Brian & Jenn Johnson – You’re Gonna be Okay

Brian & Jenn Johnson are writers for Bethel Music who released their only album, After All These Years, in 2017.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Brian-and-jenn-johnson-youre-gonna-be-ok-lyrics.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

This song is full of secular “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” advice.  Nowhere is God or Jesus even hinted at as the One to follow for strength, forgiveness, and newness of life.

Perhaps the Johnson’s are assuming that their audience will know that this “hope” and “light” is Jesus?  If so, they could be a LOT more explicit about it.  It can easily be interpreted 1,000 different ways.

Score: 3/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Very little is.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-4: What is this hope that is contrasted with hopelessness in one’s own strength (Proverbs 3:5-6)?  Let’s see if the Johnson’s tell us.

[Pre-Chorus]

Line 1: See commentary on Verse 1, lines 1-4.

Line 2: Repeats line 1.

[Chorus]

Lines 1 and 2: Am I the only one who thought about that one song from the 1970 Rankin/Bass Christmas special Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town?  No?  Ok good.

Lines 3-5:  What is the “light”?  Is that supposed to be Jesus (John 1:1-8, John 8:12, and Ephesians 5:14)?  As I said in section 1, this could be been clearer.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-4: In other words, fight on your own steam.  Yet, they are correct that none of us can predict tomorrow (James 4:13-15).

[Outro]

Lines 1-4: See Verse 2.

Lines 5-8: Repeats line 1.

Score: 3/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

They will conclude that you can get through life if you fight hard and are strong enough.

Anyone who follows this advice will have a better life on earth than walling in misery. Yet, they will experience hellfire after death.

Score: 3/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Self.

Score: 0/10

Closing Comments

Brian & Jenn Johnson’s You’re Gonna be Okay is a train wreck.  Their advice to follow the “light” to receive “hope” is ambiguous, though some well-meaning Christians will think this song is about Jesus.  Yet, the lyrics are unclear, leading others to easily conclude that this song is about achieving success from your own power.  Yes, this generally works out great on earth, but will leave their souls in peril, which does not bring God glory.

I cannot recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 2/10

Artist Info

Track: You’re Gonna be Okay (listen to the song)

Artist: Brian & Jenn Johnson

Album: After All These Years

Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2017

Duration: 3:07

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Hillsong Worship (Feat. Brooke Ligertwood, Chidima, Passion & Jenn Johnson) – Agnus Dei / King Of Kings Bethel Music (Feat. Jenn Johnson & Mitch Wong) – The Blood Hillsong Worship (Feat. Cody Carnes & Reuben Morgan) – Hope of the Ages Austin French – Peace on Earth The Grace Collective – Oh Holy Nights