In many ways our lives are a series of ebbs and flows of seasons. There was a season for me when I simultaneously experienced rejection & betrayal in three unrelated circumstances from people I trusted and cared a lot about. It was a very hard and difficult season! Any one of these circumstances would have been enough hurt and pain to make a mark on my soul for a lifetime, yet three of them in one season was such a heavy burden it became a personal crucible that opened a door of deeper understanding on the subject of rejection & betrayal.
In one dimension I wanted to defend myself and try to get people to “understand”, yet in another dimension I knew that would only complicate the circumstances and be counterproductive to the sustainability of the relationships.
For several weeks I privately carried a question in my heart – “What is the proper way to respond to rejection & betrayal?” One morning I was up early taking a walk as the sun came up and a simple thought crossed my mind – “I need to embrace the pain, stop trying to fix or change the circumstance, simply embrace the pain and heal.” I knew this was the answer to the question and the culmination of the lesson of this season. I went back to my house and wrote the guitar part and first draft of this song. I finished it with my co-writer a few days later.
Embracing the Pain
co-written with Chelsea Garrett
I feel the edge of a dagger – in the hand of a friend
An’ it does not hold honor – love or comprehend
That the blade is only inches – from the center of my heart
And the pain is slowly dripping – from the most tender part
While I am embracing the pain – the wind and the rain
Running from the hurt – doesn’t make it go away
So I’ll stand in the moment – to rest, hope and pray
Call on better angels – to lead and show the way
In the play called betrayal – is an old familiar scene
Where one is holding the weapon – while one gently bleeds
The crowd holds its breath – at the scene of the crime
Yet doesn’t lift a finger – and finds a shadow to hide
Musicians:
Scott Schultz: Producer, Engineer, Drums
Kevin Troyer: Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals
Rob Muzick: Electric Guitars
Johnny Stanton: Bass
Josh Schultz: Keys & Organ
Jim Ed Hodges: Fiddle
Carissa Eldridge: Background Vocals
Mastered by: Scott Schultz
All Tracks recorded at Raindrop Studios, Nashville Tennessee
All lyrics ©Kevin Troyer & recordings ©7th Rest Publishing
Photography by Paul Sherar, PaulSherar.com
co-written with Chelsea Garrett