Finding God in the Ups and Downs: A Review of Forrest Frank’s Song

Life is full of ups and downs, and sometimes it feels like we’re running out of time to get things right. That’s exactly what Forrest Frank captures in his song Ups and Downs, from the deluxe version of his album Child of God. This song resonates deeply because it reminds us that God is with us in every season, no matter how difficult things may seem.

The Struggle of Feeling Behind
The song opens with the lines:

“You’ve been running low for miles trying to find home, but the sun’s going down.”

These words hit hard because they describe a feeling so many of us experience — being lost, exhausted, and desperate for things to change. Life can feel like a race where everyone else is ahead, and we’re struggling just to keep up. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, believing that if we don’t achieve certain milestones — buying a house, landing a dream job, or starting a family — within a specific timeframe, then we’ve failed.

But why do we feel this pressure? Why do we let society’s timeline dictate our own sense of worth? More importantly, why do we question God’s timing?

Trusting in God’s Timing
I can relate to this struggle personally. When I applied to dental school, I didn’t get in right away. I had to go through a post-baccalaureate program and take two gap years before finally starting my journey. At the time, I felt discouraged, thinking I was behind compared to my peers. I worried about being the oldest in my class and not measuring up.

But looking back, I now see that I wasn’t ready — mentally, spiritually, or emotionally — to start dental school straight out of undergrad. If I had rushed into it, I might not have made it to graduation. God’s timing was better than my own, even though I couldn’t see it at the time.

If something hasn’t happened in your life yet, it doesn’t mean God is saying “No.” It simply means He’s saying, “Not yet.” His plans are perfect, and He knows when the right moment will come.

Overcoming Loneliness and Insecurity
Another powerful line from the song says:

“Trying to figure out why you still feel alone, fake another broken smile so that nobody knows.”

This reminds me of a time in my life when I was single and struggling with insecurity. I felt like I had to put on a mask, pretending to be confident even when I wasn’t. Sometimes, we try to take matters into our own hands because we don’t trust that God has a plan for us.

If I had known back then that God had already chosen my wife for me, I wouldn’t have needed to fake a smile. I would have been excited, knowing that my future was already in His hands. And the same goes for anyone who is single, going through a breakup, or feeling lost — God is already preparing the right person for you, just as He is preparing you for them.

Final Thoughts
Ups and Downs is such a powerful song because it speaks to our everyday struggles — feeling lost, comparing ourselves to others, and questioning God’s plan. But through it all, the message remains clear: God is with us in every season, and His timing is always perfect.

If you haven’t listened to this song yet, I highly recommend it. And if you enjoy Christian music and want more song reviews, let me know in the comments! Music has a way of speaking to our souls, and Christian music, in particular, offers encouragement and inspiration that we all need.

If this review resonated with you, feel free to like, comment, and subscribe. I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions for future reviews. Until next time, keep trusting God through all the ups and downs!