3 minute read 

by Bethany Rees

Annie is one of my all time favorite movies. While I was raised on the 1982 version of Annie because I’m old now, I’ve watched the 2014 Annie and loved it as well. 

Not only do I love the storyline of a girl looking for a home to belong to, but the music is fabulous. 

From the orphan’s song “Hard Knock Life” to Annie’s sunshine song of “Tomorrow,” this movie has me absolutely singing along. 

But in thinking more about the plight of the girls in the orphanage, the song “It’s a Hard Knock Life” really shares the reality that all of us could speak out about the hardships in our lives. 

No one is exempt from enrolling in the school of hard knocks, even if only for a season. 

At one point or another, we have or will have all experienced hardship, and the thing we must come to realize is that:

It's the school of hard knocks that ultimately reveals our faith and our character (or lack thereof). 

When we are forced to enroll in the school of hard knocks, the stresses that come along with it will ultimately reveal our worst characteristics spawned from any insecurities we have within our identity. 

In other words, when the hard knock life comes ‘a knockin’ our faith, character, and beliefs will all be tested. I mean, just ask the Israelites from the Old Testament. 

Don’t tell me they couldn’t sing these lyrics at several points in their history of slavery, desert wanderings, battles, and exile: 

“It's the hard-knock life for us. It's the hard-knock life for us

'Stead of treated, We get tricked.

'Stead of kisses, We get kicked."

During every trial though, they struggled to lean on their faith and trust God. They were too focused on their own misery to look up. 

My friends, if there is one thing I’ve learned from reading scripture and from my own experiences it’s this:

God is always preparing a lesson to be taught when we are enrolled in the school of hard knocks. It’s my job to trust him and to learn the lesson so my faith and character grows.

What the Bible and experience has also taught me is that that Hard Knocks Lesson is usually covered in an assignment of learning humility. 

So my friends, in all my rambling this is my point…

Everyone will eventually be enrolled in their own school of hard knocks.

But don’t fear and trust God.

Learn the lesson He has before you, let your faith and character grow, and know that:

“the sun’ll come out tomorrow.

Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun! …

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow! You’re always a day away!”

Know Better. Do Better. Live Better. Learn & Trust while in the School of Hard Knocks.

Rocks before Sand!

Scripture: 

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Theme Song: 

It’s the Hard Knock Life

Tomorrow

References Used:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.