Christian artist Forrest Frank, known for songs such as “Good Day” and the viral internet dance sensation “Your Way’s Better,” broke his back while riding a skateboard in late July.
While on bed rest, Frank wrote a song declaring that “God’s Got My Back” and released a video about it.
@hiforrestt broke it skateboarding 3 days ago 🤪
Two weeks later, Frank’s back was miraculously healed, leading some to question the legitimacy of the accident. While Frank’s video from bedrest blew up on social media, other Christian recording artists saw it as an opportunity to make some content.
One such musician was Cory Asbury, formerly of Bethel Music and known for songs such as “Reckless Love” and “Endless Alleluia.” Asbury posted a parody video, pretending to be recovering from a vasectomy and wanting to write a song about it.
Asbury’s video quickly came to Frank’s attention, and he made another video reacting to it.
Frank reported seeing 10 to 20 similar posts from Christian artists making fun of “probably the most traumatic moment” of his life.
“I can totally understand the fact you guys are just having fun” and “probably not even thinking that I’m going to see it,” Frank said. “But this raises a really interesting conversation, because there’s no seatbelt on social media,” he said, referencing the example that Christian musicians set for children on these platforms.
Frank then wrote the verse and chorus of a song relating to the pain of words and feeling misunderstood — and invited Asbury to collaborate with him in making it.
@hiforrestt Not here to throw stones or point fingers…just being honest that it doesn’t feel awesome to see. I think this touches on a bigger topic that could be really production to talk about if you’re willing to go deep with me @Cory Asbury …want to write a verse?
Evidently, Frank’s video made it back to Asbury, who posted another video reflecting on “social media and grace.”
In that one, Asbury apologized for making light of Frank’s situation and shared some of his own traumatic experiences before adding a verse and chorus to Frank’s song.
@coryasbury Got a pretty sobering reality check today. @forrest frank, you’re right, there really is no seatbelt on social media. I hopped on a trend without thinking, and I’m genuinely sorry for that. But I’m also hopeful because I know God doesn’t waste moments like these. He can take even our missteps and use them to redirect us, teaching us how to walk in grace and move forward with more wisdom and love.
Since those videos aired, Frank and Asbury have exchanged contact information and gotten to know each other over a phone call. After talking to Asbury, Frank said, “Within a few seconds, I felt resolution” and by the end of the call, he was telling himself, “I think I have a new best friend.”
Frank reflected on judging Asbury by his past content. Now, the Lord has shifted his heart, and he wants to get to know Asbury better. “Let’s reach out to each other directly,” Frank says. “You’re worst enemy could become your best friend in one phone call.”
Asbury responded by saying he feels the same way and was inspired to write another verse and chorus to the song.
@coryasbury 2 friends are just 1 call away. Honestly feels like I’ve lived a year’s worth of wisdom in just a few days. I’ll still be my weird/wild self on here (can’t help it), but maybe with a bit more discernment 😅😅. I see now how some of my old posts could land wrong. I’ve always been a challenger and a button-pusher, but I own the mistakes. What I love most is watching how God can take even this and spark a bigger, better conversation.
Already, at least one teenage boy has reported reconsidering the way he treats fellow students after hearing the song.
Check out the lyrics Frank and Asbury have written thus far. I for one hope they finish writing and producing it:
Sometimes words
Hit you in the chest
Sting you like a bee
And rob you of your rest
And heaven knows sometimes
People try to mean well
But trauma from their past
Got em’ stuck inside of hell
It’s OK if you feel misunderstood
There’s a man who did as well
When they nailed him to wood
And even through all the pain
Still, he forgave them
So I can forgive somebody too
Sometimes words
Can cut so deep
It’s hard to be kind
When anger’s all you’ve seen
The shadow of home
Can stretch long through the years
And cover up the sunshine
Even when the sky is clear
It’s OK if you feel misunderstood
There’s a man who did as well
When they nailed him to wood
And even through all the pain
Still, he forgave them
So I can forgive somebody too
Sometimes two friends
Are just one call away
Years full of hurt
Can be healed in a day
Because we’re all part of
One family
So who am I to
Chop down a family tree?
It’s OK if you feel misunderstood
There’s a man who did as well
When they nailed him to wood
And even through all the pain
Still, he forgave them
So I can forgive somebody too
Austin Roscoe is The Stream’s web coordinator.
