Unfixables

Song Meaning

Steven Curtis Chapman's "Unfixables" isn't a chirpy Sunday school anthem; it's a raw, honest wrestling match with faith in the face of relentless reality. Chapman, known for his deeply personal songwriting, grapples with the chasm between the idealized gospel he grew up with and the messy, broken world we actually inhabit. The song's core hinges on the acknowledgement of life's "unfixables" – those problems, traumas, and existential aches that defy easy solutions or comforting platitudes. It's a brave admission, particularly coming from an artist often associated with unwavering optimism. The brilliance of "Unfixables" lies not in pretending these problems don't exist, but in finding a fragile, tenacious hope within them. It's a mature faith, one that acknowledges doubt and pain without succumbing to despair. The song meaning isn't about finding quick fixes; it's about the slow, often agonizing process of trusting in something larger than ourselves when everything feels beyond repair. Chapman touches on universal anxieties—disease, loss, and the frustrating gap between the world as it is and the world as it should be. The repeated invocation of trusting God with these "unfixables" becomes a mantra, a lifeline in the face of overwhelming uncertainty. The lyrics, while rooted in Christian theology, resonate with anyone who has ever felt helpless in the face of life's challenges. It's a song about surrendering control and finding solace in the promise, however distant, of eventual restoration. Ultimately, "Unfixables" offers a poignant perspective on faith as a journey, not a destination. The bridge, with its imagery of living "between these ruins and the restoration," encapsulates this tension perfectly. It's a space of waiting, of hoping, of clinging to the belief that beauty will eventually rise from the ashes. The repeated affirmation that God is "makin' all things new" serves as both a comfort and a challenge. It's a reminder that even in the midst of the unfixable, there is still the possibility of transformation, of finding meaning and purpose in the brokenness. Chapman’s "Unfixables" acknowledges the weight of the world, yet dares to suggest that even the heaviest burdens can be carried with a glimmer of hope.