Music is a common language for all of us. Melodies, harmonies, and underlying bass can take your mind in different directions. There are songs full of joy, praise, pain, love, and sadness that can provide catharsis to the listener. When we go through seasons of sadness and pain, we sometimes don’t have the words ourselves to pray out loud to God. The Psalms are chock-full of prayers and psalms that reach God’s ear from David’s heart: “Hear my words, O Lord, consider my lamentation. Hear my cry for help, O my King and my God, to you I pray” (Psalm 5:1-2). David knew the power of music and the need for souls to trust God through whatever pain we are facing. Follow along as I share songs that I encourage you to sing and sing along with as you trust God through the pain you are facing.
1. Bethany Dillon – Hallelujah
I remember when this song was first released in 2005, how beautiful and simple its melody and lyrics were. The lyrics that really resonated with me at the time were: “Who can hold up a star and a weary heart? Who can see it all? I’ve fallen so low, sometimes I feel so far away, but I’m not out of your reach.” Isn’t that exactly how you feel when you’re in the middle of a difficult situation? You can maintain trust in God in any situation by remembering that God sees you, your situation, and what He says about you in your absence. It’s truly enough to make anyone want to sing “Hallelujah!”
2. CeCe Winans – Believe For It
It’s safe to say that most people have heard this beautiful hymn over the past few years. I love how CeCe sings this beautifully and powerfully. I listened to this song over and over again, praying as her powerful voice sung to the heavens for me, pouring into my heart the lyrics, “We know hope is never lost, ‘Cause there’s an empty tomb. God, we’ll believe no matter what. There’s power in your name.” Yes, no matter what, we believe, trust, and hope. Sometimes you have to keep singing out loud for your broken heart to catch up with the truth. Please stand up while listening to this song and feel the power of the lyrics in your body!
3. Charity Gale, Stephen Musso – I Speak Jesus
Every 5 to 10 years, there are a few songs that hit me to the core, and this is one of them for me. If you want to be reminded of the power of speaking the name of Jesus and calling out to Him in your pain, this song is it. Not only are the lyrics great, but the instrumentals are great too! There’s a part where the drums play and my heart soars: “Across fear and all anxiety, I just want to speak the name of Jesus. To every soul trapped in depression, I speak the name of Jesus, for your name is power. You. ‘s name is life, break down every stronghold, shine through the shadows, burn like fire.’ This song uplifts my soul and reminds me that we have the Holy Spirit within us and the power of the name of Jesus to overcome suffering.
4. Elissa Figueroa – I Want to Break
When I discovered the artist Elyssa, I was first interested in the melody of this song. The beat will carry your heart along the journey of the song. I love how the lyrics are pure and simple: “Little steps and still little breaths are the way you lead me. As I patiently seek, mysteries reveal themselves to me.” I love how it reminds us that all we are asked to do is take the next step, not worry about what tomorrow will bring, but trust that God will reveal what we need when we need it. God is actually all around us, giving us messages through His Word, conversation, nature, and prayer. As she says, “It’s easy, it’s finally leaning in.” Remember, you can rely on God and take it one step at a time.
5. Francesca Battistelli – Defender (Neon Feather Remix)
This remix of “Defender” by Francesca has been a workout and walking anthem for me for years, and still pops up from time to time. “Your love will be my greatest defense. It will lead me out of the dry wastes. And all I did was praise. All I did was be still.” What really stirs my soul is when the music swells to the bridge. “When I thought you lost me, you knew where you left me. You reintroduced me to your love. You picked up all the pieces of me and put me back together. You are the defender of my heart.” God is strong and just and loves us so much. We have a friend in Jesus that we can trust no matter what happens.
6. Samantha Evert – Flowers
A friend introduced me to this song about a year ago, and when I listened to it, it felt like it was written from my own diary. “So I brought this up in a desperate prayer: Lord, why are you keeping me here? And he said to me, “Son, I am planting a seed. I am a good God and I have a good plan. Believe that you have a watering can, and one day you’ll see flowers bloom in the valley.” The gentle melody of Samantha’s voice, coupled with her heartbreakingly honest lyrics, makes me listen to this song over and over again. I love the analogy of God planting a seed in our lives, watering it with love and care, shedding pain and tears, and then we can see blessings and flowers sprouting from it all. Try this song while drinking coffee on a rainy day or while resting by the pool outside on a sunny day. That may be just what you need to feel a glimmer of hope and purpose amidst your pain.
7. Isaacs – Stand Still
This last song selection is probably the oldest of My Love on the list. If you have a chance to see Isaacs in concert, I highly recommend it. I saw them at a small church concert and at the Grand Old Opry, and they poured out their hearts equally at both concerts. This song is my favorite of theirs, and my favorite lyric is, “When the storms are raging around you and you’re being tossed around. When you’re faced with life’s decisions, you don’t know which way to go. Stop and let God move. It’s hard to stop. When you feel like you’ve reached the end, God will make a way for you. Stop and let God move.” I can’t tell you how much peace I felt listening to this song when I was going through so much pain in my life over the years. It reminds us how much we can trust God because He is always working on our behalf.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/AntonioGuillem
Mandy Smith is the proud author of Almost There: A 30 Day Journey Where Tomorrow’s Uncertainty Takes A Back Seat to the Promise of Today and loves using her writing talents to lead readers to a life of dependence on Jesus.
