A Song For Everything

Music is really powerful. It draws us in, captures our attention, and gives us something to cling to. The kind of music we listen to can effect our moods and outlook on life and it has the capability to bring us hope. Country singer Maren Morris wrote a song called, "A Song For Everything" in which she talks about exactly what you would guess from that title. People have written songs about almost every situation and feeling you could imagine. In our rough spots and our happiest moments relatable music can be found. The following songs are ones that I've clung to and repeated constantly in the last two weeks. Most of the lyrics communicate a message I've written about before. Some of the songs aren't necessarily "Christian" music, but they all have an uplifting message. I haven't posted all of the lyrics but I highly recommend you listen to these songs and see what you think. I wrote a little bit about each song, but it's mostly just thoughts that I get from the lyrics. So here you go, a few songs that have really helped me recently.

"Love is a Good Thing" by Andrew Peterson:

It'll wake you up in the middle of the night, it'll take just a little too much.
It'll burn you like a cinder till you're tender to the touch.
It'll chase you down, and swallow you whole, it'll make your blood run hot and cold.
Like a thief in the night it'll steal your soul, and that's a good thing.
Love is a good thing.
It'll follow you down to the ruin of your great divide,
Open the wounds that you tried to hide.
And there in the rubble of the heart that died
You'll find a good thing.
Cause love is a good thing.
Oh love is a good thing.

I have never understood love. Love hurts. Both giving and receiving it is so hard sometimes. But it will change your life, and that's a good thing. Let love into your life, it's worth it.

"Blessings" by Laura Story

We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

This song has gotten me through so much. It's hard to see the trials as a good thing, but God uses it all in our lives to shape us and bless us. Each disappointment, hardship, and trial reveals our desire for what this world can't satisfy and helps us have an eternal perspective. The storms of life should drive us closer to God, and that's a blessing.


"Homecoming Queen" by Kelsea Ballerini

Do people assume
You're always alright?
Been so good at smiling
Most of your life

Does it get hard
To have to play the part?
Nobody's feeling sorry for ya
But what if I told you the world wouldn't end
If you started showing what's under your skin
What if you let 'em all in on the lie?
Even the homecoming queen cries

I skipped some of the lyrics to this song for a reason, but the concept is really powerful. It's easy to get trapped in the role of "homecoming queen" and feel like you have to be perfect all the time. There is good news though: you don't have to be perfect. Let people see what's under your skin and show them the real side of you.

"Costume Party" by Lauren Duski

I've got this closet filled with ways for you to see me
But none of them fit me
And I walk around and play pretend so you'll believe that
I'm who I want to be
But what if I let you see who I am?
And what if I could show my flaws and not be sorry?
'Cause I'm over this whole costume party
And I can't seem to remember what it is I'm so afraid of
But it's all I've ever known
And I'm so tired of worrying about

What they must see if I leave the mask at home

This one basically has the same theme as "Homecoming Queen": Be real. Take off your mask and let people see you. 

"Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
That it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn

I will praise you in this storm

This song sums up my week. I keep praying but the storms keep coming, attempting to drown out God's voice of hope in my life. Yet every tear I've cried is held in His hands and He has never left my side through the struggles. He is faithful regardless of how many times I've been faithless. This song contains so much hope.

That's five of the songs that have meant a lot to me recently. Music has power to bring us hope and prepare our heart, use that. There is a song for almost every situation you could be in, every question you've cried out to God, and every high you've ever felt. And when you find those words that impact you, cling to them.