We all know that music speaks in ways that normal words most of the time just can't. That definitely holds true in my life. And even though I don't write or play music, I do relate to it. These are 20 songs that have helped me feel understood; helped me feel that I'm not alone in my life. Listen to them if you want. And who knows, maybe you'll find they help you feel the same way. So, in no particular order...
1. Second Guess Girl by Sara Groves
This song needs no explanation. It's just so perfect at describing what it feels like when you're forced to make a hard decision, and when you're still figuring out who you are. It's a transition position that I've been in quite often lately, so I really appreciate her transparent honesty here.
2. Breathe by Jonny Diaz
The first time I heard this, I was in a heap of chaos and insanity on my way to a meeting after a day of feeling like a crazy person. My mind was on everything but God, and I had no intention of sitting to just "Breathe"... Then Jonny Diaz came on the radio, and I cried. Now it's my theme song.
3. Choose To Love by Francesca Battistelli
Oh, how Francesca Battistelli always manages to pin point exactly what I'm going through. Choosing to love is one of my greatest daily struggles. Opening up to love requires trust, and my trust has been broken enough times for this to be extremely difficult for me. I've been choosing to love more and more often lately, and this song is a large part of the reason.
4. How I Ended Up Here by Jason Gray
Once again, wow... I have never heard a song with more honesty and accuracy to my life situation than this one right here. As an introvert, it is so tempting to just hide away and never share life with anyone. After listening to this 8 or 9 times the first time I heard it, though, I realized exactly how destructive pushing people away can be.
5. Revolutionaries by Bethany Dillon
Straying from what's considered "the norm" is the center of all the hardest things I've had to do in my life so far. Jumping on the bandwagon and taking the easy road is always a temptation, but it's SO much more worth it to take the harder path! Life has taught me this time and again already, ever since I decided to be a Revolutionary.
6. Whole by Jessa Anderson
The line that caught my attention here is "If death was beginning instead of end, than who I am now was determined then." The fact that my life was determined and guaranteed because of the death of Christ is just crazy! Because of his sacrifice, I don't ever have to worry about feeling "Whole". Because, with Jesus, I already am.
7. Brave by Moriah Peters
I'm not exactly the bravest person. In fact, I'm quite the opposite in most situations. Because of this I decided to make my New Years resolution for 2015 a challenge to "Live Bravely" and, holy cow, a challenge it has been. This song came out pretty close to the same time that promise was made, and it instantly became my battle cry for the year, encouraging me to take leaps that I've never taken before.
8. Can't Live Without You by Owl City
I love that Adam Young takes a style of music that is mostly popular in secular circles, and transforms it by creating Christian lyrics and stories to go along with it. Because he goes through a lot of anxiety just like I do, I relate to his music a ton. It always reminds me that I'm never alone.
9. Press On by Building 429 (Feat. Blanca Callahan)
The truth in this song speaks volumes. Just the fact that I am a mess, and yet God calls me his own and created my every flaw with a meaning. It's more than I could ever ask for, and it allows me to "Press On" in a way that I could never accomplish without Him. Life goes on, but He's all I need.
10. Losing by Tenth Avenue North
Being different has been my way of life since I was very, very young. Most Christians can relate to that fact. Because of this, I definitely know what pain feels like. Rejection and brokenness are a common theme in my story, but God has always been there to pick up the pieces. Forgiveness is definitely a struggle, but it's a struggle worth having.
11. Awake My Love by I Am They
Even in the times when I'm hurting, and wonder what God is up to, He always finds a way to send me something to smile about. God is the noble treasurer of my heart, the intimate lover of my soul, and he "Awakes My Love" in new and wonderful ways every single day. I love Him with everything in me.
12. 3:42 A.M. (Writer's Block) by MercyMe
Being a writer, it's always challenging on those nights when the words just won't come like I want them to. What I've discovered, though, is that those nights are usually a sign that I need to lay my novel and my characters at the feet of God, and allow him to make up what I lack. The stories He writes are 100% better than the ones I come up with on my own. If the idea is mine, it's a waste of time! This song greatly helps to remind me of that.
13. The Waiting by Jamie Grace
Patience... Waiting... Oh, my greatest enemy. I struggle with this so much. But each time I choose to wait instead of going forward on my own, I learn something new, and it ends up being worth the wait. If I rush into things, disaster strikes. So why is it I continue to make the same hasty mistakes?
14. Beyond Me by tobyMac
I've had the opportunity to do so many amazing and unique things in my life, and it's incredible to even think about! But whenever people ask how I do what I do, I can only tell them that I don't. God is the source of every accomplishment. All of the greatest things I've ever done were not my doing, and they were all definitely WAY "Beyond Me."
15. Want To Be Real by Chris August
Some days I get so unbelievably frustrated with the false nature of the world. I remember back when I was going through some of my particularly difficult days, I would listen to this song over and over and pray that I didn't become fake; that I would grow into a genuine and authentic lover of Christ. I wanted to simply be real, and that's still my prayer.
16. Ready Or Not by Britt Nicole (Feat. Lecrae)
Sometimes it is so much easier to simply take the background spot and leave the leadership position to someone else. However, that's not God's plan for us. As soon as we devote our lives to him, we make a promise to stand out for his name. We may be ridiculed for living out loud in that way, but it suddenly becomes a part of our nature to shine. We can't hide it!
17. I Refuse by Josh Wilson
This song is wonderful in so many ways. I relate to it so much. There was a time in my life where I had no clue what I was supposed to do in this life, and I was tempted to just sit back and not do anything. Then I discovered what my purpose was, and suddenly I couldn't stand still! It's like a flame took me over, and that flame still burns to this day!
18. Keep Making Me by Sidewalk Prophets
Even in the hardest times of my life, God was at work. Winning or losing, love and hate, joy or pain, no matter what the circumstance God is always working. He's been making me since before I was even born, and He'll be making me until the day I breathe my last. That's just how good He is.
19. I'm Not Who I Was by Brandon Heath
This song pulled me through every single one of those broken friendships and rejection situations. When a best friend betrays your trust, it's hard to bounce back. When multiple friends betray your trust at separate times, it seems nearly impossible. Listening to Brandon's words here reminded me that forgiveness was more important than anything, and that God would bring positive change through the pain. I am truly "Not Who I Was", and this song is my letter of grace to those friends.
20. My Story by Big Daddy Weave
This song is self explanatory, and completely truthful! I hope you enjoyed this journey through my history, and the music that guided me through it. God uses people and art to impact us in amazing ways, and it happens everyday. May your day be blessed with music and the glorious love of Christ!
To listen to this playlist on Spotify, click here.
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