As many of you know by now, 2017 was a challenging year for me – physically, emotionally, and mentally. I spent the first half of the year recovering from mono and started seeing an amazing counselor this summer, who has been helping me reframe my thoughts and get into a better place emotionally.
During the first half of 2017, in particular, when I was dealing with the worst of being sick, I felt alone, scared, overwhelmed, frustrated, and sad frequently. I would cry almost every day at some point because I didn’t know why I wasn’t feeling well, why I was feeling so low, and when I would feel better.
But there’s a silver lining to sickness and despair.
We realize we can’t power our way through it but need to tap into others and into a higher power in order to come out on the other side feeling a bit more whole and healed.
We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
~Romans 5
One of the ways I felt supported, encouraged and loved during this year was through music. Music has always had a special place in my life. I spent hours of my childhood and adolescence belting out the likes of Amy Grant, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Shania Twain. I sang in gospel choir in college, and connected with my now husband over a piano in a church on our college campus. I’ve sung at one of my best friend’s weddings. I never realized it until I started performing myself, but it takes a lot of work to be able to set up a performance at different venues as it takes a lot of effort to be able to move instruments from place to place. Sometimes it actually involved hiring professional piano movers so that it was done in the correct way. And every time we did this, we had to check the pricing information to ensure that we could afford it. Luckily we could, as this made the relocation of instruments to each venue much easier.
Music was a significant source of inspiration that picked up me when I was feeling desperate and alone this year. It inspired me and breathed life into me when I felt hopeless. The right song with the perfect lyrics came at just the moment, and I would often cry as it happened, feeling so seen and covered.
Music is powerful and can bring us through times of trial and tribulation. It has for me this year. Below are a few of the songs broke into my heart this year. They came on the radio (95.1 WRBS) or on Pandora at the exact moment I needed them. They gave me hope, comfort and life. I hope they do the same for you or someone you love. Share them with a friend or family member going through a tough time. You never know what song might touch their soul and bring them hope and healing.
Inspiring Songs that Got Me through 2017
They say it only takes a little faith
To move a mountain
Well good thing
A little faith is all I have, right now
But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Oh give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul
You’ll worry your life away
Oh don’t worry your life away
You can’t change a single thing by freaking out
It’s just gonna close you in
Oh don’t let the trouble win
But you’re not on your own
He started something good and He’s gonna complete it
So I’ll celebrate the truth
His work in me ain’t through
I’m just unfinished
Truth is harder than a lie
The dark seems safer than the light
And everyone has a heart that loves to hide
I’m a mess and so are you
We’ve built walls nobody can get through
Yeah, it may be hard, but the best thing we could ever do, ever do
‘Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy’s waiting on the other side
If we’re honest
Just because you’re broken
Doesn’t mean you’re hopeless
Go ahead and turn the page
Don’t be afraid of better days
Put the past behind you
Grace has redefined you
You don’t have to stay this way
There’s a wound that still reminds you
Of the fear, shame and rejection
You have seen it, you have seen it
But your heart’s paralyzed, you’re so stuck
You’re past the point of trying again
You’re defeated, you’re defeated
You hear the call of your creator
I made you for more, unlocked the door
I wanna restore your glory
Breaking the dark, piercing the night
You’re made to shine
An army of hope
Bringing the world
A radiant light
A radiant light
You were made to rise, rise
Oh, how you worry
Oh, how you’re weary, from fearing you lost control
This was the one thing, you didn’t see coming
And no one would blame you, though
If you cried in private
If you tried to hide it away, so no one knows
No one will see, if you stop believing
You are not alone
In the valley I will lift my eyes to the One who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain I didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley I know I am not alone
Questions come and questions go
Was there purpose for the pain?
Did I cry these tears in vain?
I want to trust that You are near
Trust Your grace can be seen
In both triumph and tragedy
In the depth of my soul
In the flood or the fire
You’re with me and You won’t let go
And it’s a fight just to keep it together, together
I know you think, that you are too far gone
But hope is never lost
Hope is never lost
Hold on, don’t let go
Hold on, don’t let go
Put one foot in front of the other
You’ll, get through this
Just follow the light in the darkness
You’re gonna be ok
When I had no one to turn to
You carried me through
On your shoulders, black and blue
I never knew
The footprints in the sand were You
Were You
Now I know they were Yours all along
And you sprung a well from a heart of stone
But I was careful then what I let you see
Only thought you wanted the best of me
The more you love me, the more I know
I don’t have to be afraid to show all of me, all of me
But sometimes I still try to take control
Cause I get scared when I can’t see the end
And all You want from me is to let go
You’re parting waters
Making a way for me
You’re moving mountains that I don’t even see
You’ve answered my prayer before I even speak
All You need for me to be is still
There is a wrestling in my heart and my mind
A disturbance and a tension I cannot seem to drive
And if I’m honest, there’s quite a bit of fear
To sit here in this silence and really hear You
What will You ask of me?
Will I listen to Your voice when You speak?
Help me to move, help me to see
Help me to do whatever You would ask of me
Help me to go, God help me to stay
I’m feeling so alone here
And I know that You’re faithful
But I can barely breathe
God help me
How about you? Are there any songs that have lifted you up and inspired you in times of difficulty, pain or suffering? I’d love to know! Feel free to share them below.
Shannon Winakur
Thank you for sharing this inspirational playlist, Rachel – I will give it a listen!
Here are some songs that have helped me through hard times:
The Police – Secret Journey
Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush – Don’t Give Up
U2 – Drowning Man
KT Tunstall – Heal Over
The Beatles – Here Comes the Sun
Jem – Just a Ride
Ingrid Michaelson – Be OK
Natasha Bedingfield – Unwritten
Dave Matthews Band – Everyday
Destiny’s Child – Survivor
Sting – Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot.
Rachel Druckenmiller
Oh nice! I love a bunch of those songs, too. Survivor takes me back to college, and I love DMB! And these lyrics are awesome:
Don’t give up ’cause you have friends
Don’t give up you’re not the only one
Don’t give up no reason to be ashamed
Don’t give up you still have us
Don’t give up now we’re proud of who you are
Don’t give up you know it’s never been easy
Don’t give up ’cause I believe there’s a place
There’s a place
Where we belong
Stephanie Hoffpauir
This is such a great playlist!
Rachel Druckenmiller
Oh I’m so glad you like it! What are some of your favorite songs?