5 Songs to Blast When Your Heart is Grieving
If you’ve ever been a part of a club, you know you’re surrounded by a community of like minded individuals.
Grief is like an anti club. Instead of being bonded by similar interests, you’re instead thrust into a group of those who would all rather choose a different means of mental state.
As a child, I attended more somber funeral luncheons than celebrated wedding receptions. It’s no wonder my little empath heart learned early on not only what grief was, but how it made everyone feel. Or so I thought (as most people do).
Then my father died. I was 20 and my brother was 15. Personally experiencing grief in this magnitude was the prerequisite to a club I never wanted to belong to.
Maybe you feel that way, too. Maybe you – like me, like my husband – have lost those closest to you, those you thought would be with you forever (like Simba pondering with Mufasa if he would always be with him).
The thing is, grief doesn’t discriminate. It comes at any age, in any season, for any reason. It is never welcome. And, contrary to what others will tell you, once you are in the club, you’re always in the club. The feeling doesn’t go away. It barely gets better.
Instead, grief is like a wound. You apply a bandage to stop the bleeding and allow the blood to clot. When you rip that bandaid off, the sting is hard and fast. The initial pain is gone, and it may not gush blood anymore – it may even scar – but the sting happens no matter how many times you rip the bandage off. From there on out, every other cut or scrape that grazes that area reminds you of the initial wound.
That’s how it felt when my great grandma – my everything – went to be with Jesus last year. Just four days short of her 102nd birthday, the wind beneath my wings took her last breath at home, surrounded by those who loved her most.
The hot tears, aching in your gut, and pounding in your chest are the welcome committee of the grief club knocking on the door of your heart.
“Hey girl. It’s me. Open up.”
Rather than bolt the door and draw the curtains, I’ve learned to welcome grief. Letting myself feel the pain of the loss allows me to fully experience the strength and peace that can only come from Christ.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 ESV
This psalm was written by King David, a man after God’s own heart. David had an eloquent way of describing the omnipresence of God in a humanly relatable way. I love this Psalm because, when we break it down, we see that the world abounds with instances of those who can fully understand this language.
Sister, if your heart is grieving while you read this, I hope you can take heart in the promise that you are not alone. When our arms are clenched against our stomach, our knees are pressed against the floor, the creator of the universe is holding you in the palm of His hand. He has the power to give you peace that surpasses all understanding.
I don’t write these words expecting them to ignite some grand allusion that grief can – or even should – instantly be alluded with a prayer or by reading some scripture.
Instead, I hope this encourages you that even in our grief, God is good. He is near. And there is hope. Even when it doesn’t feel like it.
That is why I wanted to share five worship songs I love to blast when the bandage is torn and the sting is raw. These words and melodies help my soul remember that even in the hard and the hurting, there is a sovereign God who will wipe away every tear one day.
Until that day, turn these up.
5 Songs to Blast When Your Heart is Grieving
- The Blessing – Kari Jobe
Why I love it: I sang this song at my great grandma’s funeral. I could barely echo the chorus as my tears turned into a waterfall, violent and uncontrollable.
Favorite verse: In the morning, in the evening In your coming, and your going In your weeping, and rejoicing He is for you, He is for you
- Even When it Hurts – Hillsong UNITED
Why I love it: This song is so real. No one ever said this Christian life was going to be easy. There is no prosperity gospel in the Bible. Instead, the pages are saturated with the truth that this life is HARD, but there is still HOPE.
Favorite verse: Even when the fight seems lost I'll praise You Even when it hurts like hell I'll praise You Even when it makes no sense to sing Louder then I'll sing Your praise, I will only sing Your praise
- Remember – Lauren Daigle
Why I love it: It’s easy to remember how faithful and sovereign God is when were living in lush valleys and bustling seasons. It’s another thing to remember when our hearts are aching and the hills are high and the weight of despair is heavy. Yet – God is the same always, never changing, no matter what circumstance or season we are in.
Favorite verse: I will lift my eyes even in the pain Above all the lies, I know You can make a way I have seen giants fall, I have seen mountains move I have seen waters part because of You
- Thy Will – Hilary Scott
Why I love it: A friend sent this to me after I suffered a tragic miscarriage. The raw emotion and haunting melody echo my souls surrender of confusion, anger, and ultimate hope in the sovereignty of God.
Favorite verse: I know You’re good But this don’t feel good right now And I know You think Of things I could never think about It’s hard to count it all joy Distracted by the noise Just trying to make sense Of all Your promises Sometimes I gotta stop Remember that You’re God And I am not
- Brave Heart – Tasha Layton
Why I love it: Tasha’s words always feel like they’re coming right out of the diary of my heart. It doesn’t matter how great the grief is we feel, because we have an even greater God that can take that grief and use it in mighty ways for His glory.
Favorite verse: Look at how far you've come And you're still breathing You've got a brave heart Such a brave heart Maybe there's someone out there Who needs to know that They've got a brave heart
Can I pray for you?
Lord, thank you so much for faithfulness, for the promise that even in the hurting, our hearts can take refuge in your sovereignty. Forgive us when we forget that you alone are the giver of peace. I know all too well how easy it is to turn to the things of this world for comfort amidst the chaos. I ask, Father, that you would hold us up in your strong hand, that you would remind us of your goodness, and encourage us in hope. May we always give our all to you – the good and the grief. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you’re like me, your heart speaks in music. Here is my favorite Spotify playlist to cry to.
Do you have a favorite song that didn’t make the list? Let me know!
