31 Songs I Listen to When I Need Hope
My Spiritual Pathway is music which means I relate to God through music. Lately, as I have been dealing with depression, I have been using this pathway to have God lead me back to His fellowship. Music has always been important to me. I want to share my Hold onto Hope playlist with my readers.
Shackles Praise You
1. The first song on my list is a call to action. It lets me know that, when the devil tries to steal my joy, I can fight back with the son. Here is "Shackles Praise You” by Mandisa which we first heard her sing on American Idol.
Even If
2. When I first heard “Even If” by MercyMe, I just bawled. It moved me so very much. It was written after lead singer, Bart Millard, shared his son’s health concerns with a friend.
Bart is quoted to have said, “This song is a declaration to God that even if He went silent and never said another word, He’s still worthy to be praised and that He’s our greatest hope in the midst of the trial.”
I was going through my own trial and this song just hit a vulnerable spot within me.
Overcomer
3. I love Mandisa! She is like a CHEER-leader for God. When I feel down and need that hope and joy jump-started in my soul, she is my go-to girl. "Overcomer" is a great fight-song and ‘Disa delivers!
I am Not Alone
4. “I am Not Alone” by Kari Jobe reminds me that even if I can’t see anyone close, I am not alone in my struggles. God is always there!
Stronger
5. "Stronger" is another Mandisa song. It reminds us that the pain we are going through is going to make us stronger and we are to hang on a little bit longer.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5
I Will Rise
6. Chris Tomlin belts out "I Will Rise" for my next song. There’s a peace that I have known though my heart and flesh may fail. There’s an anchor for my soul. I can say, “It is well.”
He Knows
7. Jeremy Camp’s "He Knows" is another song that has brought tears to my eyes and, if you ever get to see the movie with his story, I highly recommend it.
Trust in You
8. Another song about trusting God despite God not seeming to come through and answer prayer like we want is "Trust in You" by Lauren Daigle.
God Only Knows
9. Others may not know what you are going through, but God does in "God Only Knows" by For King and Country.
Never Going to Steal My Joy
10. One issue with depression? The depressed person has allowed someone to steal their joy. Often these people relive the words of an emotional abuser, and, after a while, it is hard to keep a tight grasp on one’s joy. That is when you have to say it is "Never Going to Steal My Joy". (Mandisa)
Shoulders
11. God is also our father, our loving daddy, and when things get too hard that you just can’t go any farther, what does your daddy do? He swings you right up on his Shoulders and He carries you the rest of the way. (For King and Country)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10
One Step Away
12. Even if you made a mistake, you are only One Step Away from His help, His love, His forgiveness, His Hope, His righteousness. (Casting Crowns)
Never Once
13. Matt Redman sings a song called “Never Once” that brings me to tears every time I hear the chorus. Never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did he leave us on our own…
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
Praise You in This Storm
14. Even when storms threaten to overtake us, we can still praise Him in Casting Crown’s "Praise You in this Storm".
You Never Let Go
15. Matt Redman reminds us that “Even when I walk in the valley of shadow of death, His perfect love is casting out fear and even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life, I won’t turn back. I know He is near.” in "You Never Let Go".
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them.
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do.
I will never let them go alone.
Isaiah 42:16
Because He Lives
16. Back in the 1970’s Bill Gaither penned "Because He Lives", and it still is one of my favorite gospel songs. Listen as Carrie Underwood puts her spin on it.
How You Live
17. I first heard this song during my cancer when my church choir gave me a C.D. to cheer me up and "How You Live", by Point of Grace, was on it. It’s message? Live in the moment. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Take stock on what is important!
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:31-34
Bring The Rain
18. It was a normal weekday in November 2008, and I had just walked out of a post-op doctor’s appointment with my gynecologist. I recently had a total hysterectomy including removing a grapefruit-sized tumor. During this appointment she had announced that this was not a benign tumor as previously thought. It was malignant.
As I got in our car to drive away, I was in a state of shock. Then someone turned on the radio and immediately “Bring the Rain” by MercyMe filled the car causing me to burst into tears. It is a song that illustrates how we can see God through the rain in our lives.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
What Faith Can Do
19. God always seems to bring out a song when I am going through a tough time and need His assurance. In 2010 Kutless came out with the song “What Faith Can Do.”
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
All to Him
20. “All to Him" by New Life Worship reminds us that any problem we have, God is much bigger than the problem.
“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My loving-kindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the LORD who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
One Thing Remains
21. "One Thing Remains" by Passion: God's love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Jesus, Take the Wheel
22. Carrie Underwood is going through a rough patch and begging God to take her life in His hands. "Jesus Take the Wheel".
I know what you are thinking! A Praise song? Of course, it is! No one has ever accused me of not being well rounded and I am not just talking about my weight. I have been a fan of Carrie Underwood since her time on American Idol. As you will see, she does Praise quite well!
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6
Mighty to Save
23. "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong was also a staple on my cancer playlist.
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
Healer
24. Healer by Kari Jobe is about God being all we need through life's circumstances.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you. Isaiah 43:2
Oceans
25. Remember when Jesus called Peter out upon the waves? Peter was fine as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus but as soon as he turned to look at the waves, he started to sink. That are where we are called to gaze in Oceans by Hillsong. At Jesus.
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” – Psalm 34:17, NIV
All Who are Thirsty
26. All Who Are Thirsty by Kutless invites those of us who are thirsty or weak to His fountain to get refreshed.
The one on the throne said to me, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give free water from the spring of the water of life to anyone who is thirsty. Revelation 21:6
Live Like You're Loved
27. Live Like You’re Loved by Hawk Nelson reminds us of who we are in Christ, and we are to live as a testimony to His love.
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Strong Enough
28. Strong Enough by Matthew West reminds us that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Hab. 3:19)
It is Well
29. It is Well by Kristene DiMarco is based off the age-old hymn, "It is Well with My Soul." Just think how it would be to have enough faith to command the mountain to be thrown into the sea!
After Jesus left in a boat with his disciples, a terrible storm suddenly struck the lake, and waves started splashing into their boat. Jesus was sound asleep, so the disciples went over to him and woke him up. They said, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
But Jesus replied, “Why are you so afraid? You surely don’t have much faith.” Then he got up and ordered the wind and the waves to calm down. And everything was calm.
The men in the boat were amazed and said, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him.” Matthew 8:23-27
Drops in the Ocean
30. If you ever question how much Christ has forgiven you, it is more than the Drops in the Ocean by Hawk Nelson
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
This is Where the Healing Begins
31. It does not matter what you do or don't do. Christ wants you to come as you are because This is Where the Healing Begins. (Tenth Ave North)
Sometimes, when I am down in that pit, the only way to escape is to think about His promises because He is always with me even when I cannot feel Him there.
I hope you have been as blessed with these songs as I have been.
What are songs that have helped to lift your spirits or let you know God still cares? There are so many that are coming out all the time, it is impossible to keep up with them.