... your tears of grief will end in tears of joy.
During times of grief, it can be extremely difficult to find a reason to worship. When I went through the period of losing my mom, I didn't feel a need or a want to worship. It was only after many years that I have been able to recognize how it is possible and important to worship God even in times of grief.
Here are five encouraging, healing worship songs I recommend to play in times of grief:
1. Even When It Hurts (Praise Song) By Hillsong United
One worship song to play in times of grief is "Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)" by Hillsong United. There has been much debate and controversy around Hillsong Church, but individuals should not tie together the entire controversy of Hillsong Church with their worship ministry known as Hillsong United. I have personally loved Hillsong United's music ever since I was in college. I first heard about them after their song "Oceans" and have enjoyed all of their music ever since. "Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)" is the perfect song to sing when you are going through grief. It will bring your heart back to the Lord, and your tears of grief will end in tears of joy.
It can be hard to listen to music when you are grieving, yet music can portray emotions in ways words cannot. This song will pull at the heartstrings, yet it will also stir your heart to action in praise. As Hillsong United sings in this song, we are to praise God even when it hurts. Even when it feels like hell is on our heels, we are to praise our great and glorious Savior. The more we praise and worship God, even amid our grief, the more our hearts will be focused on God.
If you are in need of a worship song in your time of grief, turn to this song and see how it will transform your frame of mind. It will help you feel your emotions while at the same time worshiping God. It is not impossible to praise God in our grief. In fact, we should praise God in our grief because even though we are going through grief, God is still with us, and He will never leave. The next time you are going through a season of grief, instead of shutting out the music, start playing "Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)" by Hillsong United.
2. Homeward By Benjamin Hastings
A second worship song to sing in times of grief is "Homeward" by Benjamin Hastings. This is a beautiful and inspiring song, to say the least. I cannot convey in words how much this song has helped me over the past few years. Benjamin Hastings is a wonderful songwriter and musician who is not afraid to talk about his struggles with faith and life. "Homeward" inspires us to look toward heaven and to know that even when we feel we are alone, we are never truly alone. There will be a time in the future when we will no longer have to experience grief, and this song helps remind us of this truth. Even if the grief feels like an eternity, it will not prevail throughout eternity.
Throughout our times of grief, we often feel as though we are alone. "Homeward" helps remind us that God is always with us. People may leave us, even those we are closest to, yet God always stays with us no matter what. If you enjoy "Homeward" by Benjamin Hastings, you might want to check out his discography as there are other songs on his album detailing grief, pain, and struggles with faith. When we are going through grief, we need someone with this perspective to help us feel less alone in our own battles of grief.
3. Control By For King And Country
A third worship song to play in times of grief is "Control" by For King and Country. For King and Country is known for their powerful anthems, yet this song is more personal and connects us deeply to the artists. In the song, we are reminded of the importance of giving up control to God. We are not superheroes nor are we indestructible. We are human beings who need God's help and provisions. "Control" conveys the importance of giving up all things to God and deciding to give all control over to God.
It can be scary to give up control, yet when we are going through grief, we want God to take away all of those negative feelings. We don't want to always feel sad, depressed, and a deep pain in our hearts. Instead, we want to once again have the joy, love, and peace of mind we had before the grief. While I cannot promise you that your grief will go away, I can promise you that God will walk with you through all of it. It can be hard to give up control of your thoughts, but you can give them over to God today, just as the song tells us.
4. Who Am I By NeedToBreathe
"Who Am I" by NeedToBreathe is another worship song we can play during times of grief. While this song isn't a sad song, it is a song that reminds us of the great love God has for us. In this song, we are posed with the question, "Who am I to be loved by you?" As this lyric says, who are we to be loved by God? God is infinite, and there is no limit to His power, yet as for us, we are finite human beings who are full of sin. In our times of grief, we can reflect on this truth and focus on God's great love. Who we are to God are beloved children who have placed faith in His Son.
This song can stir you to tears, yet it can help you remember your place in God's family. God loves you more than words can say, and He will be with you through every troubling time. Whether a loved one died, a relationship ended, or a friendship ended, know that God knows your grief, and He is right there with you. He never leaves your side, even when you may not feel Him. God is with you through every dark valley and every high mountain.
5. Maybe It's Okay By We Are Messengers
A fifth worship song to play in times of grief is "Maybe It's Okay" by We Are Messengers. We Are Messengers is a unique Christian band my sister introduced me to a few years ago. They come from Ireland, and their music is unlike any music I have heard before. Their lyrics get to the heart of the issue and convey biblical truths that touch your soul. "Maybe It's Okay" reminds us that it's okay for us not to be okay. During times of grief, people often want us to automatically be better or to bounce back, yet this is unrealistic. Grief takes time, and there is no way of knowing how long it will last.
"Maybe It's Okay" pulls us back to the truth of God's Word, as God never promised us that we would always be happy. Rather, we should expect difficult times and heartbreaks, death, and losses. While this is a sad reality, we do know one day, all things will be made new in Christ. This day has not become a reality yet; however, we can look forward to this day and acknowledge that it is okay to feel our negative emotions. It's okay to be sad and to grieve. In fact, crying can help us feel better. If you are in need of a worship song during times of grief, check out "Maybe It's Okay" by We Are Messengers.
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