12/4/24
Last week I was talking about the power of thankfulness and the impact it has on our life – physically, relationally, emotionally, and spiritually. I mentioned the Apostle Paul as a beautiful example of one who continuously gave thanks to God right in the middle of his suffering, and the supernatural results he experienced because of that thankfulness.
He was bound with chains in a dark prison cell. And he began to sing songs of worship to God. Boy, how I would have loved to have heard those songs. Wouldn’t you? Regardless of his present circumstances, Paul was expressing his trust and faith in an awesome and worship-worthy God. I asked, “Who sings songs in the prison cell?”
Okay, shameless plug. My new book Another Beautiful Life: A Christian’s Journey to finding peace and hope in brokenness has now been released. You can find it on Amazon right now. And if you’re listening to this episode as it drops – Wednesday Dec. 4th – you can buy the book at a discounted price for the next two days. So pause this recording and hop over there and buy it. Buy one for a friend, too, okay?
Anyway, I talked about the Apostle Paul’s prison story in the book. And when I asked, “Who sings songs in the prison cell?” I answered it in the book. I did.
Let me read to you an excerpt from the book – Chapter 6. There are 5 sections addressing What I’ve Learned About Grieving Well. Here’s the section titled, I Can Sing Songs in a Prison Cell:
“In 2015, my dad was dying from metastatic prostate cancer and was put in hospice care. Mom and Dad lived in Kerrville, TX at the time, which was about a 5-hour drive from where I lived. I spent several weeks at a time there, trying to be as helpful as I could, but also trying to soak up every last minute I had with my dad. I would get up early before both of them so I could go for a walk and get back in time to get Dad his medicine, make breakfast, and help them get the day started.
Nestled on the banks of the Guadalupe River, Kerrville is a treasured little community that is considered the capital of the Texas Hill Country. It’s just beautiful there. My parents lived in a community full of rolling, steep hills. The early morning walks were glorious. I found myself on the same path each day just so I could end up on the peak of one of the tallest hills overlooking Kerrville. You could see for miles in every direction. This little section was a developing community with very few homes completed and a few under construction. It was quiet and a perfect place to sit on a rock, enjoy the view, and pour my heart out to God. My first time up there, I saw a large cross facing me. I was astounded by its sheer size. The cross is called The Empty Cross and is a 70 ton, seven story, massive steel cross sculpture in The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Gardens. [Image?] It was as if God had planned this spot just for me and my aching heart. I was stuck in a prison cell with no way out, fearing what was to come, captive in my pain and suffering of losing my dad, locked up and chained by my shattered heart.
On those sacred walks up the hill to meet with God, I would listen to worship music. Being a singer/songwriter, I am moved by music and find so much comfort in the simple and profound lyrics in modern worship and old hymns alike. Music is so powerful! Many times, music expresses deep emotion in ways that words alone cannot. Musical lyrics can also give expression to what we are feeling but cannot quite put into words. On many occasions I have thought, “That is exactly how I feel, I just didn’t know how to say it.” There have been many empirical studies that show how music affects our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.These studies encompass the latest research in music therapies, new technologies, and neuroscience. We know music is healing. I am convinced that it is God’s design. When we are able to express our emotions in lyrics and allow the melodies of the music to move us, we are healed just a little more. And that is especially true when our spirit is pouring out our heart’s cry to God when we feel like we are in a prison cell.
While I was in Kerrville, I was in constant contact with my dear friend, Laura, back home. She knew I was submerging myself in music to heal my heart and connect with God. One day she sent me a song that she felt would encourage me – Shoulders by For King and Country. The artist starts the song by quoting Psalm 121:2, which says,
“I lift up my eyes to the hills,
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.”
It felt right as I stood at the top of that hill. This particular Psalm is a “Song of Ascents” that believers would sing as they made their pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship. That seemed appropriate, too. I was ascending that hill in Kerrville to worship the very One Who could help me in my time of heartache, confusion, and despair; the One Who made all of heaven and earth, and rules over all; the One makes great and gives strength to all. [1 Chronicles 29:12]
“My help comes from You.
You’re right here, pulling me through.
You carry my weakness,
my sickness, my brokenness
all on Your shoulders.”
When Brian died, feeling like yet another prison cell of despair, heartbreak, and loneliness, Laura reminded me about Shoulders and encouraged me to listen again. My help and my strength still come from God, Maker of heaven and earth. I will sing songs to the One who sees me in the prison cell; the One who cares about my pain and great anguish and suffering.
There were two other songs that were on repeat for months just before his death - Even If by Mercy Me and Praise You In The Storm by Casting Crowns. I would get in my car with no particular destination just so I could I sing them at the top of my lungs. Over and over again. My soul was crying out with deep hurt and need for God’s intervention. And the lyrics of both of these songs declare that, though I know God can deliver, even if He doesn’t, I will trust Him, lean on Him, and declare His Sovereign majesty. Right in the middle of the prison cell, I will praise Him. With tears streaming down my face, these are the words I would sing:
I know You're ableAnd I know You canSave through the fireWith Your mighty handBut even if You don'tMy hope is You aloneI know the sorrowAnd I know the hurtWould all go awayIf You'd just say the wordBut even if You don'tMy hope is You alone [Even if by Mercy Me]
And…
I was sure by nowGod, You would have reached downAnd wiped our tears awayStepped in and saved the dayAnd once againI say, "Amen" and it's still raining
But as the thunder rollsI barely hear Your whisper through the rain"I'm with you"And as Your mercy fallsI'll raise my hands and praise the God who givesAnd takes away
And I'll praise You in this stormAnd I will lift my handsFor You are who You areNo matter where I amAnd every tear I've criedYou hold in Your handYou never left my sideAnd though my heart is tornI will praise You in this storm [Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns]
In singing these songs and surrendering to the truth of what I was professing, I found that peace that is beyond all human understanding Philippians 4:7 talks about. It is not lost on me that a few verses before are the words, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Rejoice always. In the pain. In the heartache. In the overwhelm. In the fear. Like it is First Thessalonians 5:16-18,
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Neither of these passages are suggesting that you rejoice for the pain, heartache, overwhelm, and fear, but rejoice in the Lord evermore while you are in it. Rejoice in His Sovereign goodness. Rejoice in His power and might. Rejoice in His perfect and steadfast love. Rejoice in His careful hand that upholds you. Rejoice always and peace will come in the middle of the storm.
Freedom from the chains that bind you and the prison walls that confine you can be found in singing songs of truth and faith to the One who can swing wide the prison doors.”
I don’t want to pretend like this is easy. When we’re hurting and uncomfortable, whether that’s emotionally or physically, it takes some real determination to exercise our faith with gratitude. It’s literally a decision of the will. It’s a decision to stick with Jesus no matter what may come…or go. That’s only to our advantage, though. Because, as I’ve said before, He is the One who can do something about our situation. He’s the One who can change things in a minute, turn things around on a dime, break the chains and fling wide the prison doors.
I want to encourage you, friend. Regardless of where you find yourself today, sing a song. Psalm 96:1 tells us to sing a new song to the Lord. No matter what it actually sounds like. In fact, Psalm 100:1 says to make a joyful noise. Sing a song of thankfulness to the One who cares deeply about your pain, suffering and great anguish and can and will do something about it.
If you are finding it difficult to sing your own song of thankfulness in this season of life, I’d love to help you. I have a wait list for Life Coaching for 2025, but would love to have a brief chat to give you powerful coaching that will most definitely help now. The link to my calendar is in the show notes.
Have a wonderful week, friends. See you next Wednesday for the next episode of Another Beautiful Life.
SHOW NOTES:
Last week I was talking about the power of thankfulness and the impact it has on our life – physically, relationally, emotionally, and spiritually. I mentioned the Apostle Paul as a beautiful example of one who continuously gave thanks to God right in the middle of his suffering, and the supernatural results he experienced because of that thankfulness.
He was bound with chains in a dark prison cell. And he began to sing songs of worship to God. Boy, how I would have loved to have heard those songs. Wouldn’t you? Regardless of his present circumstances, Paul was expressing his trust and faith in an awesome and worship-worthy God.
When you are suffering, it may be hard to find your “thankfulness.” And you might ask, “why on earth do I even need to? Can’t I just have a minute here to be really sad?” Well, yes. Do that. But don’t stay stuck there.
Thankfulness lowers feelings of depression and anxiety, bolsters resiliency, fosters higher self-esteem, and supports physical health and well-being.
Are you wondering how Life Coaching works? Would you like a free, 30-minute session? Click this link to set up a Consult Call: https://calendly.com/triciazodylifecoach/30min
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