Sometimes, you just need a good playlist of Christian songs to get you through the hard days.
Today, I received news from my doctor that left me feeling defeated and deflated. Some new test results showed that I have yet another health issue that needs to be taken care of—something else to add to a long list.
I had just recently started feeling like I was making progress in my healing journey, so it’s hard to feel like I’m moving backward instead. Chronic illness doesn’t mess around!
We all have hard days. There are days that we wish we could just crawl back into bed, days where we wonder if we’re doing anything right, and days where absolutely nothing goes as planned.
And then there are the unbelievably difficult days that begin to string together—a miscarriage, losing a loved one, a scary diagnosis, becoming a single parent, and so on.
One thing’s for certain: we will always have bumps in the road and storms to weather in life.
When the Pain Won’t Go Away
I know what it’s like to live in continual pain, fearing the unknown, because I’ve lived with debilitating chronic illness for almost 4 years now.
During much of that time, I didn’t know what was causing my daily pain and discomfort. I spent day after day moving back and forth from the bed to the couch. I tried dozens of treatments, healthy diets, and supplements.
Nothing worked.
It was a scary, disheartening time for me. I saw 5 different doctors and had a ridiculous number of tests performed before I finally received a diagnosis.
The “not knowing” was honestly one of the hardest things to deal with!
Was I ever going to feel better? Would I have to live with this for the rest of my life? This isn’t how I imagined spending almost half of my 20’s!
7 Christian Songs to Get You Through the Hard Times
During the stormiest days, listening to encouraging music was one of the only things that brought me hope and comfort.
No one fully understood what I was going through—except for my Savior. I needed to be reminded of His love for me.
Maybe you can relate to that feeling.
Being reminded that He deeply loves and cares for me was exactly what I needed to hear on those difficult, pain-filled days.
I curated this list of Christian songs to get you through the hard days to encourage your soul. I hope the truths in this music will break open the storm clouds and let some light into your dark days, as they have mine!
1. Carry Me (Audrey Assad)
“Pain is a forest we all get lost in
Between the branches hope can be so hard to see
And in the darkness we’ve all got questions
We’re all just trying to make sense out of suffering…”
I’m a huge fan of Audrey’s voice, her lyrics, and her music—especially her older albums. This song is a beautiful conversation, filled with truth and timely reminders of God’s promises. Definitely check out her other music if you haven’t already!
2. Blessings (Laura Story)
“‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?”
A friend sent me this song at the beginning of my chronic illness. I was really struggling, and the words brought me to tears. Okay, I bawled. The lyrics are honest and raw, and exactly what I needed to hear that day.
3. He Will Hold Me Fast (Keith & Kristyn Getty)
“Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
He’ll not let my soul be lost
His promises shall last
Bought by Him at such a cost
He will hold me fast”
The music in He Will Hold Me Fast is gentle and comforting, and the lyrics are filled with truth and full of hope. Kristyn’s voice is gorgeous, as usual. I’ve found this song quiets my heart and reassures me of my Savior’s love.
4. Even If (MercyMe)
“But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul”
This song is a more recent discovery of mine, and has brought me to tears more than once (and I’m not a crier)! It’s powerful, and definitely one of my favorites.
I love the chorus because it’s my anthem some days, and I need to sing it over and over.
“I know You’re able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone
I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt
Would all go away if You’d just say the word
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone”
5. The Perfect Wisdom of Our God (Keith & Kristyn Getty)
“Oh grant me wisdom from above,
To pray for peace and cling to love,
And teach me humbly to receive
The sun and rain of Your sovereignty.
Each strand of sorrow has a place
Within this tapestry of grace;
So through the trials I choose to say:
‘Your perfect will in your perfect way.'”
I couldn’t resist sharing a second song from Keith & Kristyn Getty—their music is just so good! The rich lyrics and calming instrumental arrangement keep me coming back to this song again and again.
6. I Am Not Alone (Kari Jobe)
“When I walk through deep waters
I know that You will be with me
When I’m standing in the fire
I will not be overcome
Through the valley of the shadow
I will not fear”
This song reminds us over and over that God never leaves us on our own. He is always near—protecting, providing, and sheltering. He lights our path!
7. Eye of the Storm (Ryan Stevenson, feat. GabeReal)
“In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
And in the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm…”
Eye of the Storm begins and ends with the sound of rain. I love the word pictures that this more upbeat song offers. It emphasizes God’s control over the storms in our lives, no matter how bad they are. Plus, Psalm 23 is quoted at the end!
What are Your Favorite Christian Songs to Get You Through Hard Days?
Now it’s your turn to share some suggestions!
If you’re looking for a good place to listen to these songs, I personally recommend Spotify! We use the free version, and love it! It’s a great place to listen to and organize your favorite music.
Please let me know your favorite Christian songs to get you through hard days down in the comments! I’m always looking for new recommendations!
I Shall Not Want by Audrey Assad has helped me so much though some difficult days!!
That’s another great one of hers!
Here’s some songs to get you through tough times! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ezT7h8uLb87cbn4NT5IPz?si=2r-lucM9RYClyoIJEOWPeQ&dl_branch=1
I made a Spotify playlist for you to enjoy!
I think I’ve only heard 2 of those songs before! I’ll have to go give them a listen now. I find comfort in – God, You Are My God by Fernando Ortega and Be At Rest by Steve Green. They are both very quiet, peaceful songs.
Those sound so good. I love both Fernando Ortega and Steve Green!
“The Lord is My Salvation” by The Gettys and Shane and Shane.
Some of my favorites are God On The Mountain and Your Cries Have Awoken The Master! They’re very humbling reminders that everything will be ok in the end.
I’ve never heard Your Cries Have Awoken The Master! Thanks for the suggestion—I’ll have to look it up. 🙂
You See the Real Me
By Natalie Grant
No Longer Slaves by Jonathan David
That’s a great one! 🙂
Hi Lauren,
thank you for sharing these songs! Some of them I already knew, but now in times of corona and the whole insecurity coming along with it, these songs have a new importance for me. I wish you health for your chronic illness and hope that you don’t forget that God is by your side and shares your feelings.
I have two songs to add to your list: first of all “Lege deine Sorgen nieder” (lay down your sorrows) by Sefora Nelson, it’s in german and a very important song for me. And the second one is “Hills and valleys” by Tauren Wells. I found this song just a few weeks ago and really love it.
Be blessed!
Thank you so much for the encouragement, Cara! I’m definitely going to look up those two songs. 🙂
Your Love Never Fails, Newsboys
I don’t know how old this is, but it gives me some songs to look up.
I am a cancer survivor. They expect it to return at some point. I struggle with the feat daily. Jason Gray’s Remind Me You’re Here, Lydia Laird’s Hallelujah Even Here, and Zach Williams’ Fear is a Liar have all been helpful.
Nothing beats the classic “Hold me Jesus” by the late, great Rich Mullins!
I especially love the song “Redeemed” as performed on one of the Gaither homecoming recordings. It is such a joyous song!
Unable to figure out how to play any songs recommended on this website? Guess I will have to go to YOU TUBE and find some songs to help myself!
Yes, you can find them all on YouTube or Spotify! I don’t have the actual songs on my post, just some of the lyrics. 🙂
Good morning Lauren,
I woke early this morning with a lot of pain—this has been ongoing for some time—and seems overwhelming already..
The past year and a half I have gone downhill a lot, some ailments were recognized (well one), and was addressed after some time which meant surgery.. but others are ongoing and worsening—last summer I felt out of breath and so tired—and doctor after doctor/specialist after specialist not seeming to get anywhere.. last fall my voice began to decline—and just over 2 months haven’t been able to speak at all.. the pain throughout my body is so excruciating and find it hard to pick things up/to walk/sit/lay down.. swelling too..
I have two adult daughters.. one married the other living common law and both have health problems (BPD/Depression/Anxiety—struggling to go on each day).. and both have 2 children..
They have turned away from
The Lord—and my deepest prayer is that they will turn back to Him..
This morning when I woke.. the lyrics to the song “Never Leave Your Side” (by Hannah Kerr) was on my mind.. I opened my mail to two Devotionals that were so incredibly fitting and what I needed to hear ‘right now’..
In my search for the full lyrics, I came upon your page/blog in search of the song.. reading your story I felt this overwhelming sense of compassion/understanding and sympathize with you in your continuing illness/pain.. I’m so sorry.. I don’t know what you are struggling with/diagnosed with.. but my prayer is that God gives you strength for each day—courage—and Peace—knowing He loves and cares for you so much
Thank you for sharing of your journey in hopes of helping others—you’ve given me just a little more hope to continue on—the days are so hard.. and I feel so lonely and cry much of the time.. feeling alone in this time.. and like no one understands.. but God does
May God Bless you—and Bless your day
Hi Pearla, Your comment really touched my heart, and I have prayed for you more than once! Thank you for the encouragement. It’s so easy to feel like no one understands! It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through by far, and it can be a lonely journey. Not having answers is hard; I know that feeling well. I pray that the Lord gives you answers, healing, and hope! He is faithful.
Hello, I’m researching a song with the lyrics “when life gets tough..weather the storm”, I believe the artist is Gloria ?? And it came out in 1990 (?)
That’s the year my brother passed and this song got me through time times.
There is a song (I keep thinking by Csting Crowns but I may be wrong)..beautiful song about how messy life is until we see the tapestry of life from the other side, God’s point of view and what a beautiful tapestry it is. Anyone know the song?
More than anything
Natalie Grant
“When It Hurts” by Hillsong United
“Oceans” by Hillson United
“Who am I” by Chad Graham
“The Anchor Holds” by Ray Boltz
“It is Well with my Soul” many artists.
The original writer of “It is Well with My Soul” wrote the song afyer losing his wife and 3 daughters to the sea when the ship they were on sank.
We are made to worship…and humans will naturally worship something wheather it be money, spouse, our children or our God. However, the only time we will have returned joy is when we praise the God we were built to praise. It is easy to praise God when life is easy. God is most moved when we praise Him when we are in pain and are hurting too much to feel like praising Him. This is when our praise is a sacrifice of ourselves. God always honors us when we choose to offer a sacrifice. A sacrifice of praise is a sweet aroma to the Lord that always moves the heart of God. Such a sacrifice is an invitation for God to move in miraculous ways. Remember Paul and Silas who praised God in prison (in a day where prisoners were severely beaten and left for dead) and the walls shook and the gates opened! And they chose to stay rather than escape and the jailer believed because of their faith! How powerful God’s miracles are when we allow him to use us as a witness and tool for Him! For it is when we are broken and weak that His strength can be seen through us, since the strength could not have come from ourselves!
Many of you here already know this, as you have reminded me with your list of songs, so this share is for those who did not know. But also, thank you for everyone here that listed a song to remind me of what I knew when I was younger. Thank you.
I have received word that my daughter is not doing well. While looking for Christian encouragement to send her, I came across your website.
First, you are on my prayer list and in my prayers. “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
Second, thank you for reminding me of “Blessings” Laura Story, “Even If” Mercy Me, and introducing me to new songs.
Finally, a few songs I would recommend are Clint Brown “I Have A Friend”, Kirk Franklin “My Life Is In Your Hands”, James Fortune “I Am”, Phil Driscoll and also Benita Jones’ renditions of “Because He Lives” and “Hiding Place” The New Jersey Mass Choir.
I absolutely love ‘They that wait on The LORD’ by Phil Driscoll
I’m looking for a song and I’m thinking it’s called “Hope You’re Having a Good Time There”
I have a couple favorites including “Hard Season” by Matthew West, which has significantly helped me during recent troubles. Another helpful song, also by Matthew West, is “What A Day”
Still, My Soul be Still (Getty) really helped me so much during my first bout with cancer. And the second bout, the Lord gave me the song “Whate’er My God Ordains is Right. Such encouraging songs!