Let Go, My Soul

I’ve been having so many conversations lately about how we command our feelings and not the other way around. What I mean by that is that feelings can be so good and so beautiful but when we allow ourselves to be ruled by them we are getting into dangerous territory. It’s easier said than done though, for sure.

Music is one of the best ways I’ve found to calm my feelings and center me when I’m feeling stressed/sad/upset/angry/generally emotional. I love to sing and make music and I’ve always been deeply moved by it, good or bad.  So it’s really important to me that I listen to songs that are full of truth when I’m believing lies.

That’s kind of how my “Victory Playlist” was created years ago, and it’s been a constant in my life and my music rotation for a while now. (For a little context and if you want to see what I was listening to in 2012, check out an old blog post I wrote about it).  It’s a constantly evolving mix of the songs that bring me the most healing and joy.

This year has been tough, to say the least. Addiction and suicide have taken people I love and there have been a whole lot of growing pains in my job, my friendships, my living situation, and my life in general. So I’ve been listening to my VP a LOT and finding more and more music to add. It’s too long at this point to list them all (but if you have Apple Music, hit me up and I’ll share it with you), but I’ve put some below that I’d highly recommend (with the videos so you can listen on the spot) and some of my favorite lyrics from each.

Do you have any go-to songs for when joy is hard to find? Let’s hear em in the comments section.

It Is Well  *this one was the inspiration for the ol’ blog title*

So let go, my soul, and trust in him
The waves and wind still know his name

He Waits For Me

And this life I’ve found
I know it’s not my own
So when I run to you it’s like I’m running home

Rest In You

Our hearts are restless

Until they find rest in You

This is where my hope lies
This is where my souls sighs
I will always find my rest in You

No Longer Slaves

You split the sea so I could walk right through it
My fears were drowned in perfect love

I Stand Amazed *I had to go with the Gaither video of this because David Phelps is maybe the greatest tenor to ever walk the earth*

How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be
How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior’s love for me

Joy

The pain will not define us
Joy will reignite us
You’re the song, you’re the song of our hearts

The dark is just a canvas for your grace and brightness
You’re the song, you’re the song of our hearts

Signature of Divine (Yahweh) 

Fortunes of kings and queens
Are wasted chasing what we’ve seen
Cause we are, by your reprieve
Beauty framed by your suffering

Lord, I Need You

Teach my song to rise to you
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on you
Jesus, you’re my hope and stay

Forgiven and Loved

Oh he died, he died to rectify my hopeless situation
And his blood commands my guilt to leave
Now on Calvary I stand
Empty pockets, open hands
Oh there is no condemnation for me

Nothing But The Blood

Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims I’ve heard upon this earth
Speaks righteousness for me
It stands in my defense
Jesus, it’s your blood

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not
As thou hast been thou forever will be

Follow You 

If the water looks too deep
And the desert looks too dry
He said, “Tell me why you’re walking when I taught you how to fly”

I Will Wait For You There

And with outstretched arms
I will sing out melodies
And my beating heart
Will pour out a symphony
Hallelujahs in the morning
Hallelujahs in the night
I will wait for you as long as I have life

You Hold It All

Your hands formed all creation
Your hands are holding me

Pieces *I have to post the full lyrics because it’s one of the most beautifully written songs I’ve ever heard.*

Unreserved, unrestrained
Your love is wild, your love is wild for me
It isn’t shy, it’s unashamed
Your love is proud to be seen with me

You don’t give Your heart in pieces
You don’t hide Yourself to tease us

Uncontrolled, uncontained
Your love is a fire burning bright for me
It’s not just a spark, it’s not just a flame
Your love is a light that all the world will see
All the world will see

You don’t give Your heart in pieces
You don’t hide Yourself to tease us

Your love’s not fractured
It’s not a troubled mind
It isn’t anxious
It’s not the restless kind
Your love’s not passive
It’s never disengaged
It’s always present
It hangs on every word we say
Love keeps its promises
It keeps its word
It honors what’s sacred
‘Cause its vows are good
Your love’s not broken
It’s not insecure
Your love’s not selfish
Your love is pure