Encouraging Christian Songs are a breath of fresh air. I remember feeling down while driving the grandkids to school when a song came on the radio that grabbed me. It was just what I needed for that moment.
Has that ever happened to you?
The right music has a way of lifting our spirits and giving us the courage to keep on keeping on.
How does music affect our brain and emotions?
“Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.” John Hopkins Medicine
When we listen to music, dopamine is released into our bloodstream, which in turn causes a sense of well-being and happiness.
Is it any wonder that Christian songs are a great source of encouragement?
With the effect of dopamine added to the Christian message of hope, we have ourselves a great combination.
Encouraging Christian songs for hard times
What’s a good Christian song for someone going through hard times? When feeling beat down, discouraged, or ready to give up, we need something to lift our eyes to heaven.
(1) Weary Traveler
Jesus said, “Come to me when you are weary and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (personal paraphrase)
Jordan St Cyr has captured this thought in his song Weary Traveler. Here are a few of the words:
“Weary traveler, restless soul, you were never meant to walk this road alone … it will all be worth it so just hold on … you won’t be weary long.”
It is important to remember that while life can be hard, we have something greater waiting for us in heaven. “Weary Traveler” points that out.
(2) Almost Home
This song by Mercy Me helps us remember that this earth is only our temporary home. We are just traveling through.
“Are you disappointed, are you desperate for help? … But don’t forget what lies ahead … we’re almost home … soon all of your burdens will be gone”
(3) Cry Out To Jesus
The band, Third Day, sings about the following hard times.
- Death of a loved one
- Burdens and addictions
- Loneliness
- Being a widow
Their song reminds us that Jesus will meet us where we are. We don’t first have to get our life all together. All we have to do is “Cry Out To Jesus”. Here are a few of the words:
“There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, love for the broken heart, grace and forgiveness … cry out to Jesus.”
(4) There Will Be A Day
Jeremy Camp sings this song. Here are some of the words.
” … many trials seem to never end … I hold onto this hope … There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, no more fears …”
I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to that day and this thought has sustained me in the hard times that I have gone through.
Encouraging Christian songs about healing
Many people have experienced emotional or physical brokenness, and need healing. Here are songs from Zach Williams, For King and Country, and Lauren Daigle with encouraging words.
(5) There was Jesus
Zach Williams is joined by Dolly Parton on the song, “There Was Jesus.” It is about the fact that when we know Jesus personally, He is with us every moment. We are not alone in whatever struggle we are going through.
“In the waiting, in the searching, in the healing, in the hurting, like a blessing buried in the broken pieces … even when I didn’t know it or couldn’t see it, there was Jesus … ”
(6) Shoulders
God has given us an amazing immune system that works with other parts of our body to help us heal. Because God created us this way, our healing comes from God. For King and Country has captured this well in their song, “Shoulders.”
“My help comes from you, you’re right here pulling me through, I don’t have to see to believe that you’re lifting me up on your shoulders.”
(7) Trust In You
Max Lucado once said, “Faith is not believing God will do what you want. Faith is believing God will do what is right.” This thought is echoed in Lauren Daigle’s song, “Trust In You.”
Sometimes our prayers are not answered the way we think they should be. Are we willing to trust God even in those situations?
Even faithful Biblical characters had health issues to deal with. Paul the apostle prayed earnestly to have his ailment healed and the answer was no.
Here are some of the lyrics from Lauren’s song.
“No matter what I face, you’re by my side … When you don’t move the mountains I’m needing you to move … I will trust in you.”
Encouraging Christian songs that comfort
When do people need comfort? Usually when they have experienced some kind of loss.
(8) Scares In Heaven
One of the more difficult moments in life is when someone we love has died.
Casting Crowns sings about how the scars we live with here on earth will no longer affect us when we are in heaven with Jesus. Here are some of the words from “Scars in Heaven“.
“The only scars in heaven won’t belong to me and you … no such thing as broken, and all the old will be made new.”
(9) Eye Of The Storm
When we lose people or things that are near and dear to us, it can feel like everything is out of control. These situations are often called the storms of life. Ryan Stevenson points out that God is always near and holds us together.
Ryan wrote “Eye Of The Storm” after he lost his dad to cancer and his twins to miscarriage.
“When the tears of pain and heartache are pouring down my face, I can hear the rain reminding me. In the eye of the storm, You remain in control … Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm.”
(10) Hills And Valleys
Whatever our lowest moments may be, we are not alone.
Tauren Wells sings about the valleys in life, as well as the mountain tops. With every step we take, God is with us.
“When I’m walking through the valley, I know I’m not alone. You’re the God of the hills and valleys.”
Christian Songs of hope and encouragement
Scripture says that without a vision of hope, people wither and die. (Proverbs 29:18). That might be physically, but for sure emotionally.
Even when life is relatively easy, we need to keep our vision of hope alive. We will need it when life gets rough.
(11) God Of All My Days
The song, God of all my days, captures many life situations. Recorded by Casting Crowns, it talks about:
- broken hearts
- questions about life
- running from God
- failures
- feeling weak and weary
- worry
What great hope we have that God gives us answers, rest, healing, and so much more. Here are a few of the words:
“Each step I take you make a way … my seasons change, you stay the same, you’re the God of all my days”
(12) Do It Again
Elevation Worship recorded an encouraging song about the faithfulness of God in any situation we may face.
Sometimes we won’t understand God’s timing or His ways, but we can still be confident in His character. Here are a few of the words from “Do it Again”.
“You made a way when there was no way … Your promise still stands, great is your faithfulness. I’m still in your hands, this is my confidence, You’ve never failed me yet.”
(13) Run To The Father
We all have burdens from time to time. The good thing is that God, our loving Father, wants us to go to Him with those burdens. Cody Carnes expresses it perfectly in “Run To The Father.”
“I’ve carried a burden for too long on my own. I wasn’t created to bear it alone … so I run to the father again and again and again …”
(14) Voice of Truth
Often we believe lies about ourselves. Casting Crowns reinforce the Scripture, “when you know the truth it will set you free.” (John 8:32).
The Voice Of Truth talks about how limited we are when we let our failures or circumstances hold us captive. We don’t have to listen to or believe the lies.
“But the voice of truth tells me a different story … out of all the voices calling out to me, I will choose to listen and obey the voice of truth.”
The reason behind encouraging Christian songs
These songs are encouraging because at the heart of all of them is the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. That hope started with his death, burial, and resurrection.
(15) Glorious Day
We have hope because Jesus loved us enough to restore our relationship with God the Father. Our sins can be forgiven, and we look forward to that Glorius Day as sung by Casting Crowns.
If you don’t know Jesus, you probably have questions. The people at Chat About Jesus have answers. You can text, call, or chat with them online any time of the day or night.
Final thoughts
Music combined with the hope found in Jesus is a powerful remedy when we need our spirits lifted.
Take a listen to some of the 15 encouraging Christian songs. They should help you in your time of need.
You might also like to read: