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Worship Songs for the Broken-Hearted
Songs to sing to God when life is hard
One of the things that used to irk me about church was feeling like I had to sing worship songs that were entirely at odds with how I was actually feeling inside.
Who rocks up to church and wants to sing “O Happy Day” when their dog just died?
No one.
And yet, week after week, good Christians are expected to turn up to the church and sing songs from the heart about the glorious victory they have in Christ Jesus… regardless of what’s really going on for them.
It feels, well… dishonest at best and completely fake at worst.
Right now, I can’t bring myself to “Joy is the Flag Flown High From the Castle of My Heart.” But fortunately, more and more Christian artists are penning songs that touch on the darker side of human experience and emotion. After all, no one is happy all the time, so why should our songs be happy all the time?
Here are eight worship songs that I like to sing when I’m feeling anything but happy.
Even If — Mercy Me
“Even If” was written when lead singer Bart Millard had a bad day during his son’s battle with diabetes. The song is brutally honest and is basically a cry to God that says, “I’ve had enough, and I can’t do this anymore.”
Lyrics for the brokenhearted:
“It’s easy to sing
When there’s nothing to bring me down
But what will I say
When I’m held to the flame
Like I am right now”
Praise You in This Storm — Casting Crowns
Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns was inspired by the band’s experience with a young girl who died of cancer. The song speaks of unanswered prayers and calling out toward an empty sky.
Lyrics for the brokenhearted:
“I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in…
