A lady once asked me what I do to recover from my very emotionally demanding job. Her jaw about hit the table when I said, “Well, I have things I do daily, weekly, and less often like monthly, quarterly or annually. Which level would you like me to describe?” I bless you to so build your toolbox that you can one day answer like this too! And I bless us both to KEEP LIVING IT.
The point is that you've got to have tools to help you at each level: daily, weekly, monthly, and so on. Here's one of my "Daily" tools.
I am a musician! Nothing can turn my heart like a song! And THAT's what we're looking for in a daily tool - something to help turn your heart when it's going downhill.
(If music isn’t your thing, either make a point to try it in a new way or find something that is and do it.)
Since music is a key to my heart, it’s also key to my daily practices.
I make a point to choose music (to the best of my ability) that where my mind, body and spirit are that day.
If I feel tense and wound up or my body feels “off”, then I listen to classical music, especially Grieg, Vivaldi, Mozart and others. (Yes, Mozart isn’t the only “healthy” or “brain building” classical composer.)
When & Where
I listen to it in the car, while cooking or doing dishes, while Sweetums is doing his chores (loud enough for him to hear, ideally), while Sweetums takes a bath, and sometimes while Sweetums is raging, if possible. During the rage I put my mind on the music and hum and sway with it instead of being sucked into “humming and swaying” along with the rage.
If what I’m facing is more about thoughts and feelings (and this is generally where the battle actually is), then I turn to songs of my faith to solidify truth deep into my spirit.
Notice that there is no set aside time for this but rather it's built-in to the background of various activities in my day. Sometimes I need positive music just running softly in the background all day to counter the negative atmosphere the child is producing. Sometimes I only play the music when I'm paying attention to it, so it doesn't add noise pollution to the situation. It just depends.
Take a moment to think about it and make a conscious decision.
So here it is: a list of Christian songs to help sooth your grief and build your spirit. Take the songs you want; leave the rest. If you are hoping for a non-Christian list, I apologize that I do not have one.
Songs of Comfort
- If We're Honest by Francesca Battistelli
- Just Be Held by Casting Crowns
- Psalm 13 (How Long, O Lord) By Brian Doerksen
- Turn Your Eyes by Jason Lavik
- Give Me Jesus by Fernando Ortega
- Trust in You by Lauren Daigle
- It is Well (Live) by Kristene DiMarco
- Unashamed Love by Jason Morant
- Just Like You by Waterdeep Worship
- Oceans by Hillsong
Building Up
1. Beyond Me by TobyMac
2. Greater by MercyMe
3. Risk by Ten Shekel Shirt
4. Priceless by For King and Country
5. Speak Life by TobyMac
6. Overcomer by Mandissa
7. The Same Power by Jeremy Camp
8. Never Been a Moment by Micah Tyler
9. What a Powerful Name by Hillsong
10. Love Take Me Over by Steven Curtis Chapman
11. Everywhere We Go by Newsboys
I was on vacation, riding in the car with a friend, once when the song "Greater" by MercyMe came on the radio. I sang along vivaciously as usual to write its truth deep into my spirit.
My friend remarked, "You know ALL the words to that song!"
I replied, "Well, ya, it's critical to my everyday life."
It's not critical to everyone's everyday life, but RAD families are on the front lines of battle, and it's TOUGH. For us being grounded in truth - and truth that gives life and refills our hearts with love - is CRITICAL.
When people ask how I can work with RAD families, my answer is because of the good news of Jesus Christ. There's simply no way I would've made it this far without Him. I have to daily hold TIGHTLY to the truth of God's Word in order to keep making it. I have to take His Word to heart. I have to take God's Word more seriously that what I see and hear around me. And that's no small feat.
Want to recommend a song or a way to use music? Put it in the Comments below!