I was just thinking about all the chaos and terrible events taking place in our country and around the world. It is difficult some days to find anything to feel good about. Then I began to ask myself, “What helps me when some days are just not up to par?” The answer is that I usually sing or hum a song that brings a smile to my face, a lift to my spirit and some joy that I had lost somewhere along the way. Do you ever have a song in your heart that seemingly makes the world go away and not trouble you? I have some suggestions for you.
Recall the Songs You Grew Up With
One of the songs I find myself singing quite often says, “There is a song in my heart today. Something I never had; Jesus has taken my sins away, O say, but I’m glad!” It’s hard to stay down in the dumps when we rejoice that the Lord has saved us.
Then, one that I remember well from my early childhood, which has stuck with me over the decades, says, “I have the Joy, Joy Down in my Heart.” Honestly, it is difficult to remain sad or distraught when one sings that song! Some of its lyrics are: “I’ve got that joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay.” Add to that another verse that says, “I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.” If we remind ourselves of what Christ has done for us, even in our darkest hours, we can also recall that He has given the Holy Spirit to comfort and console us when things are not going right. That peace that transcends understanding is the gift from God. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7 NIV1984).
It is Peace That We Seek
Granted, it is so hard to find peace the way the world attempts to provide it. Jesus told the disciples that He wanted them to have peace, even in the face of trials and disappointments. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
Here is another song for you to sing or hum today. It was written by a man who had lost his daughters at sea. He had deep heartache, but he penned these words to a wonderful song. “When peace like a river attended my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
Singing Helped David and It Can Help Us as Well
The Book of Psalms is a hymnal of songs. Many of those were written by the shepherd king, David. He had his plate full almost every day. He was tormented, attacked, laden with his own sin and dismayed from time to time. Yet, when he sang to the Lord, he was reminded of God’s grace and pardon from sin.
Like David, we need to take our eyes off our problems, look to the hills of God from which our help comes, and sing. “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1). Have a song in your heart today!
