Have you ever been told to just “give it to God?”
It’s a well-intentioned saying for any struggle, habit or relationship. But it can be frustrating to receive, because it’s not the easiest advice to put into practice. Setting aside emotions and focusing on the logical truth is difficult for human beings in the moment.
It can even be tough turning to God at all when you’re in a low place. You quickly get apathetic, depressed and lose motivation to keep trying. For me, as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve had times where I couldn’t bring myself to even pray or read God’s Word. But this only makes things worse.
And the more you dwell on the enemy’s lies and negative voices, the harder it is to get out of it. So, what do you do in these situations?
Personally, I’ve found that worship music is a game-changer. I may not be able to read, pray or talk with someone, but I can always turn on some worship music. This helps me in several ways:
In light of this summer’s theme of surrender, I wanted to recommend some worship songs that have helped me with surrender — even when I didn’t want to. I hope these songs encourage you and point you to God.
1. “I Surrender All” by Various Artists
Written by American art teacher and musician Judson W. Van DeVenter, this song is a classic hymn that many of us know well. As indicated in the title, the song has a powerful, simple message about surrendering to Jesus — not a forced surrender, but one that we “freely give” because we love and trust God. Many artists have covered this song, but some particular versions that I enjoy are by Michael W. Smith and CeCe Winans.
2. “God So Loved” by We The Kingdom
There’s a reason John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. There are few other passages in the Bible that explain the Gospel in a nutshell quite like this one does.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16).
This song uses the verse as inspiration and its lyrics are all about God’s invitation of grace for all humanity. There are even examples of what you can give him, such as failures and addictions. But through it all, Jesus is waiting for you “with open arms.”
3. “Even If” by MercyMe
The band may be more famous for its song “I Can Only Imagine,” but MercyMe is a fantastic resource for encouraging music. Not all of them are upbeat and catchy, however. “Even If” is a good example of this, as it explores following God’s will even when you don’t understand it or agree with it. Like we see in the Psalms written by David when he’s at rock bottom, this song helps you feel your emotions while still keeping your focus and trust on Jesus. It’s a great listen when you’re sad or questioning your path in life.
4. “Big God” by Terrian
As she shared in her White Chair Film, Terrian had a major breakthrough in her career when she surrendered it to God. Her story is a great example of how God saying “no” to us can be a good thing. This song in particular does a great job reminding us of how big God is, how good he is and the fact he’s in control. All of our troubles and worries seem smaller when we compare them to God, which makes it easier to surrender them to him.
5. “Rest in the Father” by Stephen Stanley
No other Christian music artist has had a bigger impact on my life the past four years than Stephen Stanley. Many of his songs are about mental health and turning to God when you don’t know what else to do. While “No Hopeless Song” was the first song I heard from him back in 2021, “Rest in the Father” is one of my favorites. It reminds us of the peace and rest we get when we surrender to God.
6. “Healer” by Casting Crowns
What do you want more: God himself or for him to make you feel better? This song will make you think along these lines, as it talks about us needing the “Healer” more than the “healing.” Sometimes, God allows certain things to remain in our lives for his purpose. When we can accept that, it helps us take our eyes off of our problems and refocus our attention on God and his ability to work miracles in our lives.
7. “He Is” by Crowder
When I’m dealing with stress and anxiety, this slower-paced song helps me refocus and feel better. It’s all about God, his goodness and the fact he’s waiting for me with open arms. Whether I’m weary, troubled or hurting, I can always come to Jesus to find my strength. It’s easier to surrender to someone you know has your best intentions in mind.
As James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” Giving God the things you’re holding back can be difficult. But if you surrender your control, your circumstances and your life to him, you’ll be amazed at what he does with it.
Daniel has been writing professionally for nearly 20 years, authoring HOPE for the Hurting Marriage and several other books about addictions, mental health issues and spiritual warfare. He, his wife and two children live in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
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