Christian Songs for Hard Times When You Are Struggling

Struggle — we have all faced it at one time or another. No one, not even the most religious among us, is immune. Sometimes it is health issues, money issues, work or family problems. Other times it is just life itself — waking up feeling like the minute that your feet hit the floor, the problems are going to flood through the door. You spend your day struggling just to keep your head above water so you can go to bed and get up the next day to do it all over again.

If you are there (or you have been there), you are not the first. The Bible is filled with people much like you who struggled with things beyond their control. Jacob spends his life struggling with God. Moses struggled with his leadership role and the people around him. David seemed to have it all, yet he struggled with much (as the Psalms shares with us). Job was hit with loss after loss after loss. He suffered mightily for over 40 chapters and while he never cursed God, he did curse the day he was born. The Apostle Paul struggled and in 1 Timothy and called himself one of the biggest sinners of all time.

In just the past couple of years, we have seen our church leaders and those in the Christian music industry struggle. In 2013, As I Lay Dying's Tim Lambesis was arrested on Murder For Hire charges. Carman was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Mike Reynolds, the former guitarist from For Today, started a firestorm when he tweeted his thoughts on homosexuality in. Think back to 2012 and you'll remember Sanctus Real's bus catching on fire, Pastor Marvin Winans getting carjacked and Teen Mania Ministries founder Ron Luce's daughter Hannah being in a plane crash that killed four people as they flew to an Acquire the Fire event.

Songs about struggle and surviving struggle can create a playlist that will help you get through your next rough day. And never forget what Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28-31 — Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

"Come As You " - Crowder

From David Crowder's first solo project, Neon Steeple, "Come As You Are" is about finding peace in the struggle.

There's hope for the hopeless
And all those who've strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There's rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That Heaven can't cure

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"How Can It Be" - Lauren Daigle

Lauren Daigle - How Can It Be. Centricity Records

The title track from Lauren's 2014 release is all about being inadequate and imperfect, yet loved and beloved.

I've been hiding
Afraid I've let you down, inside I doubt
That You could love me
But in Your eyes, there's only grace now

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"Addicted to My Pain" - Seventh Day Slumber

Seventh Day Slumber - The Anthem of Angels. BEC Recordings

"Addicted To My Pain," from Seventh Day Slumber's 2011 release, The Anthem Of Angels, is about being so used to suffering and anguish that it feels like an addiction that is a part of you.

Take this guilt
This bitter rage
Keeping me
Locked in chains
Can You heal my heart?
Can You take this pain?
Will You wash away
All these things?

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"Never Surrender" - Skillet

"Never Surrender," from Skillet's award-winning release, Awake, is a cry to God for change.

Do you know what it's like when
You're not who you wanna be?
Do you know what it's like to
Be your own worst enemy
Who sees the things in me I can't hide?
Do you know what it's like
to wanna surrender?

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"Holding You" - Matt Hammitt

Matt Hammitt - Every Falling Tear. Sparrow Records

From Matt Hammitt's solo release, Every Falling Tear, "Holding You" (as well as the rest of the album) was written when his son, Bowen, was fighting for his life after being born with a severe congenital heart defect.

It's like staring down a wishing well
The voice inside cries out for help
But you've never felt so helpless in your life
And time becomes the enemy
'Cause you just got to wait and see
While all the world is simply passing by

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"Need You Now (How Many Times)" - Plumb

"Need You Now (How Many Times)," from Plumb's 2013 release, Need You Now, is a song that Tiffany says came from anxiety and panic attacks she had when she was a teenager.

How many times have you heard me cry out
"God please take this?"
How many times have you given me strength to
Just keep breathing?
Oh I need you
God, I need you now.

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"No Fight Left" - JJ Heller

From JJ Heller's 2011 release, Deeper, "No Fight Left" is a song that anyone and everyone can relate to. We've all dreamed of perfect lives that were so full of joy that we had no room for tears — and then we woke up and reality left plenty of space for heartache and pain.

It's hard to tell if my eyes are open
When all I see is dark
And it's easy, it's easy to lose my step
To lose my step

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"Everyone Hurts" - Kirk Franklin

Kirk Franklin - Hello Fear. Fo Yo Soul/Gospo Centric

From Kirk Franklin's 2011 release, Hello Fear, "Everyone Hurts" can make you feel like you're not the Lone Ranger. We all face hurt, no matter what our age, gender, bank balance or level of fame is.

So we pray tonight, that you don't get weak
and please pray that I, don't forget what I believe
Cause these days are hard, and faith sometimes is work
Pray until He heals the hurt
I trust God will heal the hurt

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"Praise You in This Storm" - Casting Crowns

From Casting Crowns' second studio album, Lifesong, "Praise You In This Storm" lays out how we should all do it - praise God no matter how hard it's raining.

I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen," and it's still raining

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"If We're Honest" - Francesca Battistelli

Francesca Battistelli - If We're Honest. Word

Found on Francesca Battlistelli's 2014 release, the title track is magnificent. It's about being a hot mess and building up walls around yourself in order to keep people at bay.

Bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine
'Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy's waiting on the other side
If we're honest

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Your Citation

Jones, Kim. "Christian Songs for Hard Times." Learn Religions, Mar. 22, 2021, learnreligions.com/christian-songs-for-when-you-are-struggling-708832. Jones, Kim. (2021, March 22). Christian Songs for Hard Times. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/christian-songs-for-when-you-are-struggling-708832 Jones, Kim. "Christian Songs for Hard Times." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/christian-songs-for-when-you-are-struggling-708832 (accessed June 5, 2023).