Raise your hand if you need encouragement in 2020.
You can’t see it, but my hand is raised. 2020 will be a year we won’t forget from coronavirus to racial and social injustice to politics to (fill in your own blank). Thankfully we have a God who can encourage us and strengthen us when all else seems chaotic and out of control.
1 John 4:4 reads, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” We are His children and will overcome whatever we are struggling with for He is greater than this world! Along with the Word of God, music and worship are other great ways to be encouraged from Him in difficult times.
Here are 10 songs that have encouraged me this year (alpha order by artist)
“Clarity” by Andy Mineo
I rarely do ‘what’s your word for the new year’ thing, but for
2020, mine was clarity and it also went along with one of my favorite Andy Mineo’s
songs. Andy raps about doubts in his career, in life, and even in God at times. Through
everything that is going on, he asks for clarity because He knows God is holy and true.
Walk by faith, not by sight.
“Champagne Music” by BrvndonP (featuring Swoope & Christon Gray)
One of those feel good songs. The chorus is “cheers to a good day, and to the One who made us. Can’t believe I made it, yeah it’s a celebration. Cheers to a new day, turn the music way up…”
Every day is a gift from Him so cheers!
“Lay Me Down” by Chris Tomlin
Let’s be honest, this list could be “10 Chris Tomlin songs that have encouraged me.” Maybe next time. This song is simple but just as powerful and inspired one of my tattoos. It’s about laying ourselves down and belonging to Him alone. I’m an overthinker and sometimes my mind thinks it has a better plan than God. The bridge is “it will be my joy to say, Your will, Your way” and it’s a great reminder that through ups and downs in our lives that He has a greater plan than we could
ever imagine.
“Erase” by Disciple
How amazing is it that God’s love, mercy, grace is greater than our
mistakes and transgressions, and that He forgives us when we repent? This song reminds
us that He erases our yesterdays and makes us new every day because His love is greater.
“Good Grace” by Hillsong United
This could be a sub-category of songs that are
encouraging off of the People (Live) album or all Hillsong United songs in general.
“Hosanna” and “Fire Fall Down” are two of my all-time favorites. One of my favorite
lines from this song is “fix your eyes on this one truth, God is madly in love with you.”
“All of God’s Children” by Jon Foreman
We are all His children and through violence,
racism, hatred etc. among our world, we need to be the light shining through in the name
of the Lord.
“No Chains” by KB
This song reminds us the freedom God gives us from eternal death.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a
yoke of slavery” -Galatians 5:1 ESV
“Still Rolling Stones” by Lauren Daigle
Jesus died and rose from the grave rolling the
tomb away. He has given us the opportunity to roll our stones away (burdens, sins,
worries). Many stones will come, but He remains faithful and true.
“Way Maker” by Leeland (originally written by Sinach and redone by multiple artists)
Absolutely one of my favorite go-to worship songs.
“I Have This Hope” by Tenth Avenue North
I can’t write a camp blog post without mentioning our friends. There are a number of Tenth Ave’s songs that are uplifting, encouraging, very relatable to how we are feeling or what we are going through. I literally couldn’t choose just 1 song, but this song is what I believe no matter what year it is. I have this hope in Christ that He is here, He is with you and me, and through all that
is happening right now, He won’t let go. Side note, check out their last album No Shame
if you haven’t listened to it yet.
I hope these songs can encourage you with the hope and love of God as they have for me. I also recommend that you look at the lyrics of these songs as you are listening to them. I listen to a lot of different music and different types in the Christian genres so narrowing down the list was difficult, but leave comments or message me your 2020 playlist for encouraging songs! I love suggestions, and if you know me and you are completely shocked I didn’t mention Lecrae, Switchfoot, or Skillet than I completely agree with you. Lecrae just dropped a new album called Restoration last week and be on the lookout for KB’s new album in September.
Wherever you are reading this camp family, I miss you all and I hope you’re doing well.
In Him,
“Turtle”
