Have you ever walked through a trial that tore you to pieces? I have. I’ve noticed that these trials never end when you want them to. They stretch on—far past your comfort, deep into your limits. They press so hard it feels like you’re about to break. But just before that moment—somehow—God steps in. In His mercy, He knows exactly how much we can bear. It reminds me of weight training. We only grow stronger when we lift more than we’re used to. But it’s the tension, the strain, and the ache that builds endurance. God allows us to carry more than we think we can—not to destroy us, but to strengthen us. And just before the breaking point, He lifts the weight. Sometimes, it feels like His relief comes only millimeters before everything would fall apart.
“Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
Two Powerful Tools
After holding it all together for so long, I got sick. That often happens to me when the adrenaline of survival fades and I finally pause. In that rest, God gave me a gift: a song. And with it, a gentle reminder—I am still blessed. Even in the valley. Especially in the valley. Through years of trials, setbacks, and breakthroughs, I’ve discovered two tools that never lose their power: thankfulness and praise.
“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” Acts 16:25-26
How? What?
But how do you praise when your heart is in pieces? When everything around you is heavy with loss or dizzy with confusion? It’s by doing the last thing you feel like doing, yet its so powerful! It’s following in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul and Silas when locked in a Roman prison. They were grateful and worshiped. After being arrested and beaten they were locked in the darkest inner part of the prison, and their feet were locked in stocks. They were thankful to God and they sang songs. I admit, it’s been difficult for me recently. When I’m having trouble, I play a premade worship song form my playlist.
“I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.“ Psalm 27:13
Straining To See
The song I heard today helped me “recalibrate” my soul. It reminded me of what David did so often in the Psalms: he strained through tears to see the goodness of God in the land of the living. Maybe this is for you too. Maybe you’re in that moment where hope feels distant, and praise feels impossible. Start small. Look hard. God is there—in the silence, in the strain, and even in the storm. Trust me, when you are in what feels the darkest night, it feels like you cant see the light. Find a praise song, play it and sing it, allow it to “recalibrate,” your soul, like this one did for me. A little tip is to create praise and worship list so you can find something quickly.
