10 Powerful Songs to Challenge Depression

1. “Unraveling” by Cory Asbury

I'm coming apart at the seams

And everyone's pulling at me

And I am unraveling

The smile isn't quite what it seems

But it does well to hide what's beneath

All the pressure is staggering

When life seems uncertain, depression can feel staggering and hindering to our faith. We feel as if we've come undone, and no matter what we do, our walk in this world is crippling. Yet even when our world is falling apart, Christ is in the business of pulling everything together.

Know this, the God of the Universe, both heaven and earth, sees and controls all. Even when life may be figuratively unraveling like a ball of yarn falling from the seams, or crumbling at your fingertips, hold on tightly to Him.

Joshua 2:11b praises, "The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below." He sees every loose end and is sure to sew it up because He's sewing into you.

Source: Cory Asbury

2. “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North

I'm tired

I'm worn

My heart is heavy

From the work it takes to keep on breathing

Feeling worn, ragged, tired, and old is something most of us have thought about at some period in our lives. I believe the age-old question of 2020, for instance, has been, "Why am I so tired all of the time?" At the core of our exhaustion is a weak and weary soul in need of a peace that only the Father can give.

Philippians 4:6-7 declares, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Our Heavenly Father knows every anxious thought, and though our hearts are heavy, He will give us rest when we come to Him (Matthew 11:28).

Source: Tenth Avenue North

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Katarzyna Bialasiewicz

3. "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus” by Steffany Gretzinger

If my heart could tell a story
If my life would sing a song

If I have a testimony
If I have anything at all

No one ever cared for me like Jesus
His faithful hand has held me all this way

And when I'm old and grey
And all my days are numbered on the earth
Let it be known in you alone

My joy was found
Oh my joy, my joy

As a child, my depression would undoubtedly stem from a lacking relationship with my father. What was once a kindled friendship slowly smoldered in the fire from the weight of crippling disabilities and crumbling mentalities. Over the years, we grew distant, and as a result, sometimes, my picture of God as a Dad grew fuzzy as well.

When we realize that depression has a voice, it is easier to filter the lies from the truth. In the middle of your sorrow, remember that your Father, your Heavenly Father, also has a voice, and He calls you His own, right where you are.

Romans 8:14-16 gives this confidence in that "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.'"

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang
Source: Steffany Gretzinger

4. “Oh My Soul” by Casting Crowns

Oh, my soul
Oh, how you worry
Oh, how you're weary from fearing

You lost control
This was the one thing
You didn't see coming

And no one would blame you though
If you cried in private
If you tried to hide it away

So no one knows
No one will see
If you stop believing

As a highly organized individual, I would be lying if I said that I love giving God control. Control is something that I have always struggled with, and if I'm honest, it often controls me more than the other way around.

Learning to "Let Go, and Let God" is a Christian catechism that's easier said than done. It is simple to make a statement like that apart from chaos and believe it to be true. Oh, how our souls cease to seek authority over every single detail. But Jesus didn't die on the cross for us to be in charge of our lives. He died so that He could reign over our sinful hearts that desperately need His guiding, saving, and loving, truth and grace.

Matthew 11:28 reminds us to lay down these burdens to the one who controls all. "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.”

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Frank Mckenna
Source: Casting Crowns

5. “Even If” by Mercy Me

They say sometimes you win some

Sometimes you lose some

And right now, I'm losing bad

Surrender, like control, is a word that often leads to a bad taste in our mouth synonymous with weakness. We believe the lie that if we surrender to anything, that means we're small and ineffective in the fight.

James 4:7, however, tells us that no matter the quarrel or circumstance, we should submit ourselves to God. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Submitting to God means following His Will, His Way, and resting in the promise that even if things don't turn out the way we intended, they are still for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

Source: MercyMe

6. “Your Hands” by JJ Heller

I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there

And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away

I don't know about you, but I feel butterflies and fairytales, comfort and serenity when someone holds my hand. Why should resting in Jesus' hands look any different?

In life, we often cry unanswered prayers and wonder where God is because He doesn't feel close right here, right now. Scripture reminds us that even when we can't sense it, the Lord never leaves our side. 1 John 5:14 reminds us that He bends down to listen and will always hear the prayers of His faithful followers.

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”

Source: JJHellermusic

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/valio84sl

7. “Control” by For King and County

You asked me to let go, but I thought I knew better

Afraid of surrender and what I don't know

I've always had a plan, but now I'm so weary

And I can't see clearly, forgot who I am

How many times in life have you "thought you knew better than God" and tried to go your own way? I know I sure have, and to be honest, it is exhausting fighting the Lord's plans for your life because His will always undoubtedly prevail whether we agree with them or not!

Releasing control is a difficult concept to grasp, or I mean let go of, but it is one worth investing our time and thought into. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us of this truth: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

Source: for KING & COUNTRY

8. “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle

You are not hidden

There's never been a moment

You were forgotten

You are not hopeless

Though you have been broken

Your innocence stolen

It is only at the end of ourselves that we realize our need to be rescued. Praise the Lord that we serve a good God who rescued us when we were anything worthy to be saved. At our worst, Jesus Christ died to save us. Never allow your mental state to convince you that you're hopeless or forgotten.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 prays, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

Source: Lauren Daigle

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/whoislimos

9. "You're Gonna Be Okay" by Jenn Johnson

I know it's all you've got to just be strong

And it's a fight just to keep it together, together

I know you think that you are too far gone

But hope is never lost

At the end of the day, all we as humans really want is a sense of belongingness and someone to tell us that "everything is going to be okay." While it may not feel like it at the moment, Romans 8:35 reminds us that nothing can ever separate us from the loving, saving, redeeming agape of Christ.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"

10. "I Speak Jesus" by Here Be Lions

I just want to speak the name of Jesus

Over every heart and every mind

'Cause I know there is peace within your presence

After a long hard day of fighting with anxiety and depression, I want to remind you that hope is to be found. Within the fullness of Christ, there is a peace that speaks over and above every fear. At the name of Jesus, every head must bow in authority to His presence, including our doubts and insecurities.

Even amid these places, I speak Jesus, and so can you. Psalm 94:19 resounds, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

Allow His presence through these 10 powerful songs challenge and put an end to your mental struggles today.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Arthit_Longwilai
Source: Integrity Music