Today, I am asking the question “Can music help with depression?” because I’ve struggled with depression my whole life. You see, I’ve mentioned this in other posts, but the reason for my depression was because I never really believed in myself. Usually, I let my self-esteem and identity be determined by things that are external to who I really am. Instead of being based on God’s Word, my identity was determined by others, how I looked or if I succeeded at something and the like.
My Story
At times, whenever I didn’t do something perfectly or didn’t measure up to someone else’s standards, sometimes my own impossibly high standards, I would get depressed. Often to the point where I really didn’t want to go on any longer. I would just curl up and cry. I couldn’t see the light.
Even though I knew God and was a Christian, I never understood that I didn’t have to base my identity on any of these things. I didn’t have to listen to Satan’s lies or the lies of other people. It took me a long time to get there, but I finally know who God is and who I am.
Can Music Help With Depression?
One of the things that helped me beat depression the most was music. Usually, I didn’t want to listen to anything, read anything or do anything when I was depressed. However, even though I didn’t want to, I knew that I needed to do something so I would play some of my favorite songs.
And, gradually, my crying would slow down and I would begin to see a small pinpoint of light. As I began to slowly sing to myself with the music, the light would get bigger and the darkness would start to recede. It would take time but it always worked more than anything else.
My Favorite Songs
Some of my favorite songs, right now, that continue to encourage me and speak to my true identity in Christ are
“You Say” by Lauren Daigle, “Eye of the Storm” by Ryan Stevenson, and “Say I Won’t by Mercy Me. There have been other songs over the years, but these are some that have been a real blessing to me in recent months and years. Here are lyrics below.
You Say
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low? Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know (ooh oh) You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing You say I am strong when I think I am weak You say I am held when I am falling short When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours And I believe (I), oh I believe (I) What You say of me (I) I believe The only thing that matters now is everything You think of me In You I find my worth, in You I find my identity, (ooh oh) You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing You say I am strong when I think I am weak And You say I am held when I am falling short When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours And I believe (I), oh I believe (I) What You say of me (I) Oh, I believe Taking all I have and now I'm laying it at Your feet You have every failure God, and You'll have every victory, (ooh oh) You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing You say I am strong when I think I am weak You say I am held when I am falling short When I don’t belong, oh You say that I am Yours And I believe (I), oh I believe (I) What You say of me (I) I believe Oh I believe (I), yes I believe (I) What You say of me (I) Oh I believe (oh) You Say by Lauren Daigle
Eye of the Storm
In the eye of the storm You remain in control And in the middle of the war You guard my soul You alone are the anchor When my sails are torn Your love surrounds me In the eye of the storm When the solid ground is falling out from underneath my feet Between the black skies, and my red eyes, I can barely see When I realize I've been sold out by my friends and my family I can feel the rain reminding me In the eye of the storm, You remain in control In the middle of the war, You guard my soul You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn Your love surrounds me In the eye of the storm Mmm, when my hopes and dreams are far from me And I'm runnin' out of faith I see the future I picture slowly fade away And when the tears of pain and heartache Are pouring down my face I find my peace in Jesus' name In the eye of the storm (yeah, yeah) You remain in control (yes you do, Lord) In the middle of the war You guard my soul You alone are the anchor When my sails are torn Your love surrounds me (Your love surrounds me) In the eye of the storm (in the eye of the storm) When the test comes in and the doctor says I've only got a few months left It's like a bitter pill I'm swallowing I can barely take a breath And when addiction steals my baby girl And there's nothing I can do My only hope is to trust You I trust You, Lord In the eye of the storm (yeah, yeah) You remain in control In the middle of the war (middle of the war) You guard my soul (yeah!) You alone are the anchor When my sails are torn Your love surrounds me (yeah!) In the eye of the storm You remain in control (yes you do, Lord) In the middle of the war (in the middle of the war) You guard my soul You alone are the anchor When my sails are torn Your love surrounds me In the eye of the storm Oh, in the eye of Lord, in the eye of the storm I know You're watching me, yeah Ay When the storm is raging (when the storm is raging) And my hope is gone (and my hope is gone, Lord) When my flesh is failing You're still holding on, oh whoa When the storm is raging (the storm is raging) And my hope is gone (and all my hope is gone) When my flesh is failing (my flesh is failing) You're still holding on, ooh When the storm is raging (when the storm is raging) And my hope is gone (and my hope is gone) Even when my flesh is failing (flesh is failing) You're still holding on, holding on The Lord is my Shepherd I have all that I need He let's me rest in green meadows He leads me beside peaceful streams He renews my strength He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His Name Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid For You are close beside me Eye of the Storm by Ryan Stevenson
Say I Won’t
Today It all begins I'm seeing my life for the very first time Through a different lens Yesterday I didn't understand Driving 35 with the rocket inside Didn't know what I had While I've been waiting to live My life's been waiting on me I'm gonna run No, I'm gonna fly I'm gonna know what it means to live And not just be alive The world's gonna hear 'Cause I'm gonna shout And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out Say I won't Not enough Is what I've been told But it must be a lie 'Cause the Spirit inside says I'm so much more So let them say what they want Oh, I dare them to try I'm gonna run No, I'm gonna fly I'm gonna know what it means to live And not just be alive The world's gonna hear 'Cause I'm gonna shout And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out Say I won't Say I won't Say I won't Say I won't I can do all things Through Christ who gives me strength So keep on saying I won't And I'll keep proving you wrong I'm gonna run No, I'm gonna fly I'm gonna know what it means to live And not just be alive This world's gonna hear, whoa 'Cause I'm gonna shout And I will be dancing when circumstances drown the music out Say I won't Say I won't Say that I won't Oh, say I won't Say I won't Say I Won't by Mercy Me
Summary
Each one of these songs has helped me in different ways. So, what’s the answer to “Can Music Help With Depression?” Music helped me and I hope it will help you.
Whatever your favorite worship song is, put it on or try one these. There is a lot of great positive music that can help you. So, it may not solve all of your problems, but I believe that it can help.
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