When your mind is racing, your heart aches, and you feel overwhelmed it is hard to feel grounded. Uncertainty overtakes your thoughts and thinking rationally feels out of grasp. I've experienced these feelings often while working through anxiety and have searched for ways to cope and draw me back. As a believer in Christ, I have found such hope, rest, and victory through worship. Here is a basic playlist to give you rest when your mind is anxious.
1. "You Don't Miss A Thing (Live)" by Amanda Cook, Bethel Music
The bridge to this song says "There's no place I can go where your love won't find me/No place I can hide that you don't see/There's no place I can fall where your love couldn't catch me/You see it all, you see it all through the eyes of love"
This song comforts me when I feel forgotten or alone. It reassures me that I am important to God and He will not forsake me.
2. "In Over My Head (Crash Over Me) [Live]" by Jenn Johnson, Bethel Music
This is one of those songs that brings tears to my eyes because I relate so deeply. The verses and chorus express feelings of being disconnected and rediscovering who God is. The bridge is what calms my anxious mind. It says: "Then You crash over me and I've lost control but I'm free/I'm going under, I'm in over my head...Beautifully in over my head" There is freedom in surrender. There is beauty in letting go and allowing the Lord to have His way in your life. The phrase "I've lost control but I'm free" has become my mantra for just "letting go & letting God."
3. "I Surrender (Live)" by Hillsong
Another beautiful song of surrender. The bride of this song compares God to a rushing wind and a mighty storm. Even when we can't see Him, we feel the power of His spirit and its ability to change us.
4. "Oh God" by Citizens & Saints
I love the rawness of this song. The first verse describes the feeling of being in a low place and knowing God is near. "In the valley, Oh God, you're near/In the quiet, Oh God, you're near/In the shadow, Oh God, you're near/At my breaking, Oh God, you're near/Oh God, you never leave my side/Your love will stand firm for all my life." This song encourages me that 1) I'm not alone and 2) That it's normal to go through seasons of feeling this way.
5. "You Make Me Brave (Live)" by Amanda Cook, Bethel Music
It takes bravery to combat anxiety & this song encourages just that. Some of my favorite lyrics say "You make me brave/You make me brave/No fear can hinder now the promises You've made."
6. "Give Me Faith" by Elevation Worship
The bridge of this song says "I may be weak but Your spirit's strong in me/My flesh may fail but my God You never will." I think there is healing in admitting we are weak and are dependent on Christ. This song is very relatable when there is uncertainty in life.
7. "Pieces (Live)" by Steffany Gretzinger, Bethel Music
For whatever reason, this is another one of those songs that brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it. He doesn't hold back in loving us. If you haven't heard this song, I'd recommend listening to it now. My favorite lyrics say "Your love's not passive/It's never disengaged/It's always present/It hangs on every word we say."
8. "Pursue/All I Need Is You (Live/Medley)" by Hillsong
This song is a good "soaking" song, as I like to say. My favorite lyrics are the second verse, which say "Through the fire I'll persevere/I won't submit to any fear/Where I'll go you've been before/All my trust is in you Lord."
9. "Altar (Live)" by SEU Worship
This song is a newer to the worship scene and comes from the Southeastern University worship program in Florida. I love this song because it's a reminder to return to God and surrender at the foot of His altar so he can fill us up. My favorite lyrics are "You beckon me, You beckon me to leave all that I know/You beckon me, You beckon me to call you as my own/This is life, this is life, to bid me come and die/Spirit of the living God You're all that satisfies, All that satisfies."
10. "In The River (Live)" by Kim Walker-Smith, Jesus Culture
This song is very different from the other songs on this playlist, in that it's very upbeat! I think a lot of times we do need to be comforted and give our anxious mind rest by soaking in worship, but it is also helpful to get excited about who Jesus is and what He's doing. One of the verses is "There is a current stirring deep inside/It's overflowing from the heart of God/The flood of heaven crashing over us/The tide is rising, rising."
All of these songs are on Spotify and can be accessed with a free account, so you have no excuse not to give your anxious mind some rest with this worship playlist!
