A Song for My Soul: My Life is in Your Hands

Music has the ability to speak into the deepest recesses of our hearts. God often uses songs to speak hope and encouragement to our souls. In this series, Hope Moms share songs that have pointed them to the hope of Christ in the midst of their grief. Is there a song that has comforted you in your grief? We’d love to have you share your story here.

---

What song has God used in your grief to speak hope and encouragement to your soul? How have the lyrics pointed you to the hope that we have in Christ? How did the truths presented in this song resonate with you in your sorrow?

I was standing at the kitchen sink doing dishes a few months after my son was stillborn at 37 weeks. Even though my life was drastically altered, the daily routines and mundane chores continued. I absent-mindedly rinsed a dish, as I stared at my reflection in my kitchen window, and wondered if my life would ever be “normal.” The words to a song playing in the living room caught my attention. I turned off the water in the sink and listened.

Life can be so good. Life can be so hard.
Never knowing what each day will bring to where you are
Sometimes I forget and sometimes I can’t see

I certainly knew life could be good at times, and life could be hard. I was walking in the valley of the shadow of death, and it was hard. And then the next line hit me.

That whatever comes my way You’ll be with me

I knew I had heard this song before because it wasn’t a new CD. (That’s right, this was back in the olden days before iPods so we used CD’s on stereo systems with big speakers that looked like a piece of furniture.) The singer, Kathy Troccoli, was a favorite of mine. (Again, this was the olden days. Kathy Troccoli was the Kari Jobe or Natalie Grant of my day.) I digress.

When I previously listened to the song, I heard those words—You’ll be with me—but they pierced my heart at that moment. Did I really believe that?

I walked into the living room—drawn by the words. And the chorus played.

My life is in Your hands. My heart is in Your keeping
I’m never without hope—not when my future is with You

My life is in Your hands and though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing, ‘Cause Your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in Your hands

I started listening to the words standing in the middle of my living room, but as the words fell on my ears, I fell to my knees. I knew the words were true. I knew Jesus held my life and my heart. I knew I would never be without hope as long as the Lord was with me.

As the words continued to play, I lay in the middle of my living room with tears falling. I didn’t care. I let the tears wash over me as the words did too. As I lay on my back with tears running out of the corner of my eyes and into my ears, the encouraging truths in the song also filled my ears. The song played, and it was like a healing balm to my soul. I let myself really cry. A deep cry.

I wasn’t seeing clearly how losing my son could fit into God’s plan, but I knew I could choose to lift my voice and sing. I could declare His faithfulness and goodness even though I was walking through a hard time. I could rest in knowing He held me.

Nothing is for sure. Nothing is for keeps
All I know is that Your love will live eternally
So I will find my way and I will find my peace
Knowing that You’ll meet my every need

Before losing my son, I thought I knew for sure how my life would go. I would have my little family of five with two girls and a son. My son’s death taught me nothing was for sure. Not one thing.

We were never promised a pain-free, easy life. The Bible tells us we will have trouble and trials. But the Bible also tells us the Lord will be with us through the hard times.

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.
Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.
I will not leave you or forsake you.  Joshua 1:5

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Psalms 23:4

It’s hard to explain the transformation that took place on the floor of my living room that night. I literally lay on my living room floor and listened to that song at least four times. The tears fell and my heart mended a little bit as the words seeped deep into my soul. My hope ignited. I chose to lift my hands to the Lord—right there in my living room—I lifted both of my hands and sang, “My life is in Your hands.”

Once I uttered the words, “my life is in your hands,” there was a shift in my heart and soul. Healing came to my heart. In that moment—with those words—I gave the Lord permission to be in control of my life no matter if things were good or bad, hard or easy. When I gave up control, hope began to rise. Hope came alive.

I’m never without hope—not when my future is with You

My life is in Your hands

Dear Hope Mom, even in the hard times when we don’t understand, if we chose to trust the Lord and know He cares for us, hope will rise. He holds your life and cares about your feelings, emotions, desires, fears, and concerns.

Though the song is an “oldie,” I would encourage you to find it on iTunes or Spotify and get in a quiet place where you can let the words wash over you. I pray you will find comfort and healing as I did that evening on my living room floor.

Shelly D. Templin is an author, speaker and blogger that shares a message of hope – with humor. She has three daughters, a son-in- law, and a granddaughter. Shelly lives in Texas with her husband, Jack, of 29 years and their two dogs.

---

Are you a writer who would like to join the blog team? Learn more and apply here.

---

Widget not in any sidebars

---