A friend was staying with me one time when she was struggling in her marriage. She was in despair and feeling hopeless. I came home one day to find her curled up and weeping, listening to mournful music filled with lyrics of anguish and gloom.

I immediately turned off that music, put on some gently upbeat music, and asked her to get up and help me make dinner.

I understand the compulsion to find music that matches my mood. It feels good, in a way. When I am sad, sad music feels comfortable. When I am angry, angry music feels right. But sometimes this kind of reinforcement is not helpful. I don’t really want to stay sad or get sadder. But that’s what sad music can do. I don’t want to stay angry or become even angrier, but that’s what angry music does. A downward spiral awaits.

“But I will sing of your strength and will joyfully proclaim your faithful love in the morning. For you have been a stronghold for me, a refuge in my day of trouble.” (Psalms‬ ‭59‬:‭16,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

David was scared, desperate, and forlorn when he wrote this Psalm, but you would never know it from this verse. He chose to sing with joy about God. Instead of staying focused on all that was wrong in his life, He sang about God’s positive attributes.

Changing to a positive playlist won’t solve everything. It won’t make my problems go away or cure an illness or mend a broken heart. But David knew it helped, especially when the new songs help me focus on God and His power. God can make my problems go away, cure an illness, and mend a broken heart. If I take my eyes off my circumstances and my ears off my inner dialogue of despair, and shift my entire focus to God, I will find the refuge I need and the hope I seek. An upward spiral.

Dear God,

Thank you for showing me that you are the only true source of comfort and hope. Nothing in this world beside you can provide what I need in my dark moments. Remind me to reach for you instead of things that feel good in the moment but actually make my life worse. Please send me your joy and hope today. I have so much to sing about.