Press Play for a Hug
Note: Click here to listen to audio recording
~5 min read
Hi there. Welcome to Well Lit Soul. Where we seek God, face darkness, and shine brighter. This season of the blog is all about encouragement. So, today’s blog is called: Press Play for a Hug.
This second season of the blog was largely inspired by a sister who shared on Instagram that she was in need of a hug and asked her friends to send some comforting words. Well, without any context to her situation, I didn’t really know what to say. But I did think of some songs I could share that felt like a hug and provided some deep comfort and encouragement.
So, even though we talked about “Hold on Hymns” two weeks ago, I want to bring back the music theme and share some songs that touched my heart when no one was around to hug me when I really needed it.
The first song is “God Cares” by Sounds of Blackness and this song wrecked me the first time I heard it. I probably replayed it for at least half an hour straight. The words and melody cracked my heart right open and ushered in the tears that had been stuck for so long. It was a much needed release. The chorus says, “God cares all about you/ and He’ll be there to see you through/ and when no one will comfort you/ He’ll care about you./ God cares all about you/ and He’ll be there when you’re feeling blue/ and when your life has broken you/ He’ll care about you.”
The second song is “Little Blue” by Jacob Collier. This is the only song on the list that isn’t explicitly Christian or religious in nature, but Jacob’s description of light and darkness, walking alone, and finding your way home, all hits so deep. And the voices, the words, the instruments, everything just gave me literal chills. Especially listening to the choir version. The chorus says, “Don't be afraid of the dark/ In your heart/ You're gonna find a way/ To carry the weight of the world/ On your shoulders/ You're gonna find a way home.”
The next song is “When you Praise” by Fred Hammond. This song starts off slow and gives me room to feel all of the tough feelings. Then as the song goes, my spirits get lifted to turn my focus back to God. To remind me that the hurt can’t get in the way of leaning on God and not my own understanding. The chorus says, “When you praise, when you praise/ There should be a fire in your heart/ Hands up raised, when you praise/ Consuming every part because you know/ The God we serve will make/ His presence known, when you praise/ When you praise.”
The final song is “I Will Get There” by Boyz II Men. This song comes from one of the greatest soundtracks of all time, The Prince of Egypt. I generally listen to the album all the way through, but every now and again I go straight to this song. Similar to the Fred Hammond song, it speaks to the trials and darkness we face, but we keep going because there is light on the other side. The chorus says, “I will get there (I will get there)/ I will get there somehow/ Cross that river (cross that river)/ Nothing's stoppin' me now/ I will get through the night (oh, yes, I will)/ And make it through to the other side/ Get there (get there)/ Get there (get there)”.
When I think of a hug, it’s not just the physical touch, but it’s the feelings transmitted between those involved. And the best hugs give permission to unlock those feelings and care for them in the most nurturing way when they are released. Real hugs require immense vulnerability and trust, that’s why they’re so precious.
So, when I think about God as our comforter as described in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, I think about the immense vulnerability and trust we need to cultivate with Him. The text says, “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
So when we receive comfort, love, encouragement, etc, we can turn around and give it as well. That’s the beauty of God’s design and the work that He has called us to do. And the best part is that even if we do feel alone, no matter where we are physically and spiritually, God is there. Ready to receive us and care for us.
Connection Question: What do you do when you’re in need of comfort and no one is around? How do you comfort others when you can’t be with them physically?
Let me know in the comments, I’d love to connect with you about it.
P.S. Click here for a playlist of the songs.
