How many times have you heard an old hymn, or any other song for that matter, that brought you great comfort and a sense of peace? I have often. There is a special power to music...
Hearing Hymns Heals
Have you ever felt down, fearful, or some other negative feeling that has threatened to drag you down to the depths? A death of a loved one? A loss of a job or situation? A break up of a relationship? So much negativity that can hurt you emotionally, mentally, and physically. What do you do when you encounter such times?
I have approached such times in a variety of ways in the past, but more often than not my healing refuge is music. Perhaps I'll cling to some special song that speaks to me and I'll listen to it repeatedly. Or I might get distracted from my internal state by a song I hear somewhere that takes me back to another happier time or that has lyrics or melody that seems to speak to my situation specifically. Or best of all, I might write my own song to address what I feel and what I want to express.
But just hearing is sometimes what we need to draw us away from our own internal state of glumness, fear, or whatever we might be feeling that steals our happiness. The sound of an old favorite song can bring a smile. Recalling a loved one by hearing their favorite song can lift our spirits. Hearing a hymn that reminds us of better times can comfort us.
Music is such a wonderful healing force. Hearing hymns does have a potential to heal and lift us up.
What kind of music comforts you most when your mind is at unease? Do you have a favorite go to song that you like to listen to in order to lift your spirits? Do you enjoy hearing traditional hymns?
Music always makes me feel better. Give me a great prog song every time.
ReplyDeleteGood old Catholic drinking songs! The songs we sang at the top of our lungs when we were kids that we still remember 50 years later. I know, half were stolen from the Protestants, but we sing them anyway. Those put me in a good mood.
ReplyDeleteThe ones that comfort me are ones from my younger years that actually make me sad listening! Yet, they are what I turn to for comfort. I don't know why. Remind me of the years when I was more carefree?
ReplyDeleteI'm not religious as an adult but there is one song that always got to me, "Believe" by Brooks & Dunn.
ReplyDelete"I raise my hands, bow my head
I'm findin' more and more truth in the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life, than just what I can see
Oh I believe, hmm"
Growing up we attended Sunday School religiously and my bible had those words written in red.
Donna: Click for my 2025 A-Z Blog
Music can stir the emotions too much for me. I simply pray for that peace that defies understanding- and for someone to say/do something funny to break the spell.
ReplyDeleteCW, I've had times in my life when I mostly just want silence. Now I don't listen to music nearly as much as I used to, but it still does play a big part in my life.
DeleteLee
Music draws out the inner stuff. It brings me gratefulness, joy in my heart, memories to savor, or sadness to deal with. It's a daily part of my life.
ReplyDeleteDonna, the compilation of musical memories and what we like to listen to are the soundtrack of who we are.
ReplyDeleteLee
So interesting to think of it this way. I still remember as a child playing "If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Have Baked a Cake"! It was one of the first I'd ever memorized, sung and danced to just because I liked it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1wEVPqFFCg
ReplyDeleteAnonymous was me...I hate that I have to keep putting everything in so I won't be anonymous! Seems they are all this way now.
ReplyDeleteMusic was and is always my Go-to for soul-searching, soothing the occasional heartache, and all-around enjoyment. The hymns at our Presbyterian Church seemed sort of subdued compared to the Baptist Church down the street where they were always rocking out ;-) That's when I learned you have to look at the joyous faces of the people singing to get the message that it's all good for all who believe.
ReplyDeleteDiedre, now I think most protestant churches sing contemporary songs, but I do miss the old hymn sometimes. I think they should do both.
DeleteLee
This is Birgit. I’m not into traditional religious hymns unless it’s Christmas. The only 2 humans I do love is Amazing Grace and Nearer my God To Thee because of Titanic. Music is a world wide healer to most people. For me, in high school, I loved “We are the Championsl by Queen. I also just loved ABBA and ELO. I love, “To Dream the Impossible Dream” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
ReplyDeleteBirgit, there's nothing quite like that special song that can lift us out of whatever place we are in.
DeleteMy wife and I watched the Titanic film from 1958 I think it was just the other day. I love that part when the band starts playing and singing "Nearer My God".
Lee