Music Monday: “How Can I Keep from Singing” by Chris Tomlin
By Debbie Waltz
Lately, I’ve been wrestling with how much I should share about my health struggles on this blog. I’ve always tried to keep my posts positive, sharing the realities of living with a disability while maintaining a hopeful perspective grounded in faith. But I also recognize that sharing only the positive side of my journey may not tell the whole story.
Living with a disability affects nearly every aspect of life. It changes how we approach everyday tasks, how we see the world, and sometimes even how we understand our faith. Faith doesn’t always change our circumstances, but it can change our perspective, reminding us that there is more to life than what we see and experience today.
Some days are harder than others.
Over the past few months, I’ve been searching for answers about my health issues. During this time, I’ve often thought about a scene from Soul Surfer in which Carrie Underwood, playing Sarah Hill, shares some advice about gaining a new perspective:
“So you see how hard it can be making sense of things when you’re really close? The same is true in life. So if you guys are dealing with anything that is just too hard to handle or doesn’t seem to make much sense.. Get a new perspective..”
Those words have stayed with me because I know how difficult it can be to see beyond what we’re experiencing in the moment.
When you’re dealing with pain, it can consume your thoughts and make it difficult to focus on anything else. When you’re searching for answers and wondering why your body isn’t cooperating, finding a new perspective is often easier said than done. You want answers. You want relief. Sometimes, you simply want to understand why things are happening the way they are.
Yet God’s Word reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:18:
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)
This verse reminds me to look beyond my present circumstances and remember that there is more to life than what I can see or understand right now. This doesn’t mean our struggles don’t matter or that we should pretend our pain isn’t real. Rather, it reminds us that our current circumstances don’t tell the whole story. Even when we don’t have the answers we’re searching for, we can hold on to the eternal hope we have through our faith in God.
Psalm 34:18 offers another beautiful reminder: the Lord is near to the brokenhearted. What a comfort to know that we don’t have to hide our pain or put on a brave face before God. We can come to Him exactly as we are, bringing our questions, fears, frustrations, and weariness.
I’m learning that faith isn’t always about finding immediate answers or watching our circumstances change. Sometimes, faith means taking one day at a time, asking God to help us see beyond our present struggles, and trusting that He is still with us even when the path ahead is unclear.
That’s one reason the song “How Can I Keep from Singing” by Chris Tomlin speaks to me. It reminds me that, even when life is difficult and the answers don’t come easily, our hope in God remains. Our circumstances may change, and some days may be harder than others, but God’s faithfulness is not dependent on how well our lives are going.
I may not have all the answers about my health, and I may still have difficult days ahead. But I’m learning that I don’t have to understand everything to trust in the One who does.
Some days are harder than others. Still, even in the midst of uncertainty, there is hope beyond what I can see—and a reason to keep singing.
I may not have all the answers about my health, and I may still have difficult days ahead. But I’m learning that I don’t have to understand everything to trust in the One who does.
Some days are harder than others. Still, even in the midst of uncertainty, there is hope beyond what I can see—and a reason to keep singing.*
Yes, I am aware that this blog features two different YouTube songs. The soft ballad “Keep Singing” by Mercy Me is meant for those readers who are struggling to stay afloat. Staying on the same topic, it presents a heartfelt prayer to God for those moments when you can’t find the right words.
Trust me, I’ve gone through that myself and sometimes remain there.