Singing Through Life's Trials

There was a time in my life when I lost interest in things I once loved. Activities that brought me the most joy—reading, listening to the radio, music, dancing, and especially singing—suddenly became irrelevant. The most shocking part was how singing, something so close to my heart, felt like a burden.

Even if I couldn’t do everything else, I believed singing would always come naturally to me. Since childhood, singing had been effortless—a gift I never had to struggle with. I could recall how, as a child, I joined the children’s choir with so much enthusiasm that I didn’t even notice I left home wearing just my underwear! That joy of singing with other kids was so overwhelming that even the embarrassment of realizing I was underdressed didn’t stop me from returning to rehearsal.

Singing became a part of me. I still remember the Sunday I sang with two others during service. Despite being shy, I said yes. The congregation was amazed as we sang and acted out the lyrics, especially the line: “He dey sweet me for belly.”

So, when I reached a point where I could no longer sing, it felt strange and unsettling. Singing has always been a constant in my life, even in moments of shyness or doubt. Losing that connection was hard to explain. I found myself overwhelmed by life’s unexpected turns, which almost robbed me of the joy I once had. I cried constantly when I tried to sing, so I stopped singing altogether to avoid the tears.

As a Christian, I was taught to avoid certain questions about God. But during this time, I wrestled with whether to ask Him why I was going through this. One scripture kept coming to mind: “Ask till your joy is full.” This verse gave me the courage to seek answers and pour out my heart to God.

That process of asking led to a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. Slowly, I began to see reasons to be grateful, even when life didn’t look the way I wanted. I found a silver lining in the unpleasant situation—moments to be thankful for and reasons to keep going.

Little by little, things began to make sense. I learned to approach challenges with courage and wisdom and to be optimistic about the future. What changed? The intimacy I developed with God rekindled my enthusiasm for singing. The songs returned—sometimes even before I closed my eyes to pray. Being in His presence now brings me indescribable joy.

Today, I cherish the fact that I can sing in any circumstance:

• I sing even when I’m unhappy.

• I sing when the waiting period feels too long.

• I sing in the middle of storms and trials.

The gift of singing has become a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness. Life is full of challenges, but focusing on them can blind us to the blessings we already have. Instead, I’ve learned to take my eyes off the problems and look for reasons to be grateful.

Is there a silver lining in your life? If yes, be thankful for it. Choose optimism. While it might not solve every problem, it helps keep you in a good mood and gives you the strength to persevere. Find things to look forward to, and approach every situation with courage.

Above all, lean on God. Feed on His Word and pray as much as you can:

• When you’re overwhelmed, pray.

• When you don’t feel like it, pray.

Never let His praise cease from your mouth.

From my experience, the best way to navigate tough times is by getting more intimate with God. Treat His Word like a doctor’s prescription and pray in and out of season.

There’s so much power in prayer, praise, and gratitude. And as I’ve learned, even the toughest times can lead to breakthroughs and blessings.