"Partita No. 2 - Chaconne" by J.S. BachThis song got me through the darkest moments of my depression. It's a bit hard to explain exactly why, but this piece just reaches down into my soul and pulls out all the pain sitting there and brings it out for everyone to see in all its ugliness. And even though it starts out being mostly about the heart-wrenching pain, it somehow manages to draw everything to a calm, comforting conclusion. My favorite part is around 8:00-9:00, where it almost sounds like there are two voices talking back and forth. To me, it's like the voice of my depression, sure that nothing will ever be all right again...and the voice of hope, pointing out all the bright spots and encouraging the other voice that everything will turn out right eventually.
"Caroline" by Seventh Day SlumberThis is a special comfort song for me, because my real name is Carolyn ^_^ So this song always feels like he's singing comfort to
me. It's a beautiful reminder that we can turn to the God who sees us in all our ugliness, and yet we're beautiful and precious in His eyes.
"You're My Little Girl" by Go FishThis comfort song goes waaaaaaaay back, but ever since the first time I heard it, it's been an important one for me. I guess it's mostly applicable to girls - telling us that we're beautiful to our Heavenly Father. What always gets me is the second verse: "When you're looking in the mirror/ I hope you're liking what you see/ 'Cause no matter what you're feeling/ You're perfect to me...."
It's also important because it reminds me that I need to reach out to God in the hard times, and I know that He'll be there.
Other than that, hymns work really well for me, because they take my focus off myself and back onto what's important. Two hymns that never fail to bring tears to my eyes:
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be...."In Christ Alone"
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me!
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!