2023 marked another year filled to the brim with big artists and even bigger hits. New music was plentiful over the past 12 months from brand new acts and veterans alike. Many of 2023’s brightest chart-topping singles premiered as a K-LOVE First. Even more songs garnered repeated listens throughout the year, quickly engraving their lyrics on the hearts of Christian music fans. Without a doubt, your favorite K-LOVE artists gave us plenty of fresh tunes to keep our playlists stacked — more songs than we can possibly cover in one single recap. We’re looking forward to a brand new slate of music in the new year; but before we step fully into 2024, here are 30 songs from 2023 we won’t soon forget. See the full list below.
If listening’s more your style, tune in for “The K-LOVE Year-End Countdown” airing Sat., Dec. 30 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. CT and again on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) at 9 a.m., 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. CT and on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2024) starting at 9 a.m. CT.
“Cornerstone,” TobyMac (feat. Zach Williams)
TobyMac was standing in a field in Franklin, Tennessee, burying his firstborn son in 2019 when he says God gave him resolute wisdom in a moment of deep pain. “I just looked at my kids and my wife, and I said, ‘Wow, we have to rebuild,’” the hitmaker shares. “I built on things I shouldn’t have been building on. And I said, ‘We have a chance to rebuild now. We have to. We have no choice — our world’s been devastated, but we will rebuild on the Rock.’” The divinely scripted speech inspired his No. 1 single, “Cornerstone,” a thoughtful mid-tempo confessional that finds the father of five pledging to plant his broken family on the foundation of God’s Word. The song hails from Toby’s GRAMMY®-nominated album, “Life After Death,” and features Zach Williams, whose soulful, gritty vocal comes in on the bridge with a nod to timeless hymn “On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand.”
“For the Love of God,” Andrew Ripp
Following two No. 1 hits — “Jericho” and “Fill My Cup” — Andrew Ripp returned this year with “For the Love of God.” Swelling with gratitude, the singer/songwriter enlisted a rich Gospel choir to help him express where he’d be if not for the love of Jesus. A sparkling piano and urgent guitar lead the mid-tempo ballad filled with the sincerity and authenticity fans have come to expect from the new-to-Christian-music artist. Ripp wrote the benediction in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, alongside frequent collaborator Ethan Hulse. Perhaps the singer was remembering his long road to sobriety or the indefinite season of waiting to become a father that ultimately led to adopting his daughter and son when he penned the track that reads simultaneously like a Sunday morning anthem and a personal journal entry of thanksgiving.
“First Things First,” Consumed By Fire
Consumed by Fire opened a new chapter for their band with “First Things First.” After a three-year hiatus from music to care for their ailing father, brothers Caleb, Jordan and Josh Ward returned to their first love with a renewed sense of purpose. With “First Things First,” an original ballad pointing listeners to the things that hold eternal value, the Oklahoma natives honored their late father, who passed away in the spring of 2022 following a catastrophic stroke. “For us, this new music is our chance to carry on Dad’s legacy in a personal way,” Jordan says. “We’re able to take the things he taught us from Scripture and everyday life and share it with others through our music and our shows. This is our opportunity to carry that torch for him.”
“Anxious Heart,” Jeremy Camp
Jeremy Camp found peace on “Anxious Heart.” After returning home from a mission trip to Uganda, for the first time in his life, the seasoned artist experienced debilitating panic attacks that literally made him feel like he was dying. In prayer, he asked the Lord what was happening to him, and he says God clearly told him he wasn’t adequately trusting Him with his family, his finances and his future. Found on 2021’s “When You Speak,” “Anxious Heart” now serves as a compass of sorts for Camp. When he feels that sense of fear and dread threatening to overwhelm him, he knows the best course of action is to fix his eyes on Jesus. “When God speaks, I hear a love that is more real than any fear or doubt,” the songwriter attests. “I’m learning to remember He’s the One who’s in control of my anxious heart.”
“I Believe It (The Life of Jesus),” Jon Reddick
Jon Reddick proclaimed his unwavering faith in Christ with his song, “I Believe It (The Life of Jesus).” A K-LOVE First, the congregational-friendly single was inspired by a trip Reddick took to the Holy Land. When he saw for himself the very places Jesus lived out his 33 years on Earth, the Bible stories Reddick has read across his entire existence came to life in a fresh way. As he stood on a balcony at sunset overlooking the Sea of Galilee, his faith became sight. “When I watch the thread that God’s been weaving over my life of grace and love, I can’t explain it away as coincidence, or life itself, or even science. I have to give the glory to God, and therefore, I believe that Jesus walked this Earth and that He died on the cross for our sins. And I believe that He rose with all power in His hands,” Reddick says. “I’m grateful to God that He allows us to have these lyrics and melodies that point people to His heart.”
“I See Grace,” Micah Tyler
Micah Tyler’s “I See Grace” brought God’s mercy and love into sharp focus. The Father’s gracious character shines brightly on the foot-stomping track that gave fans a first taste of 2023’s “People Like Us” EP. “I See Grace” became Tyler’s daily reminder that God’s grace is greater than all his sin. He even borrowed a pivotal line from the old hymn, “Grace Greater Than Our Sin,” for his new song. “When I look back on bad decisions I’ve made [or] things that have been done to me, I would still see the hurt and I would still feel that pain. But the closer that I’d get to Jesus, the more I’d walk alongside of Him, follow after Him and see things from His point of view,” the former youth pastor shares of his experience. “So when I look back at those mistakes, they’re not there anymore. I just see His forgiveness. I see His hope and His mercy. And I see His grace.”
“This Is Our God,” Phil Wickham
Singer, songwriter and worship leader Phil Wickham declared the hope and promise of the one true King with “This Is Our God,” which premiered as a K-LOVE First. Penned by an all-star cast of songwriters that included Wickham, Brandon Lake, Pat Barrett and Steven Furtick, “This Is Our God” served as the lead single from Wickham’s “I Believe” LP. “This Is Our God” is an invitation to recall God’s faithfulness in the past so that we can trust His faithfulness in the future. “I love singing this song. When I sing it, it’s like I’m preaching to my own soul to remember and respond to all that Jesus has done for us. What an incredible story we have to tell of how God’s love, grace and faithfulness intersect with our lives in such huge and profound ways,” Wickham shares. “I’m praying…that you would know more of the depth and the width of His vast love for you.”
“You Will Be Found,” Natalie Grant (feat. Cory Asbury)
Natalie Grant and Cory Asbury gifted us with the collaboration we didn’t know we needed in 2023. Who could have predicted the pair of Christian artists would take the quintessential finale from Act 1 of the musical-turned-movie “Dear Evan Hansen” and transform it into a poignant song about Jesus and His heart for people? The original version of “You Will Be Found” was penned by master lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the award-winning songwriting/production duo behind acclaimed cinematic blockbusters like “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman.” As the two acclaimed recording artists put their spiritual stamp on this fresh edition of the emotive track, Grant’s impeccable range combined with Asbury’s quiet grit to create an unparalleled redemption story. Suddenly, “You Will Be Found” isn’t just a song about helping a friend find their way out of the fogginess of depression and anxiety; it’s about a Savior who picks us up when we’re broken and on the ground.
“Jesus Does,” We The Kingdom
A standout selection from We The Kingdom’s self-titled sophomore set, “Jesus Does” made its radio debut during an exclusive K-LOVE First event. Full of Scriptural truth, the bluesy, fervent ballad gives us a glimpse into the character of our Heavenly Father. We The Kingdom’s patriarch, Ed Cash, leads vocals on the song, with his daughter, Franni Rae Cash Cain, gradually joining him on the beautifully crafted single. “‘Jesus Does’ has become an anchor for my soul… When I feel things getting crazy and the metaphorical waves of my life start getting wild, declaring this truth over my heart and remembering who Jesus is to me, what He has done in my life and what He is doing in me even now, has flooded my anxious mind with peace and given me the vision and the hope to keep going,” shares Franni of the offering’s personal impact. “I don’t know what giants you are facing in your own life right now, but I pray that as you sing this song and open up your heart to worship that you experience the healing, resurrecting, saving power of Jesus working in your heart and healing every part of you.”
“To Not Worship You,” MercyMe
The words of a conversation evolved into a melody on MercyMe’s chart-topping single, “To Not Worship You.” As the band ruminated on the size of our God in comparison to whatever life might throw at us, they started wondering, “How is this not a song?” They quickly remedied that by penning the acoustic-led “To Not Worship You,” the second track sent to radio from 2022’s “Always Only Jesus.” “I understand wanting to kind of kick the tires of your faith, if you will, and ask hard questions. I feel like I’ve done that my whole life,” admits MercyMe frontman Bart Millard. “When moments of doubt or questions creep in, more times than not, for me, it’s when I’m not sitting still long enough to remember how big God is. Once you realize who God is and what He’s done for you, it’s easy to ask the question, ‘Who am I to not worship You?’” Across the nearly four-minute offering, the band recognizes that the same God who tells the stars when to shine is the very God who holds our lives in place; and He is worthy of all praise.
“Something Better,” Blanca (feat. Tauren Wells)
On “Something Better,” soulful singers Blanca and Tauren Wells embodied Romans 8:28. Blanca originally penned the sparsely produced single for her latest release, “The Heartbreak and The Healing,” a 13-track diary entry chronicling the end of her marriage and the aftermath that ensued. Together, the voices of the two earnest vocalists serve to elevate the story of the song and the ultimate truth that God never wastes a moment of our pain. “Over the last few years, I’ve dealt with a lot of loss and a lot of pain — from losing my parents, to going through a divorce — just things that I never envisioned having to go through… But God, in His graciousness and in His goodness, brought me out of that. He healed me. He helped me. It’s still a journey to this day, but He definitely created something better from that place,” Blanca shares of the genesis of the collaboration. “Sometimes we go through hardships and we go through pain or losses, but in the end, He uses it to help us grow, to help us learn, or to create something better.”
“The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours),” Matt Maher
Matt Maher has proven he’s really good at taking sacred hymns or timeless Scripture and setting them to music. Giving listeners an easy way to memorize truth, the acclaimed singer/songwriter did just that, once again, by putting melody to a portion of Matthew 6. “The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours)” is Maher’s twist on the famous passage where Jesus teaches us how to pray. “This song is special to me because of what it references: words left by Jesus to say — foundational words to base a practice of spirituality on,” Maher explains. “I generally find myself needing to return to ‘the basics’ of my faith. I tend to overcomplicate things in my heart and in my soul. It’s simple. This prayer reminds me of that. I pray it every day with my family, and it always hits my heart in a different way.” “The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours)” opens the award winner’s latest full-length project, “The Stories I Tell Myself.”
“Gratitude,” Brandon Lake
A spirit of gratitude can change a heart, as evidenced by Brandon Lake’s massive breakout solo single, “Gratitude,” which he penned with Benjamin William Hastings in Hastings’ apartment overlooking the iconic Sydney Opera House. After initially entering the scene as a go-to collaborator and in-demand co-writer, Lake finally came into his own with “Gratitude,” proving he’s just as steady standing on his own two feet. The No. 1 smash made the South Carolina worship leader a headlining act as the single literally made its way around the globe to become one of the biggest songs of the year. Additionally, “Gratitude” earned Lake both Song of the Year and Worship Song of the Year honors at the 10th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, where he also took home the fan-voted trophy for Male Artist of the Year.
“Ain’t Nobody,” Cody Carnes
“Ain’t Nobody” became Cody Carnes’ first No. 1 as a solo artist when it ascended the charts earlier this year. The Gospel-tinged testimony served as the lead single from Carnes’ first full-length live album, “GOD IS GOOD!,” which preceded 2023’s live set, “Firm Foundation.” “I’ve got a story too good to hide,” Carnes sings against a backdrop of soulful “oohs.” He goes on to boast of the singular power and provision of Jesus, as well as the unconditional love and forgiveness He alone offers. “Tell me who could give me this freedom. Tell me who could get me this far. Ain’t nobody love me like Jesus. And I know, I know nobody could,” he proclaims surrounded by a round of hand claps and a choir raising their voice in agreement. Of the hit Carnes attests, “It’s really just a celebration of the love of Jesus and how it’s impacted my life.”
“Somebody to You,” Rachael Lampa (feat. Andrew Ripp)
Rachael Lampa unearthed the essence of who she really is on “Somebody to You.” With the help of her longtime friend, Andrew Ripp, Lampa silenced the voices of comparison on the mid-tempo pop selection they penned together with Ethan Hulse in an empty church sanctuary. The duet emphasizes the truth that our real value isn’t determined by what we produce, the world’s definition of success or how many “likes” or “follows” we accrue. Our worth is already established in Christ. “When I walked away from my record deal, my life of music, and touring when I was 21, I thought I totally ruined God’s plan for my life and had lost my purpose. In reality, He was just quieting the applause so I could hear Him tell me that my identity in this life begins and ends with the fact that I am a child of God, and that that’s all the purpose I will ever need,” Lampa shares of the message behind the track. “I hope this song is a reminder that no one can tell us who we are, because He has already called us His.”
“Running Home,” Cochren & Co.
Cochren & Co.’s soulful and upbeat “Running Home” borrowed a page from the story of the Prodigal Son as lead singer Michael Cochren shared his own personal journey of choosing to run toward God instead of running away from Him. He wrote the choir-infused track with Matthew West and Jeff Pardo. “We’ve all heard the saying, ‘There’s no place like home.’ When I think of what ‘home’ means, I think of comfort, rest, safety and love. When we go off looking for these things in the broken world, we will never find them,” Cochren shares of the song’s theme. “Ultimately, we only find what we need when we return to our loving God.” “Running Home” is the title-cut of Cochren & Co.’s sophomore album, the 10-song follow-up to the collective’s 2021 full-length debut, “Don’t Lose Hope.”
“God Really Loves Us,” Crowder (feat. Maverick City Music)
Crowder returned with a poignant reminder on his 2023 single, “God Really Loves Us.” A collaboration with Maverick City Music from his latest full-length project, “Milk & Honey,” the song affirms the truth that the Creator of the universe has a deep and abiding love for His children. “There hasn’t been a song I’ve been around in a while that has hit me like this one does. It focuses on the great love our God has for us, a love strong enough to see us through the storms of life,” Crowder shares of the passion-filled, hymn-like anthem. “I hope it reminds you that no matter what you’re facing, you’re not alone.”
“Hold On,” Katy Nichole
Katy Nichole revealed she contemplated suicide on “Hold On,” her third consecutive No. 1 from her debut album. The K-LOVE Fan Award winner says she was literally gripping a bottle of pills when she heard the voice of God clearly tell her, “Hold on. I’m not done yet.” That pivotal moment gave her the supernatural strength she needed to see beyond the darkness that threatened to engulf her and eventually birthed the piano-led, string-laden selection she penned with David Leonard. “This song was written over so many seasons of my life. It’s been probably eight or nine years in the making,” Katy says. “Really, this is a song of hope. I wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t held on in that moment of darkness. Believing there was a light at the end of the tunnel was the best thing I ever could have done for myself.”
“New Creation,” Mac Powell
Mac Powell’s upbeat pop offering, “New Creation,” found the former Third Day frontman reflecting on the fact that he thought he knew God, only to realize he really only knew Him after experiencing hardship. He’s come to discover that every difficulty is a chance to know the Lord on a deeper level and to become better, or perhaps, someone new altogether. Powell wrote the song in the midst of pandemic uncertainty and the touring shutdown, choosing to lean on the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Of the track, the singer says, “I pray that my song, ‘New Creation,’ reminds you that through everything in life, God gives us blessings, support and hope.”
“Thank God I Do,” Lauren Daigle
Nine-time K-LOVE Fan Award winner Lauren Daigle returned to the airwaves — and the top of the charts — with “Thank God I Do,” the lead single from her highly anticipated follow-up to 2018’s Platinum-certified “Look Up Child.” The New Orleans native welcomed her current artistic chapter with the emotive piano-led ballad that expresses her gratitude for God’s presence in her life, as well as the people in her circle who reflect His light. A K-LOVE First, “Thank God I Do” previewed Daigle’s third full-length self-titled effort — an ambitious 23-track set comprised of selections co-penned by the two-time GRAMMY® winner and a select group of writers whose songs have been recorded across genres, spanning Christian, country and pop. Daigle unveiled the complete collection in two parts across 2023 in preparation for her arena-ready “Kaleidoscope Tour,” which will stretch into 2024.
“Holy Forever,” Chris Tomlin
Chris Tomlin will tell you “Holy Forever” is one of his favorite tracks from his latest studio effort, “Always.” The building mid-tempo ballad feels like a glimpse of eternity with its delicate references to those who have gone before us singing with the angels. “Songs are like arrows out of the bow…reaching places far beyond what I would imagine. I definitely feel that ‘Holy Forever’ is one of those arrows. It’s an honor to be a part of a song like this that reminds us all of the greater story — the song of heaven,” Tomlin shares. “I love hearing how this song is finding its way among gatherings, large and small, around the world.” The revered worship leader penned the praise-heavy song — which became his 21st No. 1 — alongside Phil Wickham, Brian & Jenn Johnson and Jason Ingram.
“Love Me Like I Am,” for KING & COUNTRY (feat. Jordin Sparks)
for KING & COUNTRY’s No. 1 standout “Love Me Like I Am” features a memorable collaboration with singer, actress and “American Idol” alum Jordin Sparks. Heard exclusively on K-LOVE first, throughout 2023, the wonder-filled pop anthem encouraged listeners with the message that real love is love that’s offered unconditionally. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone initially wrote and recorded the song for their latest release, “What Are We Waiting For?” The addition of Sparks’ vocal, however, gives “Love Me Like I Am” an even greater universal appeal. “Really the heart and sentiment of it is this idea of this incredible version of love,” Joel says, “which I think is the truest version of love — be it God to humanity or human to human — that just meets people and accepts them right as they are.”
“Praise You Anywhere,” Brandon Lake
Just weeks after winning the first three K-LOVE Fan Awards of his career, Brandon Lake unveiled his highly anticipated new single, “Praise You Anywhere.” The uplifting anthem implored listeners to worship regardless of their circumstances, showcasing Lake’s confident vocal across a heart-pounding drum pattern. Fans initially heard the faith-building lead single from his third studio effort, “Coat of Many Colors,” during a K-LOVE First event. “This song is about turning to praise in and out of every season. There are times when we’re surrounded by storms and times when we’re living in immense blessing… We light God’s heart up when we simply praise no matter what we’re facing,” Lake contends. “Your situation might not change, but choosing to praise will change your perspective. This will get your eyes off a storm and onto God. I hope as you listen to this song and choose to praise, you’re encouraged, and your faith is lifted.”
“Fear Is Not My Future,” Maverick City Music
Maverick City Music’s “Fear Is Not My Future” embraced peace, joy, love, strength and hope across an anthem that exalted the power of Christ at work in our lives. Helmed by Chandler Moore and Brandon Lake, the song appears on the outfit’s GRAMMY®-winning collaborative album with Kirk Franklin, “Kingdom Book One.” The live version of the vision-filled track was captured at Emmanuel AME Church, where a mass shooting took place in 2015 in Charleston, S.C. — the hometown both Moore and Lake share. “What a declaration and an amazing thing to sing: ‘Fear is not my future… Sickness is not my story,’” offers Lake. “There’s so many things in our life that we’re like, ‘This is what I’ve been given, and I have to deal with it.’ I felt like this would be a powerful opportunity to break that agreement and say, ‘No. Goodbye fear, goodbye pain, goodbye to the grave that you feel like you’re standing in.’ Let’s do the opposite, and let’s [say], ‘Hello peace, hello joy, hello love.’”
“Then Christ Came,” MercyMe (feat. Phil Wickham)
MercyMe brought another anthem of hope to radio with “Then Christ Came,” which featured their longtime friend and labelmate Phil Wickham. The mid-tempo track showcased the matchless power of Jesus’ presence and His ability to completely change a life, a circumstance or a heart. The darkness-to-light song served as the lead single from “Always Only Jesus,” leaning on the truth of John 12:46: “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” “‘Then Christ Came’ is the concept of the world coming apart, and then all of a sudden, just the visual of Jesus literally stepping in and changing the whole scene, changing everything,” the band collectively shares. “Literally, those three words change not only our lives but all of mankind… We just love that powerful image.”
“Build A Boat,” Colton Dixon
Colton Dixon stepped out in faith on his No. 1 smash, “Build A Boat.” Immediately charting a stripped-down, campfire-acoustic course, the single quickly escalates into a full-scale, fist-pumping declaration. Inspired by the story of Noah and his outlandish obedience, Dixon drew on nautical imagery and biblical truth to shape the song. “‘Build A Boat’ is an anthem for anyone willing to stand up or step out for what they believe in,” Dixon shares of the song he performed at the K-LOVE Fan Awards alongside country sweetheart Gabby Barrett. “Just as Noah stepped out to construct an ark in the middle of a drought, faith can look a little crazy sometimes. I hope this song encourages you to go beyond what’s comfortable to experience the reward waiting on the other side of crazy faith.”
“Perfectly Loved,” Rachael Lampa (feat. TobyMac)
Rachael Lampa made a remarkable return to the top of the charts for the first time in 22 years when “Perfectly Loved” peaked at No. 1. The mother of two also picked up a K-LOVE Fan Award for Breakout Single of the Year, as well as a GMA Dove Award nod for Song of the Year. She started the self-aware single at her piano out in the shed-turned-studio behind her house, which her husband transformed into a creative space for her during COVID. She then took her initial melody and lyrics to friends Ethan Hulse and Andrew Ripp to finish her first radio single in nearly two decades. The timely ballad also features her longtime friend, TobyMac, who helms the song’s second verse. Addressing the lies we so often believe, the meaningful track reminds listeners of this infinite truth: There’s never been a moment that you were not perfectly loved.
“That’s The Thing About Praise,” Benjamin William Hastings (feat. Blessing Offor)
For his inaugural solo single, Benjamin William Hastings enlisted Blessing Offor for “That’s The Thing About Praise.” The soulful, groove-heavy selection hails from Hastings’ expansive 25-song self-titled debut. With a dose of realism, the track beautifully expounds on the truth found in the adage that life is hard, but God is good. The “Gratitude” co-writer proposes that our response to suffering, pain and disappointment should be praise. He contends it may not change our situation, but it often adjusts our perspective. The pure poetry of “That’s The Thing About Praise” provides an excellent glimpse at the newcomer’s extraordinary pen. Meanwhile, Offor stewards vibrant imagery on the first verse, which he co-wrote with the fellow wordsmith: “When the rain you want is a flood instead, and the roses bloom, but they’re not quite red. And when I reach the edge of my bravery, I’ll still be singin’ at the banks of an un-parted sea.”
“Same God,” Elevation Worship
This year, Elevation Worship served up “Same God,” an uplifting single that heralds the faithfulness of God throughout history. The Charlotte, N.C.-based collective, rooted in Elevation Church, namechecks various heroes of the faith who witnessed God do amazing things in their lifetime. Jacob, Moses, Mary (the mother of Jesus) and David are highlighted in the building ballad that features Elevation Worship’s Jonsal Barrientes helming lead vocals. Part prayer, part plea of desperation, the song promises that the God of Jacob still makes covenants with His children. “[God] is unchanged in His wisdom, His power, His goodness and His generosity toward us,” asserts the group’s Chris Brown, who co-wrote the track with Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake and Pat Barrett. “I hope the song portrays His character and nature in a way that takes people on a journey and reminds people that we’re part of a great cloud of witnesses who have seen this same faithful God make good on His promises to the generations before us, and those to come after.”
“God Is In This Story,” Katy Nichole & Big Daddy Weave
Singer/songwriter Katy Nichole united with beloved band Big Daddy Weave for her second No. 1, “God Is In This Story.” The inspirational pop anthem appears on Nichole’s full-length debut, “Jesus Changed My Life.” She brought the original song to Big Daddy Weave after opening for the band on her first-ever tour. Having tragically lost founding member and bassist Jay Weaver to COVID in 2022, the group strongly resonated with the single’s Romans 8:28 ethos. Lead singer Mike Weaver joins Nichole on the powerful recording. “It’s been a really difficult season of saying goodbye to my brother and missing him, but also a time of realizing that there’s so much more for us to do,” Weaver shares. “This is a song of hope, a song of encouragement, that God really is present with us in all seasons of our lives — the really great ones and the ones that are difficult. God is not giving up on us. He is in the details of our lives. We can trust that He is working things together for our good.”