Do you have someone you could wake up in the middle of the night if you were battling a panic attack that would not relent?
My wife calls these people our 3am friends - people who would immediately say “I’m on my way” when you said “Help!” Those kind of friends walked with us when we almost lost our twins 18 weeks into pregnancy and then endured several months of bed rest. Those kinds of friends also took our kids when we had to fly away suddenly to bury my grandfather.
We need 3am friends in our lives because we’re all either in the middle of, heading into, or coming out of a crisis. Life is full of those unexpected times when our plans fall apart and things get hard.
Yet, as important as those kinds of friendships are, it’s also vital that we have faith for 3am crisis moments. Does your faith only work when you get promotions and great health reports? Or does your faith also work when you have to downsize the house and you’re watching your child be taken away for yet another test?
The song "Silence" by JWLKRS Worship is a song for that kind of moment - a 3am faith anthem. In an interview with Annie F. Downs on her That Sounds Fun podcast, Noah Schnacky talked about the song as an anthem to sing over ourselves (or listen to others sing over us) in difficult seasons.
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“There’s such power in the words you speak over yourself. And that’s what we really wanted the song to be as an anthem. When you’re going through the seasons - even if you’re going through a victory - claim those promises of your life…when everything fades away, (God), I believe you’re going to do what you say you’re going to do.”
Whether a crisis strikes at 3am or 2pm, it has the potential to shake us. When God is seemingly speaking loudly and powerfully, we have an easier time remaining steadfast. But, when God shifts to seemingly more silent, it can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under us. Those are the moments, as Allie Schnacky says, that we have to move from relying on our feelings to trusting in God’s promises.
“If you listen to the song "Silence," you’ll hear it’s all about God’s promises and speaking those over yourself in the middle of the season where it feels like He’s not there. (It’s all about) really encouraging yourself that His word is final and that when he says something, He is going to be faithful to follow through, even if it feels like everything around you is saying otherwise.”
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Over several thousands of years, the book of Job has both bewildered and comforted those who worship God. On one hand, God’s silence and actions can send us searching for an explanation or a scapegoat like Job’s friends do in the book. On the other hand, God’s silence and actions towards Job can encourage us when it feels like God’s allowed adversity and suffering to cascade down on us.
The Schnacky family went through a season like this, where one obstacle after another arrived in their family’s path, culminating when their grandfather fell on Father’s Day. On the That Sounds Fun show, Allie shared how the grandfather hit his head, became paralyzed, and doctors said he’d never walk again. Additionally, nothing could touch his skin without him feeling like he was being electrocuted.
“That (season is) really where that song (was) birthed out off…Don’t buy into that lie that (Satan’s) putting in your mind that things are over; continue to push forward and faith, continue to believe God for who He says that He is.”
This sentiment is shared between Allie and Job who, after he’s lost his wealth, health, and children said, “The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”
Can you praise God today when He takes away something you hold dear?
Can you praise God today when He seems silent?
Can you praise God today when it feels like things are over and hope is lost?
"Silence" offers us a chance to join thousands of other Jesus followers (Jesus Walkers as the band’s name origin indicates) in a declaration of faith.
“Even in the silence
Jesus you’re working
And I believe it still…
So let your promise be fulfilled.”
If that faith seems beyond your reach today, then consider these three steps. First, instead of singing that song yourself, let the JWLKERS declare it over you. Lean on their faith while yours feels weak. Second, share with a friend about where you’re struggling. Dark and secret struggles always have less power when they become known and enter the light. Third, pray honestly to God like the man in the Gospels did who needed Jesus to heal his child. “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”
If that prayer accurately describes your struggle today, then my prayer for you is found in a slight rewording of the opening lyrics of "Silence."
As you walk through fire
Let it purify you
I know God is with you there
Though fear and doubt may find you
God holds the victory
Amen.
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps you laugh, challenges you to think, and invites you to grow. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani, an award-winning attorney, and they are the parents of three growing savages. You can read more of Scott’s writing at scottsavagelive.com.
