How many of us were raised in church, but life threw terribly hard things at us, anyway? Beth, an Air1 listener from Arkansas, grew up in a Christian household and always did the “right” things. She attended service, sang in the choir—and even led praise and worship.
So, when she found herself careening toward divorce in her 30s, Beth was confused and struggling. This was not how her story was supposed to go.
“I was pretty angry at God. I didn't understand, ‘cause I've done everything so right.”
The pain of this tumultuous time led her to start drinking. She was trying to use alcohol to satisfy a Jesus-sized void in her soul.
“I was using that as my medicine—as my tool to heal instead of God,” Beth revealed. “I was kind of asking God to take me out.”
Beth ended up remarrying, but a new marriage would not end up being the healing Beth so badly needed: Instead, she found herself in an abusive relationship. The domestic violence pulled her deeper into darkness. At her lowest, Beth admitted she was an alcoholic and surrendered everything to God:
“I want to be what You made me to be. The Joyful Beth. The one that spreads God.”
By the grace of God, Beth checked into a treatment facility to heal, where each woman was given a handheld radio as their only company. It was a deeply lonely time, as she was not able to talk to her family, friends, or even her own children.
So, Beth filled her free time in rehab walking around and listening to worship music.
“I started listening to Air1…and started not feeling alone,” Beth remembers.
She listed many songs that pulled her through this healing period. One of those was “In The Eye of the Storm,” by Ryan Stevenson.
“In the Eye of the Storm” Lyrics by Ryan Stevenson
In the eye of the storm
You remain in control
And in the middle of the war
You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor
When my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me
In the eye of the storm
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God was there for Beth, in the eye of the storm. And the storms were plenty: divorce, addiction and abuse. But His love surrounded her no matter how dark the clouds became.
Beth explained that she has been listening to Air1 “faithfully since 2020,” and has clung to it to find God again in hard times.
She speaks wisdom on her story now, looking back: “He was always there. But I became His child, and as broken as I was, I knew that He was the only one that could put back the pieces.”
God never leaves our side, even in the storm. He can use something as small as a handheld radio to remind His children of who He is. Beth's story is a powerful testament to the unique power of worship music. For Beth, the right song at the right time brought her closer to God, showing her His unwavering presence and love. Air1 was a light during her darkness.
Today, Beth works hard as a personal grocery shopper and takes part-time college classes. She aims to become an early childhood education teacher within the next two years. Now she has big dreams for the future and a beautiful spirit of hope in God.
“I hate that I had to be so stubborn and learn this long way, but now…all I want to do is help someone else.” God will no doubt use Beth’s story to help and heal others.
Has a song on Air1 helped you? Share your story with us.
