God Took My Voice Away?

 In All Posts, Founder's Blog, RYFO Staff

In 2004, God took my voice away.

My introduction in to church ministry was through an older worship leader named Bobby who invited me in to a mentoring relationship after I graduated high school. Despite Bobby’s constant efforts to curb my natural tendency to glorify myself on stage, I began to find my identity in my ability and opportunities to lead worship for our student ministry of 400+ high schoolers. Three years later, after a few rounds at community college, playing in local bands, and quite a bit of worship leading, I decided to enroll at a 4-year school to study “CCM” (contemporary Christian music). there I joined an emo band, straightened my long hair, and wore tight girl jeans. Oh yes, size 11. But by the end of that year, God had begun to steer things in a new direction. Two things began to happen simultaneously. One, He birthed the beginning of the RYFO vision in my heart, and two, He began to take my singing voice from me.

By the end of that first year away at school, I was taking steps to transfer (to a Bible school), while suffering with a quickly deteriorating voice.  Arriving at Bible school that next year, I was physically unable to sing or sometimes even speak.  What had once been my identity and idol, was supernaturally ripped from my throat.  I saw several doctors in downtown Chicago, seeking help and healing, endured not-so-fun cameras being shoved down my nose, and medication that just didn’t help.  The doctors were unable to explain my issues.  So they dubbed it “unexplained severe vocal fatigue”.  In an environment (Bible school) where I probably would have sought recognition and value from being a regular worship leader for the student body, I was blocked and rescued from myself.

I have this distinct memory of standing, not-singing (unable to) Matt & Beth Redman’s “Blessed Be Your Name” with the student body during a mid-week chapel service.  As “we” sang the bridge section, I began to weep…

You give and take away.
You give and take away.
My heart will choose to say,
Lord blessed be your name.

It was in that moment that God and I got really honest.  My heart was broken.  I missed singing.  I was bitter that God had allowed me to loose my voice.  I felt lost, not knowing what talent I had to offer Him any longer…  And I was finally able to praise Him in spite of my circumstance.  As I read those words on the screen, I cried and cried because I finally meant them.

God knew that as long as I desired to be a rock star (for my glory), I would be unable to serve Him for His glory.  In His wisdom He knew that in order to minister to “rock stars”, I had to not be one.  This is my journey, not a blanket statement of right/wrong.  God knew what I needed, and I still praise Him for it.

I continue to hope and pray that He will restore my voice, in His timing, when He feels that I am ready to sing for His glory alone.  But until then, I am in awe of the opportunity He’s given me to serve other “voices”; some who live and sing for His glory, and others that have yet to.  God is good, and He is deeply committed to restoring relationship with us.  He’ll do what He needs to in order to draw us to Himself.  Lord blessed be your name.

serving the voices,

Nick Greenwood

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Showing 8 comments
  • Luke
    Reply

    Thanks for sharing, man. Praying with you for restoration.

  • Cheryl Lynne March
    Reply

    I’ve lost my voice after God gave me many opportunities to sing for him. Well I sang great, now that I can’t I’ve stopped criticizing myself and wish I could have it back. Finally got the fear to sing for God down enough that I was able to preform without my great voice so I pray he’ll allow me to get it back.

  • nick
    Reply

    Cheryl, thanks for sharing this. Loosing your voice can be such a discouraging experience, I know. Though I know that it has been an important part of the work God continues to do in my heart. I pray that His grace will encourage you in this season!!

    Nick

  • Esther
    Reply

    I think God is doing something with my voice but not to punish me. I welcome the loss of my voice because I trust him today. I am not a singer.

  • Cody
    Reply

    Nick,

    I can’t tell you what your story means to me. I am a long time musician, pastor, and off-and-on worship leader. Leading worship has always been my passion, though I have never had the opportunity to do it full-time until just recently. A couple months ago I accepted my dream job as a full-time Worship Pastor. However, what began a couple years ago as some minor voice troubles brought on by acid reflux has suddenly taken a turn for the worse. My voice has become virtually unusable, even though the doctors can’t seem to find anything physically wrong with my vocal chords. The diagnosis I have received is Muscle Tension Dysphonia, but no amount of therapy has helped. I am now facing the pressures I put on myself to “prove” myself to my new congregation, while my voice is failing me. I am incredibly discouraged, and constantly have to remind myself that my identity is in Christ, NOT in singing. This quote from Job 1:21 has become my mantra, “The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” Thank you for sharing your story. It is encouraging to know there are others out there who understand where I’m at.

  • Anna
    Reply

    Almost two years ago now that i suddenly lost my singing voice. Same story, doctors couldn’t find anything wrong (except a lot of tension in my neck and shoulders). Even talking hurts. My voice feels incredibly fatigued and the sound has changed.
    The pain over this loss is indescribable and it is getting worse over time. Ever since i can remember i have sung. Every day. It was my way of communicating really, my way of expression and of dealing with difficulties. I loved worshipping God (i have been in a worship band and lead worship at a church in the UK for a while) and i also was a singer/songwriter. I have been through quite a number of difficulties in the past years and i tend to think that losing the ability to sing is caused by those things. (My parents’ devastating divorce happened around the same time as losing my voice). But since singing and writing songs was my way of dealing with pain and a major stress release and source of grounding, i have been spiralling downwards ever since.
    I am severely depressed and exhausted, can no longer sleep even without meds and will be hospitalized soon because of severe anxiety on top of it. It is no longer possible for to feel any hope, however small. I am struggling to believe that God loves me or even knows that i exist. I am trying to make sense of it, that God took my singing away for a bigger plan but all i see is that it completely broke me (along with all the other losses happening around the same time). I miss singing, i miss the choir i just joined before it happened, i miss composing music, i miss going to church (worship is too painful for me).
    I just needed to share this with people who understand; it is such a lonely struggle. I pray for strength, healing and clarity for all of you.

  • Leo C
    Reply

    God bless you guys.
    Former pro vocalist and musician in the secular “arena” here and living in Los Angeles- also formerly from Chicago.
    I have had the unpleasurable experience of having music taken from me as well, yet in hindsight for very good reasons.

    Former ego-driven hard-core atheist with “no need for any God” until I ran into myself with crystal meth.

    To make a long story short, God allowed Satan to away my music via a house break in, removing all of my equipment and just about 100% of my riffs and professional studio recordings, which took (what wind I had left for the rock business, given the ongoing industry climate) out of my sails and forced me to reassess my entire life.

    One major dog bite, one crippling motorcycle crash, and to (amazing) demonic attacks later (partially witnessed by several friends) I realized we have a creator… and After asking God for direction in knowing who He could possibly BE after 43 years of selfish living….. Was relieved to find we also have a Redeeming Saviour.

    God loves us and just wishes us to love Him through His Grace and Mercy in Jesus (Iesus) Christ …and furthermore love each other … even our enemies-Just like he loves us -who happen to be His “enemy” – the “best” of us unfortunately sinning many times throughout the day, in our hearts.

    Blessings to you guys in Jesus’ Holy Name! 🙂

  • Joan Vitale
    Reply

    Paul had this certain thorn in the flesh that was given to him to humble him, no one really knows exactly what that thorn is. . I too have been given a thorn in the flesh i believe for the same purpose, and for me that thorn is inability to speak Oh I can speak but its not clear its broken and not understable to most people. My entire life has been transformed God allowed Satan to torment Paul for God’s own good purpose.

    No one likes to live in pain. Paul sought the Lord three times to remove this source of pain from him (2 Corinthians 12:8). He probably had many good reasons why he should be pain-free: he could have a more effective ministry; he could reach more people with the gospel; he could glorify God even more! But the Lord was more concerned with building Paul’s character and preventing pride. Instead of removing the problem, whatever it was, God gave Paul more overwhelming grace and more compensating strength. Paul learned that God’s “power is made perfect in weakness” (verse 9). I cannot wait until that day comes here on earth when God restores my voice. I do have hope if you are reading this maybe you will say a prayer that I may endure hardship as a good soldier and keep joyful in hope , patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. Grace and peace be multiplied to you.

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