The book of James has many inspirational words about trials. I find comfort in James 1:2-4: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Recently released to radio, "Thy Will" features the lyrics "it's hard to count it all joy." The song is the first single from the faith-based country collection Love Remains by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family. The album follows more than 11 million album sales worldwide for Hillary, who is one third of the one of the world's most popular country groups, Lady Antebellum, who has won multiple Vocal Group of the Year Awards and are known for their hit songs "I Run to You," "Need You Now," "Just a Kiss" and "Compass." I had the chance to speak with Hillary about "Thy Will."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

I wrote this song about a very recent experience that left me heartbroken, asking why, and facing some of my most difficult days. It was the hardest experience I've ever had to walk through, and an experience that a lot of other people have gone through as well. 

Last year, my husband and I started praying about having another baby, and we felt it was time. We got pregnant in July, and in September when I went in for my first appointment, we only heard a flutter of a heartbeat. My doctor came into the room and said we needed to take a week and pray. My doctor is an amazing man, and he prays with his patients every chance he can. He told us to pray and find out next week if this baby is healthy or not. In that week of waiting, we were in the middle of our big summer tour doing shows every weekend, and I was thinking "Okay Lord, You've answered our prayers, we got pregnant and I'm waiting this week to find out if the baby's heartbeat will get stronger." Every time I would pray, I prayed the words of this song. I got tongue-tied, and I would pray, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done." 

I hadn't planned on writing for this album, but then I thought I'd take a few days in September and see if I had any thoughts for songs. It ended up being right in the middle of that situation. I kept my writing appointments, and long story short, I went to the doctor the next week and learned I was in the process of miscarriage of the baby. The following week, I wrote this song. It was so raw, and I was in the midst of going through losing the baby. That's the story of what led to this song. I went into the writing process with two people I'd never written with before, and I felt at peace to talk about it and be really real in that moment, and I let them know that all I knew to do was to pray these words over and over.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV): "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through Him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God."

Psalm 23 (NKJV): "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Matthew 6:7-13 (MSG): "The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and He knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who You are. Set the world right; Do what's best--as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with You and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes."

Romans 8:28 (NIV): "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Isaiah 41:13 (VOICE): After all, it is I, the Eternal One your God, who has hold of your right hand, Who whispers in your ear, "Don't be afraid. I will help you."

What is the takeaway message?

This song is my letter to God. As I ask some really hard questions, I hold onto the truth that there is so much to the story of my life that I can't see, but that I still choose to trust Him. I can feel God telling me that He has work to do on the hearts of people who hear this song. It has been amazing to see the feedback of what people have gone through and what this song means to them. It's been overwhelming and humbling. 

I've been given an opportunity to talk with God more. The Lord's Prayer was all I could pray in that time. I had divine appointments with God, and I came across The Message translation in Matthew 6. Where it says "Thy will be done," The Message says "Do what's best." That was a huge moment for me. God's will is what's best. Even when it hurts, and even when I don't understand, God's will is what's best. The way that that came together for me, I trusted God. Sometimes we don't understand God's promises until eternity. His ways are so much bigger than our ways. He sees the whole picture.

I don't know if I'm putting pressure on myself, or if it is just societal pressure telling me to just move on. Because it wasn't visible to everyone around, there is this thought that I should stop grieving. But the bottom line is that you're never the same after this. You can grow through it, but your heart is broken and you're going to be grieving this life that was lost. I feel like there are so many women who may be suppressing their emotions and grief, and part of why I want to talk about it is to share that experience with people and say with honesty that you are never the same. There can be good that comes from it, and it is okay to share those emotions. This song has become the heartbeat of the record, and the whole song was about me praying to hear my baby's heartbeat. He's faithful. The fact that so much tangible good has been poured out already has made me so grateful.

Lyrics:
I'm so confused
I know I heard You loud and clear
So, I followed through
Somehow I ended up here
I don't wanna think
I may never understand
That my broken heart is a part of Your plan
When I try to pray
All I've got is hurt and these four words

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
I know You're good

But this don't feel good right now
And I know You think
Of things I could never think about
It's hard to count it all joy
Distracted by the noise
Just trying to make sense
Of all Your promises
Sometimes I gotta stop
Remember that You're God
And I am not
So

Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will

I know You see me
I know You hear me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Goodness You have in store
I know You hear me
I know You see me, Lord
Your plans are for me
Good news You have in store

So, thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
Thy will be done
I know You see me
I know You hear me, Lord

Do we have the faith to recognize that God uses trials in our lives to refine us and remind us of our need for Him, or are we forsaking God in those times? It comes by making trials work to the advantage of the believer. It sounds great, but it is not easy to do. Each situation requires perception, evaluation, and an informed response. It is within reach through prayer, including The Lord's prayer: "Thy will be done."

The song includes the prayerful words "It's hard to count it all joy, distracted by the noise." In our loud world, just taking time to be alone with God and hear His "still small voice" is a devotional challenge that this song captures. Tune out the other noise and tune in to God. Rather than getting lost in the noise of life, allow yourself to really feel what you are feeling. God is speaking to us in His still small voice, and as believers we need to take time to "be still and know that He is God." 

My wife and I have been blessed with three young daughters, yet we also lost a baby after our first daughter was born. My heart really goes out to Hillary and her husband and any family who has suffered that pain. We need to live each day knowing that despite circumstances, God has a plan for "those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

One of the main themes of this song fits right in with the passage from James: taking what God has given you and offering it back to God as a sacrifice of praise, knowing that God "works all things together for good." There's a lyric in the song: "I know You see me, I know You hear me Lord, Your plans are for me, goodness You have in store." That's the bottom line. We have nothing to bring. We may not understand God's will, but we know we can trust Him. When we are on our knees before Him, raising our empty hands, we are closest to God. That's a gift that God wants all of His children to have. That's worthy of all our praise. When you don't know the words to express your feelings to God, pray along with Hillary, "Thy will be done, Thy will be done, Thy will be done, I know You're good." Amen to that!

Watch the music video below.