Portland-based singer-songwriter Candice Russell dreamed of changing the world since she was a toddler. The American Idol season 11 veteran is seeing her dreams realized, thanks to her debut album, So Much More.

Russell collaborated with producer Dave Lubben (Kutless) to write all ten of the album's original songs. With constant comparisons to contemporaries ranging from Taylor Swift to Kelly Clarkson and Colbie Caillat, Russell's seemingly effortless, rich and pure vocal tone exhibits the passion and confidence of a seasoned artist.

Like many young artists, Russell grew up singing in church. The songs on So Much More reflect major moments in Russell's journey, which haven't always been easy. I had the chance to speak with Candice about her catchy song.

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.

This is a song about remembering that even when you are discouraged to not give up, because God has a plan for the lives of those who love Him. Even if I'm in a season of discouragement or a season of waiting, to not be disheartened because God has a plan for me. I want to reach people with music that I have written, and hopefully uplift and help them. The heart of the song is based on Jeremiah 29:11 and Philippians 1:6.

Cutting deeper into the story, there are a couple of things that inspired the song that happened in my life. One of them was that in 2011 I was on American Idol, and I made it to Hollywood week past the first round of judges. Then at Hollywood week, I didn't do my best and didn't make it past that round. It sounds like a small thing, but it was definitely discouraging. I thought that was going to be my opportunity to grow awareness of my music. But that wasn't what God had planned for me.

In 2010, I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease, an immune system disorder similar to hyperthyroidism. Basically my heartbeat was dangerously too fast, and through the years I've had complications due to that. I've had to undergo treatments and things that weren't very fun. It's been challenging, and at times I've gotten very discouraged. Especially when I'm trying to start a music career and having health problems, I've felt God saying to me "Don't give up now, I have a plan for you and it doesn't end here." From a series of events, I wanted to write this song as a battle cry saying it's going to take a lot more than these things to break me. I know that God has great things ahead. God has an intricate and amazing plan for everybody.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Philippians 1:6 (NIV): being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

James 1:4 (NIV): Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

What is the takeaway message for listeners?

Every setback sets me up to come back. And I'm okay with that. I can't control what's out of my hands. I still believe there's a bigger plan.

Since I wrote this song, I released my first album, and that's exciting. That was after a season of a couple years of waiting. There have been great things that have happened, little by little, and that is encouraging. One of the coolest things for me is that when people hear this song and they tell me that this song encourages them. I have a friend who is an actress, and she told me this is her jam. Just like in the music industry, it's hard to make it and you get a lot of rejection. She told me she plays the song loudly and it pumps her up.

When I hear that this song encourages people, that's encouraging to me. I wish I had a song like this to listen to when I was going through hard stuff. The fact that the song has ministered to others ministers to me. We can't rely on our own strength but need to rely on God's strength.

When we go through fire, we come out refined. What we have planned for our lives is nowhere near as great as what God has planned for our lives, but along the way it can be hard to understand the timing. What I've majorly learned to do is to trust God through every season. If you are going through a discouraging time, God doesn't always stop the storm, but He walks through it with you. He'll hold your hand and get you through. Trust in Him and rely on Him.

Lyrics:
Another door slammed in my face 
How many more can this heart take 
I'm still dreaming but they made me doubt 
Another no come back again 
But every blow brings thicker skin 
I'm still standing and I'm singing out

It's gonna take much more to break me 
I know I'm meant for more, so much more 
It's gonna take much more to shake me 
I know I'm made for more, so much more

Another big shot, so much at stake 
Shot down by my mistake 
There's a fire but it's burning out 
Another no a different day 
No matter how many end this way 
I'll still be standing and singing loud

It's gonna take much more to break me 
I know I'm meant for more, so much more 
It's gonna take much more to shake me 
I know I'm made for more, so much more

Even though it feels like I'm off track 
Every setback sets me up to come back 
And I'm okay with that 
I can't control what's out of my hands 
I still believe there's a bigger plan 
That I don't understand, I don't understand

It's gonna take much more to break me 
I know I'm meant for more, so much more 
It's gonna take much more to shake me 
I know I'm made for more, so much more
It's gonna take much more to break me 

I know I'm meant for more, so much more 
It's gonna take much more to break me 
I know I'm meant for more, so much more 
It's gonna take much more to break me 
I know I'm meant for more, so much more 
It's gonna take much more to shake me 
I know I'm made for more, so much more

This song is a great example of what it means to live out the story of faith. That's so much of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We learn throughout God's Word that dealing with adversity and allowing life's trials to remind us of our never-ending need for Jesus leads us into a deeper relationship with God and reliance on Him for His endless grace and mercy. What's cool as I listen to the sincere yearning being prayed and proclaimed by Candice is that I'm hearing a modern day version of David crying out to God, like in the Psalms.

I can tell Candice is expressing her true feelings, and her biblical reference points lead her into a deeper understanding of what it means to rely on God. The lyrics "No matter how many end this way I'll still be standing and singing loud" are a great way of phrasing our daily walks as believers. By sharing this sentiment, listeners can feel free from the fear of uncertainty and trials and not as alone in their suffering and disappointment.

At a young age, Candice has experienced trials and discouragement and health issues, and has learned to wait on the Lord and allow Him to reveal His plans for her life. God calls us to have the type of faith expressed in this song. This song includes a heart cry found throughout Scripture, where the saints who have gone before us expressed doubt and frustration. God wants us to say back to Him what we are struggling with and ask Him to help us overcome whatever we are facing. Even in the darkest times, you can know with certainty, "it's going to take much more to break me, so much more." Candice's disappointments have helped her better understand that God's plans don't mean we won't also have trials, but we can sing along with her with all our might, "I know I'm made for more, so much more." Amen to that!

Watch Candice sing the song here.