Oftentimes, we proceed with caution when listening to mainstream artists. Songs about sex and swearing doesn't exactly help lift us up, nor do they bring worship to God. For me, listening to Christian music is safe. For the most part, I don't have to worry about the lyrics because I know and trust the artists. 

However, I sometimes listen to mainstream music as well. This is often difficult and disappointing--as you might have already experienced yourself. I hear a catchy song on the radio, I find it and Google the lyrics to only find disappointment: "ah, another one bites the dust."

Constantly discerning lyrics is part of the game when listening to mainstream music. This is why I have compiled my top 10 songs of faith by mainstream artists, music that is safe on the ears. The hard work is already done for you; all you have to do is to listen and enjoy.

10. "Broken" by Trisha Yearwood 
Earlier this year, actor and director Tyler Perry hosted a musical version of Passion of the Christ, live from New Orleans. The soundtrack for the musical was comprised of 10 popular songs covered by mainstream artists. Among the songs covered was "Broken," originally recorded by Lifehouse for their album Who We Are. Trisha Yearwood, starring as mother Mary in the musical, offered her rendition of the 2008 hit. The song tells the story of a person who is in a dark place who is "barely holding on to" God. "I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing / With a broken heart that's still beating / In the pain, there is healing / In your name I find meaning."

9. "Demons" by Imagine Dragons
Lifehouse's "Broken" was not the only song featured in Tyler Perry's The Passion: New Orleans. Singers Chris Daughtry and Jencarlos Canela gave their rendition of Imagine Dragons' massive hit single "Demons." 

In the song, Imagine Dragons' lead singer Dan Reynolds shares the story of a man's heart, tormented by inner "demons." At first, I thought the song was a man trying to protect his wife or girlfriend, pulling back because of his own demons. Then I looked at the tune from another perspective: a struggling man living in a dark world, searching for a spiritual savior. 

The singer condemns himself and leaves his future to fate, but once this doesn't work he calls out for help: "I cannot stop this now until you show me how." Of course, whom Reynolds is calling out to for help is interpretive; I think it is God. 

I was delighted how Tyler Perry used the song in The Passion. The song is a conversation between Jesus (portrayed by Canela) and Judas Iscariot (portrayed by Daughtry). Judas gives his reasons for betraying Jesus, while the Savior listens with a sympathetic ear. 

8. "AYTA (Are You the Answer)" by Collective Soul
Earlier in the year, Collective Soul released "AYTA (Are You the Answer?)" from the album See What You Started by Continuing to radio. The band's lead vocalist Ed Roland questions--without naming him--if God is the answer "to all I need. Are you the answer, the answer for me?" This song is appropriate for seekers considering a relationship with God. "I've no memory of this life you see / I'm a new born of your company / I'm just finding out, I'm just questioning / Are you the answer for me?"

Another great faith-based song from Collective Soul is their 1994 breakout hit "Shine," from Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid. "Shine" is a highly spiritual song (prompting Pillar to cover it on their 2009 album Confessions): "Lay me on the ground / Or fly me in the sky / Show me where to look / Tell me what will I find? / What will I find? / Whoa, heaven let your light shine down."

7. "I Will Wait" by Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons's smash hit "I Will Wait" from 2012's Babel album could easily be interpreted as a message of thanksgiving and perhaps even prayer: "And I'll kneel down / Wait for now / I'll kneel down / Know my ground." Lead singer Marcus Mumford acknowledges that he can be forgiven: "Well, you forgave, and I won't forget." 

The only question is whether Mumford is singing about God or a lady friend. The accompanying banjo, acoustic guitar and drums, along with the inspirational lyrics, make this song easy on the ears. 

6. "Home" by Daughtry
Besides his recent role in The Passion: New Orleans, Chris Daughtry, along with his namesake band Daughtry, has released several faith-based songs in the past. In "Home," for example, the singer confesses, "I've not always been the best man or friend for you / But your love remains true / And I don't know why / You always seem to give me another try." Daughtry sings that he tires of the world and looks forward to going "home," which could mean  to see his heavenly Father: "These places and these faces are getting old / so I'm going home." 

5. "Ashes of Eden" by Breaking Benjamin
Breaking Benjamin recently released "Ashes of Eden," a faith-influenced ballad from the band's 2015 album Dark Before Dawn. In what appears to be a plea to God, lead singer Benjamin Burnley sings: "Stay with me, don't let me go / Because there's nothing left at all / Stay with me, don't let me go / Until the ashes of Eden fall." 

Burnley reflects on his life in the world and questions whether or not he is worthy of salvation. In a recent interview with Billboard, Burnley never revealed what "Ashes of Eden" was about, but he did say that he wants listeners to draw their own conclusions about the song's meaning.

4. "Be Still" by The Fray
The Fray is another band known for releasing songs with spiritual themes. One such song is "Be Still," a lullaby from the band's 2012 album Scars and Stories. The song's lyrics appear to have been inspired by Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Lead singer Isaac Slade wrote the song as a lullaby to his little brother who was having sleep disturbances. The song itself is about reassurance that God will provide comfort in times of suffering: "Be still and know that I'm with you / Be still and know that I am here / When darkness comes upon you / And covers you with fear and shame / Be still and know that I'm with you."

3. "Something in the Water" by Carrie Underwood
Since she first appeared on the fourth season of American Idol in 2004, Carrie Underwood has been open about her Christian faith. She spells it out in her breakout hit, "Jesus Take the Wheel." On her Greatest Hits album, released in 2014, Underwood revisited her Christian roots on the hit single "Something in the Water." 

Underwood shared in an interview with Taste of Country that the song deals with the power of baptism and conversion: "It's really kind of a joyous, uplifting song about changing your life for the better and kind of having that 'a-ha' moment, to waking up and your life being different from that moment forward." 

Underwood sings in victory: "And now I'm singing along to amazing grace / Can't nobody wipe this smile off my face / Got joy in my heart, angels on my side / Thank God almighty, I saw the light."

2."New Again" by Brad Paisley & Sara Evans
"New Again," featuring country superstars Brad Paisley and Sara Evans, was featured on The Passion of The Christ: Songs, a collection of pop and rock tunes inspired by Mel Gibson's epic flick "The Passion of the Christ." This heart-wrenching ballad, penned by Paisley, is a dialogue between mother Mary and her son Jesus. Mary asks God "why is it your will to have your son and my son killed?" 

Jesus responds: "Whatever happens / Whatever you see / Whatever your eyes tell you has become of me / This is not / Not the end / I am making all things new again." I cannot listen to this song without having a tissue nearby. 

1. "Flight"/"Storm" by Lifehouse 
Since the very worshipful "Everything" from their 2000 album No Name Face, Lifehouse has released a number of deeply intimate songs about God and faith. Lifehouse's most recent effort is "Flight" from the album Out of the Wasteland. Lead singer Jason Wade asks God for strength: "I need you now / There's too many miles on my bones / I can't carry the weight of the world / No, not on my own."
 
"Storm," from 2007's album Who We Are, is based on Matthew 14:29-31: "Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But, when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

In the chorus of "Storm" Wade sings: "And I will walk on water / And you will catch me if I fall / And I will get lost into your eyes / I know everything will be alright / I know everything is alright."

What are your favorite songs of faith by mainstream artists?