Louisiana-based singer-songwriter Brooke Robertson released her full-length album Taking My Voice Back earlier this year. Produced by Jeremy Holderfield, the 11-song set—all co-penned by Robertson—showcases buoyant, country-tinged pop anthems alongside poignant ballads, each song a testament to the hope, healing and joy that Robertson is embracing along her journey.
It has been one of my missions in sharing the biblical truth behind songs by Christians to help women who are bombarded with negative messages about their identity and purpose to know that their true identities and purpose is found in God. I had the chance to speak with Brooke about her song, “Taking My Voice Back.”
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
I had never shared this experience. It was something I promised myself I would never talk about, and for 15 years I was numb to it. “Taking My Voice Back” is about sexual abuse. I was sexually abused when I was around 10. I was in a very dark place. I felt alone. I felt dirty. I felt all these emotions. I remember some nights crying myself to sleep, feeling stuck and thinking, "How am I supposed to tell anybody?"
I was a scared little girl. I could either hang on to these feelings. Or, I could just let it go. I could bury it deep down because it was just safer that way. I was so afraid. I was confused with all the emotions I was going through. A year and a half later, I was saved.
I really got to learn the love of Jesus and what that meant. It was then I was able to let my pain go. But, it's also something that hurts. It's something that I hid very deep down inside. And, I didn't want to talk about it. For 15 years, I held that in, but I didn’t let it define me. I always thought that I would never be brave enough to share my story.
In 2018, after a tour I was on, I was praying in the middle of writing songs for an album. I had no direction. I was praying, "God, what do You want? What do people need to hear from you through my music?" This story kept circling in my mind. It's something that I fought with.
I fought God for weeks because I didn't want to talk about it. I knew if I wrote this song, I would have to tell family and friends and the entire world what happened to me. I thought, "why now?" I've been fine this whole time, so why now? Do you know how God puts things on your heart?
In my heart, I heard God say, "Someone needs this." Looking back now, after telling everyone, I didn't realize how common sexual abuse is. I shared my story with my co-writers. And, they were able to help mold the message of this song beautifully in a very mature way. Even though abuse happens, that’s not the story behind this song. It’s about healing and forgiveness.
As I was writing the song, I felt in my heart that I needed to contact my abuser. I was able to tell that person I forgave them, and that God forgives and loves them, too. I was able to share Jesus with them. That was relief and healing for me. God knew I needed that.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV): The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant. Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
Romans 5:8(NKJV): But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Psalm 103:6-18(MSG): "God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, He's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love to those who fear Him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear Him."
1 John 1:9(NKJV): If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Micah 6:8(NKJV): “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Matthew 11:28-30(MSG): “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
John 10:10(ESV): "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
Philippians 4:7(NKJV): “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
What is the takeaway message?
I was able to share Jesus with someone who hurt me. I didn't even know I needed that healing. I thought I was fine the whole time, but God says, "Just wait. Wait and see what I've got for you. There's deeper healing that I have for you."
At the very beginning of the music video, you see young Brooke holding a purple ribbon, which represents innocence. You see the purple ribbon taken from her. That represents the innocence that was taken. Throughout the entire video, you see the color purple. Not only in the ribbon, but also in the painting.
You see young Brooke writing in her journal. She then puts the ribbon in the box and under her bed. That represents me burying it deep down inside. Then you see me, as an adult, painting a picture. I've become frustrated, feeling stuck with it. That represents when I felt stuck and didn't know how to get out.
Then, I sit down. And, I see this box under my bed. I open it. That's where I see the ribbon again. That's me taking it back after 15 years, after finally figuring out how to take it back through forgiveness.
The windows are another symbol of looking past what's been keeping me quiet for so long and taking my voice back. So, I paint this big purple window, and that's the freedom that I've found. It has a deep meaning to it. No matter what someone has been through, I hope "Taking My Voice Back" can help them find healing through forgiveness.
There is power in forgiveness. I want people to find that freedom. This song feels bigger than me. God wants us to let go of bitterness and anger towards anyone who has hurt us. He wants us to forgive those who hurt us as He has forgiven us.
Lyrics
Let me paint a picture Of a ten-year-old girl That tried to say no Had to hide from the world Innocent, blameless But carrying shame telling herself She’d be okay Gotta let go Gotta let go
I’m taking my voice back I’m writing my song Nothing can stop me I’m gonna move on Gonna learn to forgive you You’ve taken enough Though I feel alone here I know that I’m not I’m taking my voice back
So scared of the moments Tryin to escape Afraid if she told She’d be the one to blame She’d better keep quiet And bury the pain Keep telling herself She’d be okay
Gotta let go Gotta let go There’s freedom on the other side Freedom from the pain you hide Ohhh There’s freedom when you let it out Tell your story, tell it now Ohhh Even though the memory still hurts This song is for the other little girls You’re taking your voice back You’re writing your song Nothing can stop you point You’re gonna move on Gonna learn to forgive them They’ve taken enough Though you feel alone here Just know that you’re not
I’m taking my voice back I’m writing my song Nothing can stop me I’m gonna move on Gonna learn to forgive you You’ve taken enough Though I feel alone here I know that I’m not Ohhh I’m taking my voice back You’re taking your voice back
Closing Thoughts
"Taking My Voice Back" and Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant displays how much God wants us to dispose of our hearts to forgive each other. This is not enough; we must seek the welfare even of those who offend us. The humbled sinner relies only on free abounding mercy through the ransom of the death of Christ. Let us seek more and more for the renewing grace of God, to teach us to forgive others as we hope for forgiveness from Him.
I love how the translation of Psalm 103 from The Message includes contemporary language about how "God doesn't nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever." As a father, I can really relate to how I feel for my three daughters when they do wrong. I don't want to condemn them because I love them so much, and my Father in Heaven loves them and me even more than I do.
The imagery of "God feels for those who fear Him" is very powerful and a strong reminder that we are called to bless God and kneel before Him to show our fear and adoration. Try meditating on this very powerful song and these scriptures with your heart kneeling before God.
The Good News of the Gospel is that we're never too far away from the reach of our loving Father God. Jesus promises us in Matthew 11:29-30 that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Jesus came to claim us and set us free from the burden of sin and give us rest. When we are in communion with Jesus, it is joyful and not a burden.
I'm emotionally moved by “Taking My Voice Back.” In the song, Brooke movingly decided to provide forgiveness to her childhood abuser after holding it in for fifteen years. You won’t be able to listen to the song without getting choked up.
As a father, this song moves me deeply. God's mercy is new each day. It's not based on our performance or what we can do for God. He pours out His mercy despite what we've done. And, there's nothing we can do except trust in His Son, Jesus. We can't earn heaven. It's only through complete surrender to Jesus, putting our hope in Him that we can be saved.
How justly will those be condemned, who, though they bear the Christian name, persist in unmerciful treatment of others, especially brothers and sisters in Christ. The humbled sinner relies only on free abounding mercy through the ransom of the death of Christ. Let us seek more and more for the renewing grace of God, to teach us to forgive others as we hope for forgiveness from Him.
This week in America is election week and we can use our vote to take back our voices and speak out for what is right and just in God’s eyes. If you're praying for restoration and forgiveness, join in and pray along, “Going to learn to forgive you/ You’ve taken enough/Though I feel alone here/I know that I’m not/I’m taking my voice back.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a longtime fan of Christian music, an avid music collector, and credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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