Faith Behind The Song: "Feels Like a Blessing" Benjamin William Hastings

Posted on Friday, February 24, 2023 by Scott Savage

Faith Behind the Song "Feels Like a Blessing"

“This place feels so familiar, yet so different.”

Those were my words when I went to visit my elementary school as a high schooler. I expressed a similar sentiment when I went to visit a church I once served.

The classrooms which felt huge as a 3rd-grader now feel miniature. That church campus which felt like my whole world now seems like such a small spot in the bigger world. 

While the building hadn’t really changed, I had changed a great deal. As a result, my perception was radically different. 

We experience this same kind of perception distortion as we gain distance from our difficult experiences. The way we described an experience in the middle of adversity is often different from the way we look back on it years later. But, what if we could find a perception reset in the middle of the trial? What if we were able to embrace an awareness of God at work when we’re in the valley of adversity rather than just on the mountain on the other side of the struggle? 

Benjamin William Hastings explores his own perception distortion in his song, "Feels Like a Blessing."

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“I was lost running from the man I’m meant to be

Wandered off and woke up in the belly of the beast

I cursed the rain but only now the flood has done its thing

It feels like a blessing falling on me.”

In a commentary video on his YouTube channel, Hastings talked about the experiences which gave birth to the song lyrics. Specifically, there were three things he described which I think we can all relate to. 

1. Be patient and humble with your own perception.

In reflecting on “Feels Like a Blessing," Hasting shared,  “When I look back on my life where things were really hard and yet I worked through it and I persevered, it's those moments that I look back on and I have gratitude for what it was. I can see that it was those things that kind of got me to where I needed to be.”

We live in a world where we are quick to judge and label an experience. We often put infallible faith in our own feelings and perceptions. This impatience and arrogance can keep us from seeing things from God’s point-of-view. Hastings’ comments remind us that what we find challenging and overwhelming in the moment may one day be seen with deep gratitude.

2. Look for the blessing in adversity. 

In Philippians, Paul was imprisoned while others were preaching with corrupt motives. He responded in surprising fashion. 

“And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ…Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.”

Paul is able to see the way God is at work, even blessing his efforts as he suffers. Hastings has seen something similar.

“That’s the point of the song. I cursed the rain, but it's only now that the flood is done - it's the thing that feels like a blessing falling on me.”

3. Avoid cynicism at all costs. 

As you’ve read this article and even listened to this song, you might be battling cynicism about this kind of attitude. “Really? Blessings in the storms?” That attitude was on Hastings’ mind when he wrote the song and shared his commentary on it. 

“That second line probably could have been the title of my record - Don't curse at the light while you learn from the Dark -  because that was really what the process was. In the middle of all this, whatever you're dealing with, do not go cynical. Do not grow cold. Don't shun the light. And don't blame the light really for the darkness that you're in. Instead, take the pain for what it is. Take the situation for what it is, the hurt for what it is, and even in the midst of that, bless the light. Fight for it.”

As a recovering cynic, I appreciate Hastings’ words. To not become cynical in the face of darkness is a difficult fight. During my time at that church I mentioned above, I experienced deep hurt as I witnessed incredible hypocrisy and toxic behavior. My idealism about church was replaced with guardedness and cynicism. 

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However, when I walked through that campus, I realized those experiences made me who I am. Today, I am more honest, healthy, and in the process of healing from those wounds. Cynicism could have taken me out, but I learned that there was a better way.

That season of darkness taught me things I’m not sure I would’ve learned about life, God, or myself while in the light. “Don’t curse at the light while you learn from the dark” is a powerful line and reminder I needed today.

“Feels Like a Blessing” offers us a deep reflection for the times when we feel flooded. Go listen today and consider these pieces of hard-won wisdom from a songwriter who has been through the flood and come out on the other side with joy and gratitude.


Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani and they are the proud parents of three children. He loves helping hurting people forgive others through his Free to Forgive course and you can read more of his writing at scottsavagelive.com

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Benjamin William HastingsFaith Behind the SongWorshipBehind the Music

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