I recently witnessed a tragedy that led to the loss of a young girl’s life. Amid that tragedy, I saw a family’s deep and abiding faith.

As I stood with the girl’s family as emergency personnel worked to save her, we prayed. We called on Jesus’ name and asked for his intercession. And then, one family member began, quietly but surely, to sing a few lines of the song Lord, I Need You. After the first few words, other family members—again, quietly but surely—joined in.

As I stood there watching one of the worst tragedies I will ever face, I realized I was also experiencing one of the most powerful examples of faith I am ever likely to see. This family invited our Lord into the midst of their suffering, and it transformed everything. It allowed the light of eternal hope to shine in.

A short time later, when the girl was at the hospital, but the outcome remained uncertain, one of her family members said, “No matter what happens, we know that we serve a God who is with us in our suffering.” We do—but there was something sacred about hearing someone speak that truth in the eye of the storm. May we all have such faith and boldness at every moment.

Bethel Music’s song Raise a Hallelujah proclaims, “I’m gonna sing in the middle of the storm.” That is what this family did. Literally. The most crushing thing imaginable was unfolding in front of them—but with that one quiet song, they chose to not just trust in the Lord but to proclaim their confidence that everything unfolding was within his hands, and that He would walk beside them through whatever was to come.

I share this story not because I don’t understand that they still have an unbelievably difficult cross to carry. I share it because seeing such steadfast, unwavering faith strengthened my own. I know God is real, but their response emblazoned on my heart anew: God is real—and He is with us. May that knowledge flow over into everything we are, say, and do. May it change those around us. And may it give us tremendous grace to sing in the storm.

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”