From Angst to Peace
Matthew West on Finding God in the Struggle
Even if you’ve been walking with God for years, there are seasons when anxiety or feelings of inadequacy creep in. Matthew West, a Christian artist who’s impacted millions with his music, knows this struggle well.
We’ve all faced moments of inner turmoil—times when our fears, insecurities, or doubts seem to weigh heavier than usual. Matthew shared with us about the angst he feels, even in the midst of his career success, and how he finds peace by leaning into his faith.
The Inner Angst of Fear and Failure
You may see Matthew as a confident performer, but behind the scenes, he deals with the same feelings of doubt and fear that many of us face. Being candid about his struggles, Matthew shared: “There’s that inner angst of my personality type is fear of failure.” As someone who leads a high-profile life in the public eye, he feels the pressure to perform and meet expectations, both from others and himself.
For Matthew, this fear often manifests in his work, where he takes on too many commitments to avoid letting people down. “I don’t want to disappoint people… but then it takes me away from my family,” he admitted.
Leaning into Faith During Struggles
Faith in God is central to find peace amidst Matthew’s inner angst. While those moments of fear and doubt are real, he leans into God’s promises and focuses on the truth that God is always present, even in the chaos. Matthew shared how, sometimes, the very songs he writes for his audience end up ministering to him. “I’ll be on stage and I’m singing the song, and I’m going, ‘Oh, sometimes this song is for the singer too,’” Matthew reflected.
His song Truth Be Told addresses this reality, as it’s all about the struggle to be honest about where we are emotionally, rather than pretending everything is fine. “It’s all about perception. And you know what? That is my life. That’s been my life when I was a preacher’s kid growing up, and I learned how to look the part of the good preacher’s kid,” Matthew said, revealing how deeply personal the lyrics are to him.
Finding Purpose in the Angst
One of the most powerful realizations Matthew has come to is that the angst he feels can serve a greater purpose. It’s not something to be suppressed or hidden, but something that God can use to shape his journey and even his ministry. “Somewhere in that inner angst that you’re talking about, you have to come to grips with what’s driving me?” Matthew reflected.
Are the challenges in life changing you in unexpected ways?
When you take the time to pause and reflect, you might find that your struggles are shaping you in ways you never expected.
Matthew recognizes that this tension between fear and faith can push him to pursue his calling even more passionately. “We’re always on the way from something or to something… wherever we are in the moment,” Matthew said, suggesting that everyone has at least “one unsettled part of their life.”
It’s in those unsettled parts where God can show up in miraculous ways. You don’t have to have it all together.
God isn’t waiting for you to fix yourself before He steps in.
Instead, He meets you right in the middle of your angst, working through your fears to bring about His purpose.
Peace in the Process
Finding peace doesn’t mean that the fear and doubt disappear. Instead, it’s about trusting God through every part of the journey. “In the angst is where the inspiration comes, and it’s where the songs come from,” Matthew said, acknowledging that his deepest struggles often give birth to his most impactful music.
Your own struggles have the potential to inspire transformation and growth. It’s in these moments of vulnerability that God can work in powerful ways, both in your life and in the lives of those around you.
God can use even your most challenging moments for His purpose. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of life, remember that peace isn’t about eliminating the difficulty—but leaning into God’s promises and trusting Him to carry you through.
So, the next time you feel the weight of inner angst, take a breath, pray, and remember that God is with you, working in every part of your story.
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