Happy June and Happy Saturday, everyone. In my home state of Maryland, it’s a beautiful day. So, if you’re reading this, I thank and appreciate you and hope we can give thanks to the real power behind the scenes. No, I don’t belong to a church and do many unorthodox things. I’m not your “perfect” Christian, as I engage in secularity as well as more spiritual approaches to life. But no one is perfect. I always give praise, especially since I’ve been through a lot but still stand tall. Even when my days get darker than black, God has blessed me with the ability to see even the smallest inkling of positivity and keep it pushing. Negativity is a part of life, but you can never stew in it. That’s why, even when I’m at my lowest, I usually bounce back in a day or two.

Danny Copeland understands this idea of finding the light in the darkness through the grace of Jesus. Copeland is an artist who’s devoted to promoting the Word while also providing listeners with playlist-ready music. On “Pressure,” Danny displays his thoughts on how to keep the devil off. The song itself, released yesterday, is a two-minute ride that whisks us away from that darkness we find ourselves in. It does so with a sound that’s contemporary and radio-friendly. In other words, “Pressure” is the type of alt-rap-meets-CHH track that’ll make sure you’re nourished emotionally and spiritually, while being entertained. It’s the type of song I’d play on a Sunday morning, during weekend cleaning (since I purge negativity stemming from that last week’s struggles and miscues). It’s also the type of song that I’d play whenever I want to give thanks and praise in my own way. “Pressure” aims to show listeners that “there is fulfillment in a relationship with Christ.” Honestly, it’s the perfect song for what I’ve gone through the last several months

Without distracting too much from Copeland’s excellent work, this is a song that’s further brought me back out of a dark place and started me back to actually using my powers and strengths to prosper. Idle hands, after all, are the devil’s workshop. I’m still learning to not overthink as much. It’s a process, one where I’m overriding my previous tactics for life/beliefs about life. However, I know that, even with my overthinking and even while I’m sorting myself out, I am blessed every day I wake up. I’m blessed every time I see my children. I’m blessed every time I talk to one of my friends and we joke about the latest memes. I’m blessed with a job still and abilities to provide for my children, family and friends. I’m blessed with friends who support me, even when they’re brutally honest with me. And you all are, too, even if it doesn’t always seem like it.

I say all of that to say, even when your situation seems insurmountable, you’ve got to make sure you keep your faith and don’t let it waver. You shall be rewarded with what you actually need and a better sense of self. Check out “Pressure,” remember to thank God for your strengths and imperfections, and support dope music in all its forms.