Faith-based artist Lauren Daigle joined Sadie Robertson on her podcast this week to talk about her best piece of advice, the lows of 2020, and why 'You Say' is still such a powerful song for the singer.
Robertson says having Daigle on her WOAH That's Good Podcast was in the works for some time, with fans repeatedly asking for Daigle to be a guest on the audio show over the past number of years.
Robertson, a TV personality from the hit A&E show Duck Dynasty, author, and Christian speaker has hosted the WHOA That's Good Podcast since 2018 to share meaningful conversations with authors, athletes, musicians, actors, and speakers.
Daigle had an impact on Robertson's life and faith without even realizing it.
Several years ago, while attending the Dove Awards, a night hosted by the Gospel Music Association (GMA), Robertson was seated behind Daigle.
Robertson says she didn't know much about Christian music at the time.
"You were worshipping with just your heart abandoned to the Lord," Robertson recalls. "I remember thinking, 'Wow, I want to have that freedom whenever I worship.'"
After that encounter, Robertson says she began to pursue worship without worrying about what those around her thought of her.
"I worship like crazy by myself and in front of people just because I love the Lord and the worship is so free," Robertson says.
"I just looked up to you (Daigle) without knowing much about you because ... of who you were in person."
A post shared by Lauren Daigle (@lauren_daigle) on Jul 15, 2020 at 1:10pm PDT
Robertson asked Daigle what the best piece of advice she's received recently is.
"I think about this all the time," Daigle responded. "I think it was the third or fourth tour I was on, I was with this guy, his name is Jason Gray. We were on the tour bus, and he was going through a really hard place in life, and he had to get some counselling through that season.
"He told me in the best voice, 'Lauren, true freedom is giving people the permission to have misunderstand you.'"
Daigle says the advice has been influential in teaching her that offence is taken, not given.
"Whenever you think about people that you could be offending by being who you are, a lot of times that can cause you to limit your expressivity or just who you are."
Dealing with the highs and lows of 2020 - especially the lows - has not been easy for Daigle. That's one of the reasons Daigle's song 'You Say' has remained so powerful in her life this year.
Robertson asks Daigle how she dealt with shifting her expectations after COVID-19 changed her year.
"That is the question of the century," Daigle responded with a laugh.
"When I say I hate change, like I hate transition, I hate change. I do not handle it well whatsoever."
Daigle says she can handle big changes in her capacity as a leader for some time before she feels overwhelmed. "And then once I'm done with the leading aspect it, it's like, okay, now I'm going to go in my room and get on my knees and be like, 'God, what are you doing?'"
The other day while walking around her house and praying, Daigle says she locked a door.
"I don't know what the significance of that was and I'm sure God will show that to me," she said. "As I was doing that, I was just like, 'God, you had me on a path that was finally at the apex of what I had built since I was a kid ... and then, it all stopped.'"
Daigle is no stranger to struggle. After battling an illness while in high school, she wasn't sure she would be able to fulfill her dream of becoming a singer.
While sick, Daigle says she saw visions of tour busses and becoming a musician. "It wasn't until this (recent) tour that I saw what was in the dream. We had finally got to the point of what God was showing me."
COVID-19 brought that - her first-ever world tour - to a grinding halt and showed Daigle the importance of putting her trust in God.
"Talk about the rug being ripped out," Daigle says. "But in these scenarios ... whenever you have something difficult, it is 100 per cent the making lemonade out of lemons. It is your job and your responsibility in life to keep the positive perspective on things."
Daigle says this doesn't mean hard days won't happen and you won't have moments of doubt ("Like, please God, don't make us wear masks for the rest of our lives," Daigle joked). Instead, it means finding beauty and joy in our present circumstances, despite the lows of life.
"God has this beautiful way of giving back what it seems like the locusts have stolen," Daigle says. "He is so faithful in that."
So, Daigle asked God to show her the recipe to make lemonade.
"The recipe for me has been reconnecting with friends that I wasn't as in touch with."
Daigle started a girls group to stay connected with other women in her life. "We talk about current events, we pray together, we read the Word together.
"It's something that I hope continues ... because I've really connected to friends," she said.
"These are going to be the people that stand beside you and hold you accountable."
Now, Daigle is working on enjoying being present in whatever circumstances she is experiencing.
"I know the promise that God says and the truth and validity that He works all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose," Daigle says.
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