Christian Artist Seph Schlueter Reflects on Pain and Praise in His Music

For Christian artist Seph Schlueter, his songs about praising God during times of pain took on new significance last August when he and his wife faced a heartbreaking loss. While preparing for a new album, he learned during a routine ultrasound that their daughter, Charlotte Davy Schlutheran, no longer had a heartbeat. He described that month as one of “the most difficult of our lives” on social media, acknowledging both the joy of faith and the heaviness of grief.

Interestingly, Schlueter’s songs often take time to develop, sometimes written even years prior to their release. One track, This Side of Heaven, found renewed meaning amidst his personal tragedy.

“It’s about praising God through the pain and in the midst of suffering,” he explained, noting that such praise is something we can only fully understand from this side of heaven.

He mentioned that this song had been crafted alongside co-writers who were also navigating their own struggles at the time. “Suddenly, it became a lifeline for me,” he reflected. “I don’t know why things happen the way they do, but I’m still going to offer this gift.”

His debut album, which also shares the title Count My Blessings (Provident), was released this month, blending folk, pop, and worship elements. The album features themes of hope, love, and resilience.

As for tracks like This Side of Heaven and another one, It Won’t Start Now, they resonate differently for Schlueter now. “I originally wrote that song reflecting on God’s faithfulness in times of clarity,” he said, though he recently found it challenging to sing, despite the words still being true.

“It’s hard to feel that way sometimes,” he admitted. “So having those songs that remind us of truth when we don’t completely feel it is so important.”

Schlueter’s breakout hit in 2023, Count My Blessings, has gained significant traction, becoming a viral sensation with over 800,000 TikTok videos featuring it and amassing 61 million streams on Spotify.

He recalled the intent behind the lyrics as a declaration of God’s answers to long-held prayers. “We expressed it as if we were living in the answers we prayed for years ago, but it’s easy to overlook those moments,” he shared. “Sometimes we just need to pause and give thanks.”

With a staggering billion streams across platforms, the song has resonated widely, capturing the attention of celebrities and athletes alike.

“Just to see how this song touched so many lives is incredibly sweet,” Schlueter said.

Looking ahead, Schlueter is set to begin a multi-city tour starting on September 18th.