“My Jesus” Singer on Drawing Hope from Tragedy

A TRAGIC, UNEXPECTED LOSS

Singer/Songwriter Anne Wilson was just 15 when she and her family suffered the tragic loss of her brother, Jacob, who died in a car accident. She shares the details of receiving the news and reveals the grief, shock, and dread they all felt for weeks and months to follow.

Anne describes the different ways her family members grieved, and how they looked to and trusted Jesus in such a dark time. They found that He revealed His light to them and helped them navigate their grief. In “My Jesus,” Wilson shows us how her story became an encouraging message to anyone who may be longing for God to wipe away their tears.

EMBRACING HOPE IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY

“'Jesus, I trust You.’ Those were the first words that left my lips after I learned of my brother’s death,” Anne says. Despite the overwhelming feeling of shock and grief of that moment, she says she felt a little bit lighter as she looked at the family picture of her and her siblings on the wall. Anne recalls what Jesus said to her then: “I’m going to give you everything you need to push through this tragedy.”  

She describes the grieving process and experience her family went through over the next couple of days, and how various loved ones were pouring into them in their darkest, hardest moments. Anne also shares a phone call she had with a close friend of hers hours after hearing the news of her brother’s death, and how much it revealed to her that Jesus was with them all, bringing comfort and peace. “He had shown Kelsey that each of us were also being held and comforted by Him,” she says. "I knew Jesus was with us in the pain. He was right in the middle of our grief.”

Days after the accident, Anne’s parents asked her if she could sing at her brother’s funeral. She had never sung in front of a crowd before and was very hesitant. But, after receiving peace from the Lord, she agreed and sang, “What A Beautiful Name,” by Hillsong Worship. At that moment, God spoke to her directly and called her to a life of worship through music. “Losing Jacob changed everything, including my dreams for my life. I then knew I would have a future in music, worshipping, and praising the name of Jesus.”

Anne began her music career shortly after that performance. She received multiple requests from friends and family members to post a video of her singing, “What A Beautiful Name,” on Youtube. She did, and within days, it had hundreds of views.      

A talent scout reached out to her days later asking if she was interested in starting a career in music. With faith and hope in God, she said, “Yes.” Wilson emphasizes how God can bring hope to situations in the midst of tragedy.

THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG “MY JESUS”

Anne recalls staying at her grandfather’s farm in Lexington, KY with her family after the pandemic began. Although her aspiring music career was on hold due to shutdowns, Wilson says she spent most of the time producing song concepts and titles for the future. Every morning she would visit her brother’s grave, spend time with the Lord, and sometimes receive inspiration for her music career.

As she flipped through her journal, she noticed that every day since Jacob died, she referred to the Lord as “My Jesus.” She asked Jesus why that was, and says He responded, “It’s because it’s the truth. I am yours and you are Mine, Anne. We have a personal relationship.” 

Over the next couple of weeks when she returned to Nashville, she met with two music producers, Jeff Pardo and Matthew West. West said he’d received an amazing song title idea for her about having a personal relationship with Jesus – “My Jesus.” Anne shares how in that moment, she felt complete peace and knew the song would be special and glorifying to God. “My Jesus” became the number one song on the US Hot Christian Songs chart, the Christian Airplay chart, and the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.