Mandisa grew up in Citrus Heights, California (Sacramento County) and graduated from El Camino Fundamental High School. She then attended American River College in Sacramento where she studied Vocal Jazz. Then she was off to Fisk University in Tennessee and graduated with a bachelor's of music degree with a concentration in vocal performance. Mandisa currently resides in the suburban Nashville community of Antioch, Tennessee. When she auditioned for American Idol in Chicago, she asked the judges to call her "just Mandisa", and she has been billed as Mandisa (with no last name) on the show since the shows Hollywood round. Mandisa was a backup singer for famed Christian author and speaker Beth Moore. She has stated her musical influences run the gamut from Whitney Houston to Def Leppard.
Idol judge Simon Cowell made several comments about Mandisa's weight during her audition. When he first saw her, he quipped are we "going to have a bigger stage this year." Later, when Paula Abdul commented that Mandisa had a "Frenchie" growl to her voice, Cowell responded that a more apt comparison would be to France itself. These were among comments that drew the ire of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, and would be one of the reasons Mandisa would entitle her 2007 album "True Beauty".
According to the Stronger Songfacts, the 11 tracks of Mandisa's 2011 album What If We Were Real encourage shining the light on whom we really are, including both the good and the bad; the theme of the record also coincided with Mandisa's public struggles with food addiction and weight loss. "A struggle is a struggle, and Jesus is there through it all," the singer explained. "He is there in compassion and grace. I have found that what He has spoken to me through these songs has been encouraging and I think that'll be true for other people who are going through their own hard times."
Stronger
Mandisa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking, why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather
Oh, don't hang your head
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you
Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
Go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
Things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
Things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me
Only gonna make you stronger
The song "Stronger" by Mandisa is a message of hope and encouragement to those who feel weighed down by hardships and struggles in life. The lyrics speak of a person who is in a difficult situation, feeling helpless and wondering if things will ever get better. The singer of the song reminds this person that God is present, even when it may not feel like it, and that He cares about their struggles. The chorus encourages the person to hold on and be strong, knowing that the pain will not last forever and things will eventually get better. The song assures the listener that whatever they are going through, God will help them overcome it and that they will come out stronger on the other side.
Overall, "Stronger" is a powerful and inspiring song that reminds us that even in our darkest hours, we are not alone and that we can find strength to persevere by relying on God's love and grace. The lyrics are filled with hope and speak directly to the heart, making it a great source of comfort for anyone going through a difficult time.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, heard you were up all night
Acknowledge that the person is struggling and hasn't been getting much rest.
Thinking about how your world ain't right
The person is reflecting on their problems and difficulties.
And you wonder if things will ever get better
The person is questioning if there is any hope for improvement.
And you're asking, why is it always raining on you
The person is feeling like they have a constant stream of bad luck.
When all you want is just a little good news
The person is hoping for some positivity in their life.
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather
The person is feeling helpless and exposed in their current situation.
Oh, don't hang your head
Encouraging the person to not give up and maintain a positive outlook.
It's gonna end
Assuring the person that their struggles won't last forever.
God's right there
Highlighting the presence of a higher power watching over and guiding them.
Even if it's hard to see Him
Acknowledging that it's challenging to perceive the help they're receiving.
I promise you that He still cares
Reiterating the fact that the higher power is invested in their wellbeing and progress.
When the waves are taking you under
Referring to the difficulties as waves, associated with drowning or being overwhelmed.
Hold on just a little bit longer
Encouraging the person to persevere through the difficulties.
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The hardships are seen as opportunities to develop resilience and strength.
The pain ain't gonna last forever
Reassuring the person that their struggles won't be permanent.
And things can only get better
Looking forward to future improvements, helped by the current challenges.
Believe me
Asking the person to trust and have faith in the message.
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Repeating the message of becoming stronger as a result of endurance.
Try and do the best you can
Urging the person to do what they can to navigate their situation.
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
A metaphor for allowing the higher power to guide and support them.
Go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Inviting the person to seek comfort in their faith.
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
Encouraging the person to stay positive and hopeful.
Even when you just can't feel Him
Acknowledging that it can be hard to connect with the higher power, but they are still present.
Cause if He started this work in your life
Highlighting that the higher power has a plan for the person's growth and development.
He will be faithful to complete it
Assuring the person that their struggles are part of a larger process that will eventually lead to progress and growth.
If only you believe it
Emphasizing the importance of believing in the higher power's plan for their life.
He knows how much it hurts
Recognizing and empathizing with the person's pain and struggles.
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this
Reassuring the person that they will receive help and support on their journey.
Only gonna make you stronger
Reiterating the main message of the song that the hardships they face will ultimately lead to growth and strength.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, Marius De Vries, Felix Howard, Jony Lipsey, Heidi Range
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@susanm9545
Moses' song to the Lord our God after He led them OUT of their HARD LIFE, TROUBLES, SICKNESS and SLAVERY in Egypt and through THE DESERT,....(this WORLDly kingdom is like those two places - even a PRISON, for us before we KNEW and TRUSTED in our LOVING FATHER in HEAVEN and His True Word Of Heavenly-Love-Come-Down = Jesus Christ :). BUT GOD is here, WAITING on us to call out/cry to Him (He says in Jeremiah 33:3, an AMAZING PROMISE!! to Jeremiah while he was still locked up... as we are... when we do not KNOW
TO STAND ON HIS WORDS OF FREEDOM TO US - TO PROCLAIM AND SPEAK OUT into the atmosphere around us,
THE PROMISES MADE IN THE BIBLE, (GO, AND FIND A PROMISE FOR EACH SITUATION AND CLAIM IT
IN JESUS NAME AND SPEAK IT OUT OVER YOUR SITUATION....:)),
and our enemies who came to us with THEIR LIES, have to flee in 7 ways before THE TRUTH OF GOD - DEUTERONOMY 28:7, SPEAK IT OUT IN TIMES OF TROUBLE!! The enemy and his demons spirits misleading, pestering and LYING to us, CANNOT stand against GOD'S WORDS!!
Father's PROMISES, Instructions and Guidelines LEAD US OUT of our Egypt/wilderness-experiences.
Jesus said: IT IS FINISHED!! to all bondage ( for PRISONERS etc...., Jesus-Fulfilled PROPHECY-WORDS in Isaiah 61:1), of sin and sickness - PROMISE and Instruction HOW to be FREE - IN EXODUS 15:26 = GOD KEEPS HIS OBEDIENT CHILDREN SAFE FROM THE PLAGUES OF EGYPT, when they COVENANT with Him = Believe in, Trust in and test out in Obedience, HIS PROMISES....(see verse below:))
IT IS A LIE from our ENEMY in THIS worldly system-of-lies (Tell-A-Lie-Vision with it's programmes-to-believe-in-lies),
the devil and his demons-to-BONDAGE, that we 'have to' suffer - like BIRDS CAUGHT in A CAGE (EZEKIEL 13, PSALMS 124 :)), a cage of sin and suffering, BUT that has been UNLOCKED by JESUS, after HE came to this world 2000yrs ago - ON THE CROSS - He did Not suffer in vain!! WE OURSELVES HAVE TO, WALK OUT .....!! IN the FREEDOM JESUS PAID FOR WITH HIS VERY LIFE
(ISAIAH 52 - STAND UP, DUST YOURSELF OFF!!), and HE DID IT with much suffering....(Isaiah 53, who BELIEVED HIS WORDS (???),
WILL EXPERIENCE HIS MIGHTY ARM/HELP - WHEN we ASK HIM to take our load, WHEN we LAY IT DOWN AT HIS FEET and ASK HIM to please deal with it,
for we can NOT.....and SEE HOW HE HELPS YOU....!!)
MATTHEW 7:7 (7 means, it is done:) and 8, says to just remember to Seek, ASK, knock, and you will FIND... up to verse 11.... ONLY God is GOOD, He gives GOOD things to those who remember to ASK HIM,..(I pray with the help of Bible words to Him also, to learn new words/ways to pray in.... Psalms especially....:)IN THE WILDERNESS, where people FORGET that our Father God, is a God of MIRACLES, GREAT MIGHT AND POWER,.....SEE GOD'S PROMISES IN EXODUS 15:26, (http://biblehub.com/esv-esv/exodus/15.htm)
24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”
25 And he cried to the Lord,
and the Lord showed him
a log,c and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.There the Lordd made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them,
26 saying, “If you
will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in
his eyes,
and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes,
I will
put none of the diseases
on you that I put on the Egyptians,
for I am the Lord,
your healer. ” (..............I Decided to READ AND BELIEVE His Word, after I Ask Holy Spirit to lead FIRST,.... and He took away the need for previous medications - and when I ask for it, after that, also my aches and pains...because that is how I've entered into a COVENANT-RELATIONSHIP with Him - which I did not know at that time......!)
27 Then they came to Elim, (where we live with Him in a TRUST-Relationship, as our Best Friend And LORD :))
where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there
by the water.
(THE WATER OF LIFE for our thirsty SOUL - The Holy Spirit of God, John 4:14,
EPHESIANS 5:26 ....get SANCTIFIED AND CLEANSED by the WASHING of WATER, by the WORD....Read it,
Think on it, Pray about it, TALK TO GOD about it - It is Food and Drink to our SOUL -
and Not TV, worldly music and magazines, video-games,... FEEDING your soul Deadly POISON...making you RIPE for hell.... FOR YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT AND DRINK....in to/ through your EYES and EARS - the openings/portholes to your SOUL.)
Jesus/Yeshua blessings
@janayawilliams2596
I’m a truck driver and I’m having a really hard time today at work today because of a mistake I made yesterday by not getting enough rest and going to do other things.. so now im really worn out and frustrated.. I prayed and asked God for forgiveness for all my sins and I was listening to Overcomer before this and while I was praying this song came on and it really reminded me that God sees what I’m going through and the pain I’m feeling and that he’s going to give me strength to make it through today and reminding me that I’ll be stronger and more prepared tomorrow.. I thank God for sending this song towards my way.. it’s the uplifting positivity I needed dearly..
@ilialuke5073
First I want to say I'm sorry you're going through this. As a truckers wife, thank you for all that you do and sacrifice. Keep the rubber side down, you're in my prayers driver.
@elizabethspear9551
Thank all our truckers. Thank you
@veronicamart74
You got this...think of all the GREAT things u did...don't let satan have you focus on the mistakes... do NOT let the evil one win.
@Trux3d
Hallelujah fellow Trucker it hit me like a mack truck 😂
@denzelnoel5345
I feel like God is speaking to us disbelievers, doubters, sinful, ashamed people. He speaks to us directly by saying these words, this truly will make us stronger. God bless Mandisa being used to glorify God through song :)
@kadie5429
If anyone wants to talk, I'm here for you. :) I'm only 13, but I've gone through a heck of a lot of stuff (3 people close to me have died, I've been in a serious car crash, my parents are gonna divorce, etc.) and I want you to know that you CAN get through it.
@AnimeLover-ws3pp
Ur life is a testimony
@AnimeLover-ws3pp
God bless u
@Soul.Sistah7
I can tell you are a really strong person full of faith, keep on believing Jehovah has good things in store for you my dear 👍🏾🙏🏾👏🏾