After winning awards, topping Christian radio, and earning a Gold-certified hit, Leanna Crawford is opening up about the painful seasons that shaped her sophomore album-and why she's now grateful God said "no" to some of her biggest dreams.
On the surface, Leanna Crawford has every reason to celebrate.
Her debut album Still Waters produced a No. 1 radio hit, earned Gold certification, won her the Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, and helped establish her as one of Christian music's brightest new voices.
But behind the success was a story of disappointment, unanswered prayers, and learning to trust God's timing.
Now, as she prepares to release her sophomore album, Thank God, on July 24, Crawford says the project tells the story she couldn't have written a few years ago.
"I'm so thankful that it didn't turn out the way that I thought that it should," Crawford admitted. "God's timing is so much better."
Looking back on difficult seasons, the singer says she can finally see how God was working through moments she once questioned.
"There were some things at the time that I was like, 'God, why am I having to go through this?' And yet, He didn't waste any of it," she shared. "Thank God that He's in charge and I'm not."
While many artists feel enormous pressure to outdo a successful debut, Crawford says she's learning to surrender that anxiety as well.
"Of course, I want it to be bigger than Still Waters," she laughed. "But it's okay if it's not."
Instead of chasing charts, Crawford says her goal was simply to write honest songs about real life-and point listeners toward Jesus.
One of the album's most emotional moments comes on the track "Ask Him Again."
The song was born after Crawford unexpectedly broke down in tears during a songwriting session, finally opening up about struggles she had been carrying privately.
"I just started crying," she recalled. "Here's my heart."
What followed became one of the most healing experiences of the entire project.
"I've probably listened to that song the most," she admitted. "I needed that song so much."
Another standout track, "Revenge," takes an unexpected turn by challenging listeners to choose forgiveness instead of retaliation.
The song grew out of a conversation with a friend that forced Crawford to confront bitterness she still hadn't released.
"I think there are some people I still needed to forgive," she confessed.
She says praying for the ability to forgive wasn't easy, but over time God transformed her heart.
"I prayed for so long... it was really, really hard," Crawford said. "There was so much bitterness in my heart."
One lyric has become especially meaningful to her:
"Someday, someone that you hate will just be someone that you knew."
For Crawford, that's proof that forgiveness isn't about letting someone else off the hook-it's about finding the freedom Christ wants for His children.
Despite having a voice capable of crossing into mainstream pop or country music, Crawford says she's never questioned where she belongs.
"I write a lot about my life and things that I'm going through," she said.
Even when she doesn't have all the answers, she hopes every song points people toward the One who does.
"I definitely don't have all the answers," Crawford said. "But I do have a hope in Jesus."
The exciting chapter doesn't stop with the album release.
On July 24-the same day Thank God drops-Crawford will make her long-awaited debut at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. She's also launching a behind-the-scenes YouTube documentary series that will give fans an inside look at the making of the album, life on tour, and the many people who quietly make her ministry possible.
For Crawford, success is no longer measured by awards or chart positions. It's measured by whether her music helps someone discover the same hope she's found in Christ.
