TobyMac does not pretend difficult seasons are easy on “The Hard Times.” Instead, his new single considers how struggle can draw a person closer to God.

Released Oct. 30, the song begins a new chapter following TobyMac’s 2025 album, Heaven on My Mind. He wrote it with Dave Lubben and Micah Kuiper. Kuiper and Toby McKeehan produced the recording.

‘The Hard Times’ Looks Beyond the Pain

The song does not celebrate suffering itself. Rather, TobyMac focuses on what can grow when hardship strips away distractions and sends someone looking for solid ground.

“For most of us, it takes the hard times in life to turn our hearts to God,” TobyMac said. “They seem to be an invitation to sit at His feet. And it’s there, under His care, that we can begin to grow into something beautiful.”

That distinction gives the song its center. Pain is not presented as good simply because something meaningful may follow it. However, hardship can expose what matters and create room for renewed faith.

“The Hard Times” follows a period of strong radio activity for TobyMac. Singles from Heaven on My Mind included “Nothin’ Sweeter,” “a lil Church (nobody’s too lost)” and the album’s title track.

The album later received an expanded Guest List Edition featuring Forrest Frank, Jamie MacDonald, Jon Reddick, CeCe Winans, Third Day, gio., Terrian and Juan Winans.

The new release continues TobyMac’s long habit of turning personal experience into accessible songs about faith and resilience. That approach was also evident in “Speak Life,” which King Kulture covered when its official video arrived.

Listen to TobyMac’s “The Hard Times” on Apple Music or Amazon Music.