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"It's OK to Be Broken" by Maria Segerholm: God Sees the Tears No One Else Does


God sees what others can’t see in you.

Maria Segerholm released a song called “It’s OK to Be Broken”. Two years ago, Maria suffered a rare type of stroke. The physical damage healed faster than anyone expected. But the brain fog and chronic fatigue stayed, invisible to everyone around her. Colleagues told her, “You look like you’re doing so well.” Those words, meant as encouragement, actually hurt. How do you explain a storm that nobody else can see?

Maria Segerholm - It's OK to be brokenMaria found an answer in the iceberg model she uses as a family therapist. What we show the world is only the tip. Beneath the waterline sits everything we’re afraid to reveal. “There’s more than what you see,” she sings, “hidden emotions, like an iceberg in the sea.” That sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Most of us walk around presenting the tip of our iceberg while drowning below the surface.

Here’s the truth Maria discovered during her recovery: You don’t have to keep it all inside. Go to Psalm 56:8. This scripture says, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” God has already recorded every tear you’ve cried alone! Nothing that you’ve buried in silence is unknown to Him. Nothing… and He keeps on loving you!
That perspective changes how you carry pain. Stop pretending that everything is okay, including people around you who are only able to see the surface. Tell someone the truth today, even if your voice shakes. Trust that God uses your reality to bring good to you and others. Bring your grey days to Jesus, who “has gone through sorrows and understands.” He’s not waiting for you to fix yourself first.

May the message and intent of this song walk with you today. Give it a listen, think about the message of the song, and let the chorus remind you that hiding isn’t holiness. “It’s okay to be broken.”

(Related scripture: Psalm 56:8; Psalm 34:18; Hebrews 4:15)

Background:

A vulnerable Christian pop song about embracing brokenness, finding hope in God, and knowing we don't have to have it all together. Honest, heartfelt, and uplifting.

Almost exactly two years ago, I suffered a rare type of stroke. "It's OK to Be Broken" was born during my recovery last year. It is the third single leading up to my upcoming EP, Praise Through Trials, where all the songs were written during that first year of recovery.

I am incredibly grateful that the stroke did not leave me severely physically impaired. At the same time, I was—and still am—struggling with "invisible" challenges like brain fog and chronic fatigue. It is often harder for people to understand what you are going through when your struggles aren't visible on the outside.

I vividly remember my first day back at work; it was hard to even cross the threshold. I remember colleagues saying, "You look like you're doing so well." I am sure they meant well, but inside, I was struggling badly, and those comments actually hurt. I decided then and there to be completely honest about my reality. Every time someone made a comment like that, I would gently tell them that while it might not look like it, I am struggling, taking it one day at a time.

In my work as a family therapist, we frequently use the "iceberg model" when discussing emotions. Briefly explained, the model illustrates that the emotions we show are just the tip of the iceberg; there is so much beneath the surface that remains hidden. While all emotions are valid, it is so easy to feel like we have to hide the painful ones.

Inspired by this model and my own experience of people assuming I was fine, I brought this song idea to a co-writing session with my friends Carli Lessing and Zelda Nera Hutzenbeler. Although we live across three different continents and cultures, the concept resonated deeply with all of us. In the bridge, we also chose to reference Psalm 56:8, which beautifully illustrates how God sees and keeps track of every tear we cry. It was such a joy to create this song together, and to later have Carli and Zelda produce it. At its heart, the message is this: there’s so much more to a person than what we see on the surface, and it’s OK to be broken. Even when other people don’t understand, God does. He sees it all. He loves you, and He never leaves your side. Carli, Zelda, and I pray that the song will touch hearts and encourage others who need it, just as it has encouraged me throughout my recovery.

Release date: September 11, 2026

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