As Ye Fall: Lucia Poggenpoel's Journey from Anxiety to Anthem
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As Ye Fall: Lucia Poggenpoel's Journey from Anxiety to Anthem
On JustGospel's Faith at Work with Malefa, singer-songwriter Lucia Poggenpoel shared how God transformed her paralyzing stage anxiety into confidence, and her deepest grief into healing music.
The Social Butterfly Who Couldn't Sing
"When TV went on with music, I ran and danced. My mom saw I loved music and took me for piano at grade 1 or 2," Lucia recalled. She wanted to quit yearly—practicing was lonely work. Her mom wisely pushed her through grade 11 and matric.
The paradox? "I'm a social butterfly, but I had anxiety performing while singing. It didn't come naturally. I thought that dream would never come true—I'd never overcome my fears to sing in front of loads of people." Drama came easily at school arts festivals, but singing or playing piano? "I wanted to faint. The devil knows what he has to destroy. I've been rejected multiple times in the music industry. Singing comes from your own body, your own soul."
Her Christian parents supported her: "They knew it's something I have to do. I have to sing." Four years ago, something switched. "God gave me confidence I can't explain. No anxiety or anxiety attacks after performances. God pulled through. Sometimes you have faith and never stop. I told God: if You want me to sing, take these fears away. Otherwise I'm not singing in front of people."
Divine Redirection
Lucia wanted to study drama. She failed the audition. "Everybody thought I'd be on 7de Laan. I was crushed. Rejection isn't easy." Her parents encouraged her to study classical music at Potchefstroom. She did grade 7 in first year, passed auditions far behind others. "I don't know how, but God wanted me to study music."
In second year, a lecturer walked into class: "Girl, you have to do B.Mus first year voice." Lucia fasted three days. "On the third day, that woman said: you are going to study vocals. I was too scared to audition. Sometimes when you're that afraid, God will open the door."
She studied voice for three years while doing piano—practicing four hours daily. "I didn't practice singing much—too scared people would hear how I sound." Sports discipline from long-distance running and hockey helped. "If you want to do music, you must practice 4-5 hours. I passed because I worked hard."
The Healing Stage
Musical theater doors closed—Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music (as extra nun)—God had other plans. She played at Pretoria's biggest Afrikaans church for four years, singing to 2,000 people weekly. "It was horrific—I still had anxiety. But after 3.5 years, God took my anxiety away. I had to push through. God put me there to overcome my fears."
The Darkest Valley
Three years ago, Lucia's brother took his own life. "He and my other brother are my everything—my best friends. When he did that, it killed me." She was kicked out of a well-known band. "I felt: God, I can't go on. My body couldn't go on."
She took 6-8 months at her parents' farm. "Somebody committing suicide isn't normal death—it really affects people. You need professional help, someone who can pray for you and knows how the brain works. I was too proud. God took me down. I had to stop to heal. I can't sing about God and be happy if I'm broken inside. It's okay not to be okay, but seek help. Even Christians fall."
Seven Times Returned
Last year wasn't great, but God did miracles. "If you lose everything, He gives it back seven times. I prayed for miracles. He did that in my performances, becoming an artist, healing me after my brother's death."
God showed her: "I'm nothing. He works through me. If I have nothing, He must be my everything. My name means light—God imprinted that I need to shine. The devil wanted to steal my light. I refuse. I have a Lord living in me."
As Ye Fall
The song came from her experience. "If you fall, just stand up. It's not how you fall—it's how you stand up. God lifted me from the darkest place. What can He do for you?
On JustGospel's Faith at Work with Malefa, singer-songwriter Lucia Poggenpoel shared how God transformed her paralyzing stage anxiety into confidence, and her deepest grief into healing music.
The Social Butterfly Who Couldn't Sing
"When TV went on with music, I ran and danced. My mom saw I loved music and took me for piano at grade 1 or 2," Lucia recalled. She wanted to quit yearly—practicing was lonely work. Her mom wisely pushed her through grade 11 and matric.
The paradox? "I'm a social butterfly, but I had anxiety performing while singing. It didn't come naturally. I thought that dream would never come true—I'd never overcome my fears to sing in front of loads of people." Drama came easily at school arts festivals, but singing or playing piano? "I wanted to faint. The devil knows what he has to destroy. I've been rejected multiple times in the music industry. Singing comes from your own body, your own soul."
Her Christian parents supported her: "They knew it's something I have to do. I have to sing." Four years ago, something switched. "God gave me confidence I can't explain. No anxiety or anxiety attacks after performances. God pulled through. Sometimes you have faith and never stop. I told God: if You want me to sing, take these fears away. Otherwise I'm not singing in front of people."
Divine Redirection
Lucia wanted to study drama. She failed the audition. "Everybody thought I'd be on 7de Laan. I was crushed. Rejection isn't easy." Her parents encouraged her to study classical music at Potchefstroom. She did grade 7 in first year, passed auditions far behind others. "I don't know how, but God wanted me to study music."
In second year, a lecturer walked into class: "Girl, you have to do B.Mus first year voice." Lucia fasted three days. "On the third day, that woman said: you are going to study vocals. I was too scared to audition. Sometimes when you're that afraid, God will open the door."
She studied voice for three years while doing piano—practicing four hours daily. "I didn't practice singing much—too scared people would hear how I sound." Sports discipline from long-distance running and hockey helped. "If you want to do music, you must practice 4-5 hours. I passed because I worked hard."
The Healing Stage
Musical theater doors closed—Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music (as extra nun)—God had other plans. She played at Pretoria's biggest Afrikaans church for four years, singing to 2,000 people weekly. "It was horrific—I still had anxiety. But after 3.5 years, God took my anxiety away. I had to push through. God put me there to overcome my fears."
The Darkest Valley
Three years ago, Lucia's brother took his own life. "He and my other brother are my everything—my best friends. When he did that, it killed me." She was kicked out of a well-known band. "I felt: God, I can't go on. My body couldn't go on."
She took 6-8 months at her parents' farm. "Somebody committing suicide isn't normal death—it really affects people. You need professional help, someone who can pray for you and knows how the brain works. I was too proud. God took me down. I had to stop to heal. I can't sing about God and be happy if I'm broken inside. It's okay not to be okay, but seek help. Even Christians fall."
Seven Times Returned
Last year wasn't great, but God did miracles. "If you lose everything, He gives it back seven times. I prayed for miracles. He did that in my performances, becoming an artist, healing me after my brother's death."
God showed her: "I'm nothing. He works through me. If I have nothing, He must be my everything. My name means light—God imprinted that I need to shine. The devil wanted to steal my light. I refuse. I have a Lord living in me."
As Ye Fall
The song came from her experience. "If you fall, just stand up. It's not how you fall—it's how you stand up. God lifted me from the darkest place. What can He do for you?
