Seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner TobyMac is beginning a new chapter with the release of his latest single, “The Hard Times,” a faith-centred song that explores how difficult experiences can shape personal growth and deepen a relationship with God.
Released on October 30, 2026, the track follows his chart-topping 2025 album, Heaven On My Mind. Written by TobyMac alongside Dave Lubben and Micah Kuiper, and produced by Kuiper and McKeehan, the song acknowledges the pain and uncertainty that can accompany challenging seasons while offering encouragement to those searching for hope.
Known for drawing on real-life experiences in his songwriting, TobyMac approaches the subject with the honesty that has connected his music with listeners for decades. Rather than suggesting that hardship itself is something to celebrate, “The Hard Times” considers how people can emerge from difficult experiences with stronger faith, greater perspective and a renewed sense of purpose.
“For most of us, it takes the hard times in life to turn our hearts to God,” TobyMac says of the song’s inspiration. “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.”
The message reflects a familiar thread throughout TobyMac’s catalogue: finding light during seasons of loss, uncertainty and personal struggle. By turning those experiences into music, he offers listeners a reminder that they do not have to face their challenges alone.
The new release arrives with considerable momentum behind the artist. TobyMac has accumulated more than five billion global career streams, built a social media following of over eight million and scored eight consecutive No. 1 radio singles since 2022.
His previous album, Heaven On My Mind, made an immediate impact upon release, debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart and generating more than 5.1 million global streams in its opening week. Among its successes, “Nothin’ Sweeter” spent nine consecutive weeks at No. 1, while “a lil Church (nobody’s too lost)” topped Billboard’s AC chart. The album’s title track also reached No. 1 on both the Billboard and Mediabase AC charts, extending TobyMac’s run of consecutive radio chart-toppers to eight.
In June 2026, he expanded the album with Heaven On My Mind – Guest List Edition, bringing together a range of collaborators for new interpretations of its songs and other fan favourites. The project features Forrest Frank, Jamie MacDonald, Jon Reddick, CeCe Winans, Third Day, gio., Terrian and Juan Winans. Standout collaborations include “Heaven On My Mind” with Forrest Frank, “God Did It” with Jamie MacDonald and “Oh My Soul (Psalm 103)” with CeCe Winans.
TobyMac is also preparing for a busy touring schedule. This autumn, he will share the road with Third Day and Chris Tomlin before launching HITS DEEP 2027 on January 28, 2027, alongside Jeremy Camp and Seph Schlueter. Tour dates and ticket information are available at TobyMac.com/tour.
With “The Hard Times,” TobyMac turns his attention to the lessons that can emerge from life’s most demanding moments. It is an encouraging start to his next musical chapter, carrying a message of perseverance and faith for anyone learning to find hope in the middle of a difficult season.
