Hip hop Christian artist Tedashii knows what it’s like to walk the road of pain and suffering. Last year, his one-year-old son died, and he was left with a shattered heart.

His fourth album--Below Paradise--conveys much of his difficult journey during the past year.

We interviewed Tedashii, an engaging man who doesn’t sugarcoat the pain of his loss. He admits that he’s wrestled with God’s goodness during this season of his life, but he remains faithful to God and the promises found in Scripture.

ABS: Tell us about your journey.

Tedashii: A year ago, I lost my one-year-old son. There were people who wanted to be loving and share words. But presence is way more important. …Your being there for someone else. If you’re a brother or sister in the Lord, you do what Scripture says: Mourn with me. Grieve with me. Be with me.

ABS: Tell us how Scripture influenced your walk while making the album.

Tedashii: Paul speaks to the church and says we don’t grieve as the pagans, who don’t have hope. Prior to last year, I would have said this with an informed idea of what it means not to grieve as the world does because we have hope. But now, experientially, I’d say it’s a fight to actually agree to that.

ABS: What’s your favorite from the album?

Tedashii: Nothing I Can Do is my one of my favorites. [It communicates] that I’m hurting, but by the power of the Spirit I can progress, keep moving and hold on.

ABS: What are your favorite Bible verses?

Tedashii: Before every concert, I read Psalm 145 and Psalm 119:68. I go to these because they remind me of God’s goodness. I’ve also been reading John 10 and how God is the good shepherd. …My goal is to soak in the Lord’s goodness, but after such a tragedy, I wrestled with God’s goodness. But he is here to bring life more abundantly. When my mind is running from that truth, I need to recognize that and run back to it.

ABS: What do you want audiences to take back with them?

Tedashii: The struggle of reconciling living in a harsh world with a loving God. Look at the news … on and on go the stories of loss of life. There’s a harshness in this life. … but I hope to communicate the honest truth of the Gospel as well as hope in a God that is good.

ABS: What’s the last message you want to leave with an audience?

Tedashii: John the Baptist was one of the greatest men born of a woman. He said that he must decrease so that Jesus would increase. What I want audiences to take away is this: Are you willing to decrease in whatever way necessary so that Jesus can increase in the world?

Watch the full interview with Tedashii at ABSAtrium.com/Live