Ever have a bad day, a bad week, a bad month, or maybe even a bad year? We all have! It has been during those times that we understand the song,
It Is Well With My Soul.
Some know the story of H.G. Spafford, who was a lawyer in the 1800s, in Chicago. He was highly successful lawyer until the Chicago fire in 1871 and then the Financial Panic of 1873, where he lost much materially and financially. So to give his family a break he decided a trip to Europe would be good! At the last minute, however, due to a business matter, HG was unable to depart with his family and sent them on ahead, promising to follow soon. But an unfortunate shipwreck occurred, and Mr. Spafford received word that only his wife, Anna, survived. He had lost his four daughters, ages 2-11 years. Anna felt she was saved by Divine intervention when a plank sailed through the air towards her, and she recalls, hearing the Lord say that He had saved her for a purpose! (Don’t you love that God speaks clearly during difficult times?) As Horatio (HG) sailed to join his wife, the captain shared that they were sailing over the very spot where Horatio’s daughters were lost. HG returned to the cabin and penned these words.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Horatio felt that God had given these words to him. By turning his eyes away from grief and towards God, his heart found peace.
Unfortunately, there will be difficult days. But when we turn to Him, we will experience His peace! Our Lord has promised to walk with us as our companion bringing us all His many gifts of peace, joy, and love!
How do we come through life’s difficulties, saying it is well with our soul? It seems David knew. David understood that there would be pain in this life, but he also understood that God would protect his heart from harm. What’s the difference? Well, Dr. Henry Cloud says pain can help us grow and change, but harm brings damage. God promises that He will protect and sustain our hearts from permanent damage. This is a mystery! But He is able!
It is amazing how God can take the pain we feel and use it for good and bring life-altering growth! He has done it again and again in the lives of His people! There are stories sprinkled all through the Bible of His amazing ways!
Helen Keller once said that she could see far greater spiritually because of her blindness and hear deeper because of her deafness. Of course, none of us wish to be deaf or blind. However, don’t you love how she saw the good in her situation?
So I ask you, my friend, how can we surrender our situation to God and allow Him to show us the good? How can we allow Him to change our perspective?
Because when we do, He will make music out of it all and our soul will sing…….
It is Well!
Brenda Lewis
Executive Minister
Woodbine Church
