When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Etc….
(By Horatio Spafford)
I was listening to this song the other day and began to wonder how I would explain it to someone who doesn’t know Christ.
What does “It is well with my soul” even mean?
As I pondered this, a picture came to mind of Jesus asleep on a ship. This was just an ordinary ship but the situation was far from ordinary. You see, there was a furious storm which was threatening to swamp the ship and maybe even sink it.
The sailors, who just happened to be Jesus’ disciples were terrified, the waves were crashing around them, the storm was raging and there seemed to be no escape.
Yet in the middle of it all, on board that doomed vessel, a man was calmly sleeping.
As unbelievable as it may sound, there was an area of peace and stillness right there in the thick of the problems.
The disciples came to Jesus and woke him and with a word, he calmed the wind and waves and the disciples were amazed (Luke 8:22-25).
Where is the link between “It is well with my soul” and this story of Jesus calmly sleeping?
Well, it’s this: Many times in life, problems and troubles around us threaten to overcome us. The storms rage, the world seems to be collapsing before our eyes and disaster seems immanent but somewhere inside of us, when we have Jesus in our lives, there is an area of calm, of peace, of comfort – it’s the place where Jesus dwells within us.
Having that area of peace tells us one thing. No matter what may happen, no matter how hard the trials may get, we have an assurance, a promise which cannot be broken, that our future is secure.
I can say at all times that “It is well with my soul” because although at times it may seem like I’m like that boat in the storm about to get swamped, Jesus is there, not sleeping as he was then, but rather bringing that inner peace which cannot be understood without knowing him.
I’m going through my own trials right now and there are days when I feel like it’s all going to overwhelm me, yet there has never been a day when I could not sing that song with conviction because Jesus was bringing his peace and calm to my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul!
"No matter what may happen, no matter how hard the trials may get, we have an assurance, a promise which cannot be broken, that our future is secure."
I guess it takes a man to admit he cried when he read those words.
You don't know what I'm going through right now, but I like to think that God gave you these thoughts to write specifically for me. I won't go into any of the details, but I want to tell you this post meant so much to me.
I'd like to think that God gave me those words just for you too…. and it's probably true!
If you ever want to share what's going on, I'm here
How bizarre, just the other day – and I can't think where – I heard a snatch of a sermon or something about this very concept, that Jesus' peace was so much a part of who he was, that even when he was shaken out of a deep sleep by a panicking group of men, in a boat tossed and tumbled by the storm, even in that state of befuddlement, he was full of peace, and assurance that 'it was well'.
Praying for that sense of peace for both you, Peter, and Duane, and anyone else struggling with the same things. May it continue to permeate your hearts, minds and lives, so you can find peace in the very eye of the raging storm.
Thanks, Jen
iLike. (X 100)
Thanks Kathleen. Your comment is awesome. I like it (x100)
Man, this hits. I think we all have our trials. I know I am right now. But it is well. Thanks for the encouragement today.
You're welcome!
We sang this at church yesterday and I don't think there was a dry eye anywhere. Our soul can only be well because of who God is and what He has done for us.
Great reminder Peter. Thanks.
I can't even imagine what you and your church are going through right now. I'm just so glad we can ALWAYS say, "It is well with my soul."
Great encouragement, Peter. The trials may endure, but they won't outlast His peace. We hold onto those precious promises. We wait on Him and our strength is renewed. Thanks.
Amen
I left a long comment on your previous post which I think applies to this as well so won't repeat it all, just to say please stop being so hard on yourself. God is about love and joy, remember that.
What did I say that's hard on myself? I really appreciate you commenting but I'm not sure what you're referring to in this post?
It is well with my soul—a priceless condition to find ourselves in–because of Him.
Beautiful thoughts–
and THANKS SO MUCH for helping to get rid of the annoying widget on my blog. Now, it is well with my blog!
I like what newsong said–that peace is so much a part of who Jesus is. And so, really, that peace is also ours if we keep our focus. I've wasted a lot of energy fighting storms.
"when we have Jesus in our lives, there is an area of calm, of peace, of comfort – it’s the place where Jesus dwells within us."
The hope we have in Jesus is not always about "rescue" but it certainly always about "peace".
What a beautiful post, Peter. I glimpse your soul and it is lovely.
You have magnificently honored Jesus here today.
Thanks, Anne.
A beautiful song. We sing thi in the church. There is a song in Malayalam "Akkaraku yathra chayum Sion Sanchari, Olangal kandu nee fayapedenda. When the Lord is in the Ship we don't have to worry. So Jesus said if you love Me, keep My Commandments John 14:15. Now see whether it says Sunday Or Sabbath? James 12:10 if you break one you break them all. Read National Sunday Law on line to find out who is 666 and what is the Mark of the beast.