It is Well!

Sometimes words fail you.  You really don’t know what to say or can't find the right words to pray.  This is why I love worship music so much!  I can be at a loss for how to express what I’m feeling or thinking, and hear a song that seems like the author had a glimpse into my heart when they were composing the song.  It can minister to me more than a million well-meaning words.  I think sometimes these songs that minister to us are the Holy Spirit's way of giving us the words to pray over ourselves, those we love, and situations.

We all know that life is not without pain.  According to scripture, trials and suffering are a certainty in this world.  John 16:33 (HCSB) says, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace.  You WILL HAVE SUFFERING in this world.  Be courageous!  I have conquered the world."

Pain is never without purpose, even if we can't see or understand it on this side of eternity.  In our humanness, we can not see the grand design of God's plans for us, but we can be guaranteed that He creates beauty from ashes. (Is. 61:3) 

Many valuable things come from suffering.  2 Timothy 2:12, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him."  Romans 5:3 say, "Tribulation works patience."  David said, "It is good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes." (Ps.119:71)
     
Whatever season (Ecclesiastes 3) you find yourself in, just remember that the wind and waves still know His Name!  Let go and trust in Him!

I would like to share the story behind the great Hymn, It is Well with My Soul, by Horatio Spafford.  When I learned about it years ago, it gave me a greater appreciation for the hymn.  (Which is one my all time favorites!) 

This hymn was written after some very traumatic events in Spafford’s life.  First, was the death of his only son from Scarlet Fever in 1870. Secondly, he lost a significant amount of investment properties in property in Chicago which was decimated by a great fire in 1871.  His business was greatly affected by the economic downturn of 1873.  At this particular time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family.  In a late change of plans, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business.

While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank after a collision, and all four of Spafford's daughters died.  His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone …".  Shortly after, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife in England, he was inspired to write the words of It is Well with My Soul as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.

Even through all these trials, Horatio Spafford had peace.

I love the original hymn, and I absolutely adore this newer version, It is Well by Kristen DiMarco on the Bethel Worship C.D., You Make Me Brave.  The lyrics are below if you can't view the video. 

I leave you with a great promise to hold on to......And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 

Grander earth has quaked before
Moved by the sound of His voice
Seas that are shaken and stirred
Can be calmed and broken for my regard



Through it all, through it all

My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me



Far be it from me to not believe
Even when my eyes can’t see
And this mountain that’s in front of me
Will be thrown into the midst of the sea

Through it all, through it all

My eyes are on You
Through it all, through it all
It is well
Through it all, through it all
My eyes are on You
It is well with me




So let go my soul and trust in Him
The waves and wind still know His name



It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul
It is well with my soul