It Is Well With My Soul!

I have always been fond of the hymn, "It is well with my soul."  As I grow in my relationship with Christ, the more powerful the message of this song becomes for me.

When I was younger, I loved the song simply because, it was beautiful and the words were sweet.   But now...well, now I could cry and rejoice all at once each time I hear the song.  It's powerful.

My mom sent this sign (below) to me for Christmas this year.  It was one of those gifts that I wasn't expecting but, quickly became a very sentimental and priceless gift.  Ironically, my mom has no idea how much I love the hymn.  She simply knows that I desire to live this truth out in every season.  In sorrow and in laughter.  In death and in life.  In pain and in healing.  In adversity and in prosperity.   In all the ups and downs I can say with confidence, "It is well with my soul."  Not because everything is easy.  Not because I have all of my ducks in a row.  Not because I have a huge paycheck.  Not because my family is perfectly healthy.  Not because life is a breeze but, because I trust in the Lord.  I know that my soul has a home forever in eternity.  Heaven is going to be so glorious, so mind blowing-AMAZING.  No pain.  No sorrow.  No death.  No SIN whatsoever.   Just joy, pure UN-tainted love, wholeness and perfect peace. With that eternal finish line always in sight, I run the race that He has called me to.  I have stumbled over many obstacles and I have grown so weary at times but, in great love my Heavenly Father has lifted me up and even carried me time and time again.  He whispers to my soul,
"Continue onward my precious child.  Race toward the prize."

You might be having the worst day or even years of your life.  It may seem that everything is falling down around you.  Regardless of what you may have going on in your life, may I lovingly urge you to set your eyes not on the things of this world but, on the things of eternity.  Cast your worries and your cares into the arms of Jesus and let them go.

Spend time with Him in prayer and in the Bible.  Let Him love on you and refresh you.  Let Him hold you, guide you and and renew you. 

^"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9

 Yesterday, I was eating lunch at Chik-Fil-A and this song was playing without lyrics, softly over the sound system.  How cool huh!  I have no idea how I was able to tune out the insanity of the lunch crowd and hundreds of screaming children to hear this song playing so beautifully over us all.  It appeared that everyone else was completely unaware of the beautiful praise song that was playing like a prayer all around the room.  I paused to listen as I was throwing out our trash and couldn't contain the smile that spread across my face.  Heaven reached down and gave me a huge hug right then and there and I needed it.  God wanted me to hear the song playing and miraculously, I did.   Hearing it unexpectedly in that setting was such a gift.  God has a powerful way of practically freezing time just to speak to and love on, one of his kids.  God is so amazing.  God is so faithful.  God is the real deal.

Check out the video below for the history behind this hymn and the story about the man who wrote it.  It's intense. I know I have heard the history before but, I had forgotten it.  Can you imagine being in this man's shoes?  Can you imagine enduring the deaths of 4 of your children, losing your life savings and your dreams to a devastating fire?  Can you imagine penning this song even after all of that loss.  How did he endure it all?

His eyes were set not on the things of this life but, on the things of the next.  His hope was not in Earthly things but, in Jesus Christ.  It doesn't mean that this man suffered less or that his heart didn't break in pieces.  It doesn't mean that life was easy for him as it clearly was not but, he was anchored in God's word.  Where do you set your anchor?  Because the storms will inevitably come and it will rain on us all.  wow. just wow.  This gal's voice gives me chills down my spine.  It is well all...it is well.

I enjoy this song in every musical style, traditional or more modern...as sung by Kutless below.

It Is Well With My Soul
(Original lyrics)^[1]

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,^a
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (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.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
A song in the night, oh my soul! ^b