Scripture Reading: Isaiah 66:12-13, 2 Corinthians 3:13-18, Philippians 1:12-26
“It Is Well with My Soul” has been a family favorite for generations. My paternal grandmother loved the song, and after she went to be with the Lord my dad would sing it often at church. I’ll admit I didn’t fully understand what he was singing about. I understood the song was about submitting to God, but didn’t really understand how someone could say “It Is Well with My Soul” when “sorrows” were actually rolling like “sea billows.” At that point, my faith in God was built squarely on the idea that God proves His love to me by allowing good things to happen to me. I imagined God as a good-natured, yet principled, grandfather, who blessed good people with good things and punished bad people with bad things.
Thankfully, God destroyed that image.
I had constructed an image of God that was more like Santa Claus than anything else. Santa makes his list and checks it twice, then divvies out either gifts or coal, depending on a child’s behavior. I ordered my life around that idea: If I’m good, nothing bad will happen to me. If I’m bad, God’s going to punish me. It was a see-saw of prideful earning and shame-ridden failure.
Eventually, the beautiful truth emerged that no matter how far I strayed from God, no matter how disobedient I’d been, the Father continued to display faithfulness to me, continued to pursue me, continued to receive me. And yet, another truth came to life: Life with God does not mean a life without pain. Surprisingly, experiencing the things I expected God to shield me from because of my “good behavior” has shown me that He alone is good. His unrelenting goodness toward me is never increased or diminished based on my actions.
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.”
Now I understand how Horatio G. Spafford could pen these words. Now I see that neither the joys nor the sufferings of this present life could ever compare to the great glory that awaits me in the life to come. With every undeserved grace He’s extended to me, God has given me the incomprehensible peace, soothing the stormy sorrows of my soul. Come what may, God is teaching my heart to sing a new song: It is well with my soul.
Both God’s goodness and greatness go far beyond what I can see with my natural eyes. It’s the Father’s goodness that sent Jesus to the cross for my sin. And it’s His greatness that raised Jesus to life, seating Him in heavenly places where He continues to intercede for me (Romans 8:34).
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!
Circumstances will change, but our God is steadfast and faithful—yesterday, today, and every day to come—and it’s because of His character that we are safe and secure. He is so much more, so much better than we could ever imagine Him to be.
It Is Well With My Soul
Horatio G. Spafford, 1873
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.”
Refrain:
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 has shed His own blood for my soul. Refrain
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! Refrain
O 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;
even so, it is well with my soul. Refrain
Erin Rose lives and works in vibrant Richmond, Virginia, where she serves as Worship & Teaching Pastor at East End Fellowship. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and is currently enrolled as a graduate student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Erin is a member of Urban Doxology, a ministry that is writing the soundtrack of reconciliation for the church. Her greatest joy lies in leading God’s people in authentic worship, and teaching them the truth found in God’s Word. She also enjoys eating delicious food, spending time with loved ones, and indulging in the occasional Netflix binge.
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53 thoughts on "It Is Well with My Soul"
“Circumstances will change, but our God is steadfast and faithful — yesterday, today and every day to come — and it’s because of His character that we are safe and secure.” When I read this I felt Erin was looking right into my life as well. Through all my trials and my good times my Lord has been there for me and in my 59 1/2 years I have had many of each. Praise the Lord that He has been there and always will be for me. The Lord has made me who I am today and I will continue to let Him lead me and mold me into what He wants me to be.
A beautiful reminder no matter what…it is well with my soul. God is with us through each trial, hardship, joy filled moments and every breath in between. It is well with my soul. May my focus be razor sharp, missile locked on my King and my true home!
Amen Lynne …. Amen.
This has long been one of my favorite hymns – I don’t even remember when I first started clinging to it. Every single line an impacting reminder of the hope I have in Christ. “Whatever my lot…” “Christ has regarded my helpless estate…” “my sin, not in part, but the whole was nailed…” “Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight…”
I need to sing daily – in the good and the bad days – “it is well with my soul” <3
Sang this song to Dennis while he was in ICU. Sang this song for me when things were rough. Now, I am dreading the beginning of a new school year, for the first time in 18 years. I love and am thankful for my teaching position. Teaching is one of my spiritual gifts and allows me to witness and minister to many teenage souls. This go round, I want to remain home with my husband. He has plateaued in some areas and doesn’t get moving unless I tell him or go with him, etc. We have discussed me quitting my teaching position, but he will not entertain that thought due to money. I think I could more easily accept any other reason than money. Pray for us, for Dennis, for me.
Thank you, sisters! Oh, isn’t the imagery of the Isaiah passage lovely!
Praying for you and your husband!! <3
Truly can relate to where you’re at in this season of your life – praying for you!
I prayed for you Kelly.
Lifting you and your husband up in prayer!
Praying for you Kelly.
Praying
Could you both pray about and consider other “ teaching” options? Home school? Students come to you, one at a time? Or you choose close by students that are on home studies? Ways to stay in your gifted ness, and be there for your hubby as well. Would your school district work with you on this?
Yes, I think so. Keeping my eyes open for other possibilities.
Kelly, I’m praying for you and your husband.
Kelly, there are also very credible online teaching positions that pay decently well. I had virtually no teaching experience and make $20/hour teaching online at home through a company called VIPKID. Maybe worth knocking on that door? Feel free to reach out for more info: [email protected]
Praying God will provide abundantly for you and your husband.
Thank you. I will look into it. Thank you!
Kelly, I suggest you try Liberty University online teaching. They are hiring right now. My friend and her mother are online teachers for LU and it fits their schedules perfectly. My brother in law (just retired this year) spent the last few years teaching online for K-12 and he loved it ! Praying for you.
Thank you. I will look into this possibility as well. Thank you!
Lifting you both up in prayer, dear Kelly. Praying God’s provision both in wisdom and an answer to this season… He is Good … He is God…
Amen.
Sending love wrapped hugs filled with loving prayers..x
One of my very favorites! Every time I sing it, I’m reminded that everything doesn’t need to be perfect with my outward appearance and my life won’t always be orderly and without chaos. What matters is my soul, and in Him, it is well!
Such a beautiful song. I love to imagine the fact that the author of this song went through so much hurt and pain, and then penned this song having no clue that we would be singing it for generations to come. God is good.
Indeed, he did lost his two of his children in a shipwreck, and His wife soon after. Then penned this amazing song. God is so good.
I needed that today. Thanks for sharing!
It is Well With My Soul-Audrey Assad.
https://youtu.be/zY5o9mP22V0
This is a beautiful version. Thank you for sharing it.
“Let this blest assurance control…”. YES. When I fully comprehend what was accomplished for me through Christ shedding His blood on the cross, then I can be content in all circumstances. Whether I have “peace like a river” or “sorrows like sea billows” I know I will be ok. Whatever my lot. I rest in His blest assurance. It is Rock solid.
“Let this blest assurance control . . . ” Yes, yes indeed!
Churchmouse, I responded to your post on Day 8 of this devotion. Life has me busy. At times I finish my devotions at work during my breaks.
Also I’m having issues with the app so I’ve been coming to the internet to see posts/comments as I’m not able to see all the comments. That’s how I saw your post to me on Day 8.
When I fully comprehend what was accomplished for me through Christ shedding His blood on the cross, then I can be content in all circumstances. Whether I have “peace like a river” or “sorrows like sea billows” I know I will be ok. Whatever my lot. Totally and utterly truth filled… YES.. Amen to that!!!!
HUGS MY FRIEND..X
Churchmouse, you always have a way with words. I have had “peace like a river” at times and “sorrows like sea billows” at times but as my life continues I too know I will be okay and “rest in His blest assurance. It is Rock solid.” I always look forward to reading your past my sister.
Please take time to
listen to this beautiful version of the song! https://youtu.be/YNqo4Un2uZI
I LOVE this version! It’s been a favorite for a long time…thank you for sharing it!
It is beautiful