It Is Well

In the hurry-up-give-it-to-me-right-now society of today, it seems the more we try to slow things down, the more it seems as if life passes us by. Did it ever occur to you that the passing-by could be just exactly what God intended for you at this point in time? (written 12 Sep 07)

The more I add to my schedule, to my to-do list, the more I want to take away. I cannot be alone in this feeling, otherwise vacation areas would go out of business! We look forward to "getting away", letting the stress go. Do you have to leave for that to happen? Sometimes we feel that nothing refreshes us more than a change of scenery. In certain instances, that is the case. Think about this: are the things that stress you still present when you return? Would it not be more beneficial, then, to find the source and rid yourself of as much of the stress as you can at the source? I have found that leaving only eliminates a problem as long as I am away from it. When I return, it is either still there, or has seemingly grown in my absence, and that HAS to change.

How does one do it? How do you find that inner peace that will allow you to view those bumps as simply what they are ... bumps? Is it possible to keep them from growing into mountains? The more I explore my Bible, the more I find a peace that is seeping into every corner of my soul. No, I'm not there yet. I still have days, and more of them than I like (or like to admit to), where it seems as if I am in a hopeless whirlwind that I cannot now and will never be able to control. Simplistic as it may seem, however, sometimes just the feel of my Bible, opening the cover and touching its pages, eases my mind. The words jump into my brain, into my heart, soothing my soul. How? If I could explain that, I'd probably be wealthy!

My explanation? God knows. (Well, of course He does .. He knows everything) I don't mean that in the sense that He is less than all-knowing, simply that He knows what I need and when I need it most.

Why today's title, and what does it have to do with anything? It refers to the hymn penned by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. The words of the first verse and chorus are:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

My God knows how to make my life so that all "is well with my soul." If I but trust and believe in His power to do so, I cannot and will not fail. Will I stumble? Yes. Will He be there to pick me up and help me to continue forward? He will indeed.

Nothing in life is more comforting than knowing that He is with me always. The direction my life is taking today, and where I will be tomorrow is in His hands. I have to trust in Him and believe in Him. My God is an awesome God ... and I thank Him every day for being there for me. For making me who I am, and who I am becoming. It will be "well with my soul," for my God will make it so.

Thank you, God, for loving and believing in me. For giving me the ability to express what I feel. If it gives me a feeling of peace, it is meant to be written. If it touches another, then that is YOU at work through me. What a blessing I have been given. Thank you for helping me express that blessing.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." ~John 14:27 NIV