It Is Well With My Soul

One of my all time favourite hymns.

The lyrics speak multitudes and declare the assurance of salvation we as Christians have in Christ.

As the worship team began it at church on Sunday I smiled because I needed to hear it, I needed to sing out those words. (Thanks God!)

As I sang this hymn, that I have sang many times before, words and meaning came alive in a new way.

1. 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, it is well, with my soul.
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

I've been really stressed lately and overwhelmed with everything that is on my plate. I really enjoy the areas the I am serving in and I love seminary, but it is A LOT of work! I know that I will get used to the busyness again, but it'll take some time. As I sang out these words I was reminded that through it ALL, whatever lies before me - papers, exams, missions trip, work, pain, joy - It is WELL with my soul because it belongs to Jesus. Part of this transformation that Christ is doing in me is teaching me to rest in Him, His yolk is easy and His burden is light. When stress and anxiousness well up inside of me, He is teaching me to turn to Him and leave it at the foot of the cross.

Through the stress, anxiety and lies that Satan feeds me - Jesus whispers "Be still and know that I am God." Paul writes at the end of Romans 8 that NOTHING can separate us from Christ and I rest in that promise tonight. Whatever the next week, month, year holds, my soul will remain His. My future is secure, it's in His hands. I await the day when my faith shall be sight, and I see my Saviour face to face.