It is well

Dr. Deb 09 Feb 2016

Pain. Anger. Frustration. Disappointment. Loss.

We all experience the vast range of human emotion. And sometimes our feelings get the best of us.

I recently had a frustrating week. Nothing seemed to go as planned. I felt trapped. I REALLY started to lose perspective.

I have friends going through really bad stuff: life-threatening illness, divorce, economic troubles, and all the other “surprises” life sometimes throws our way.

When we are in the midst of distresses, it often seems impossible to regain sanity and feel normal. We start going down what I call the toilet of despair, that sinking feeling of going in circles and threatening to disappear.

We have our problems. But often, when we glimpse into the troubles of others, we see how relatively insignificant our little problems are and can get a bird’s eye view again.

I’m not minimizing personal struggles or even tragedies. But I do think we sometimes need help adjusting our perspective.

The video below helped me do that.

In my morning devotional a few days ago, I thought about the old hymn that has been so meaningful from time to time.

“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.”

So I did a quick Google search to find the song. Then I came across this video. Not only did I get to listen to the beautiful words and music, but I also learned the tragic story of the author.

Horatio Spafford was a prominent lawyer in the 1800s who seemed to have it all…and loose it all. But he never lost his faith. Turns out his lyrics transcend time and space.

I found we share the same birthday. We share a theological position that God’s love transcends human failure, and, in the end, always wins. We also share the human experience.

If you’re struggling, have pain, or simply need an attitude adjustment, watch this short video. I think you will then know, “it is well with my soul.”