It Is Well With My Soul

Last night, we had our normal family devotions. We talked about how God allows suffering in our lives for the purpose of growing our dependence on Him. For many Americans, it is a struggle for us to really understand true soul wrenching struggles. Many of us define struggles as "anything that messes up our planned activities." All the while we miss the opportunities God places in our path by changing up our planned activities.

Last week, I went to have my eyes checked at Walmart. Not any real reason to the check up. I wear light readers. Something inside of me urged me to go. The lady told me I didn't need any glasses, but I had a freckle in my right eye.

The next Monday, I was on my way to another eye doctor to try to find out what the freckle was. That morning started off with a prayer asking the Lord to give me someone I could share the Gospel with that day. God answered that prayer, but not really in the way that I was thinking. 

The eye specialist came in to have a closer look at the freckle. Good news is that I do not need glasses (I already knew that). He immediately answered, "That is definitely not a freckle. That is a tumor. (With tears in his eyes) Sir, I am so sorry to give you this information."

Without even thinking about it, the Holy Spirit took control. I began to testify of God's sovereignty, and how my tumor does not take away from his grace on the cross. God raises up kings, and he can also lower them. My God is good, even if I lose my eye. Sir, do you know what my favorite hymn is?" He said, "No I do not." "Well let me tell you. It is Amazing Grace. I once was blind, but now I see. If God takes my vision away, then He has a purpose to use me without vision."

The doctor looked at me as if I had a slurpy machine coming out of my forehead. 

A while back Naomi, my wife, and I were reading a book together. One of the main premises in the book was living for eternity. God has given us the opportunity to live our earthy life for Him. The Westminster Shorter Catechism question 1 says "What is the chief end of man? The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." It is impossible for us to enjoy God while being miserable. James 1:2-3 says "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." 

In good times and bad. In sickness and in health. It is well with my soul

  1. 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.
  2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
    Let this blest assurance control,
    That Christ hath 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. 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.
  5. 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!
  6. And Lord, haste the day when the 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.
  7. Horatio G. Spafford


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