Is It Well With My Soul?

And through it all, through it all

My eyes are on you

and it is well

It is well with me

“It Is Well” Sung by Kristene DiMarco (You Make Me Brave)

The great hymn, “It Is Well,” was written in 1873 by Horatio Spafford. Mr. Spafford penned the words to this song while facing unimaginable suffering. He had lost everything; his son, his fortune and his four daughters.

He left quite a legacy, not only with the lyrics he wrote to this song, but also in proving that we can sense God’s presence – and even joy – in the heart of suffering. This song has become an anthem for many Christians during times of anguish and sadness.

The world pandemic that we are currently living through has stirred up a lot of angst. The Shelter in Place has forced us to face ourselves – who we are, what we value, how we spend our time, etc.

This difficult season has caused me to ponder the condition of my heart, asking myself, “is it really well with my soul?”

For me, it’s been a process finding peace in my spirit. The first two weeks of Shelter-in-Place, I was riddled with anxiety and worry about the Coronavirus. Wrestling with constant fear, I didn’t have faith that God still had a good plan. Even though I would pray, there was little confidence behind my prayers. I had myself convinced that because of my compromised immune system, I would get the Coronavirus and perhaps even die. I was anxious, irritable, critical, and restless. It was not well with my soul!

My mind stopped racing as I began to spend more quality time with the Lord. After repenting and humbling myself before Him, a fresh assurance rose up within me and I was able to seek after Him more faithfully. Hebrews 11:6 says, “It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.“ My faith grew stronger little by little , day by day, and I began to stand on His truths and promises with confidence.

God’s Word helped me tremendously. Psalm 139:16 says “Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” This was a reminder that God is sovereign and that He has already written every day of my life out. Hebrews 13:5 promises that God is with us no matter what we may face. This was a reminder that if I (or my loved ones) were to get this virus, Jesus would never leave our side, but would walk us through it.

Focusing on God’s promises has helped me sense God’s presence with me, despite my struggles.

As I surrender my vulnerability to God, I feel His peace within me. I can now pray with courage. Today, I can finally say with confidence that “it is well with my soul.”

How do we know if it is well with our soul?

The true test of the condition of our soul comes through times of hardship. As a Christ follower, it’s not enough to rely on our feelings and/or to “think positive” when we face adversity.

We can rely on who Jesus is, not our circumstances.

There are three words in this hymn that are of most significance. They are, “Whatever my lot.” Many of us resist accepting what our lot in life is. Depression, anger and/or bitterness creep in and rob our joy when we face trials.

Right now a lot of us don’t like our lot. We don’t like being stuck at home. Having to accept life being socially isolated is challenging. “It Is Well” reminds us that although we face troubles, in Christ we can still find peace and joy because “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”

When the joy of the Lord is our strength, no matter our circumstances, we can say with confidence that it is well with our soul.

I encourage you to get still with the Lord, and ask yourself “is it well with my soul?”

Take a listen to the powerful lyrics to this song penned 147 years ago by a man facing the loneliest moment of his earthly life. May we be able to say like Horatio Spafford, “it is well with my soul” all the days of our lives.

“The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.” ~ Psalm 121:7