“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart.  Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name.”
Psalm 34:1-3

Sometimes when we hear the phrase “it is well” we automatically assume that it translates into “all is perfect”.  My husband is great.  My kids are great.  My job is great.  My life is great. All is great.

How nice that would be, but in reality the complete opposite may be true.  We can be facing some tough family situations.  Financial hardship can be looming over our heads.  The challenges of parenting can become overwhelming.  Life, at the moment, could feel very much unfair and unpleasant. So how can we still proclaim, it is well?

For those not familiar with the old hymn “It is Well with My Soul”.  Let me share its story…

The simple, yet profound hymn was written by Horatio Spafford in 1873.  Mr. Spafford, a wealthy businessman in Chicago, lost much of his real estate holdings in the Great Chicago Fire.  After the fire, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to Europe, intending to join them later.  But the voyage was struck by disaster, and Spafford received a cable from his wife with the painful message, “Saved alone.” Spafford quickly made arrangements to join his wife.  When they reached the spot where his daughters had drowned, Spafford marked that sad event with words of hope:  “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.’”

These powerful words written in the midst of such pain are a gentle reminder to us that even though we may be enduring tough times or hardship, it is not the end of God’s plan for us.  It is a reminder that our worship of God should not be based on our circumstances, but based on who He is.

We ask, who is God?

He is El Shaddai – The God Almighty

He is Jehova Jireh – The Lord Will Provide

He is El Roi – The God Who Sees Me

He is the great I AM

When our eyes and heart are distracted by the storms of life, we tend to forget that God is all we need.   Be encouraged this day and know when we say “It is Well” we are simply stating – no matter what is going on around us or how we feel at the moment, we will continue to praise and speak of His goodness and glory.

He is for you and His plans are good. Even when life seems out of control He still has a purpose for your life that will come to pass.

“Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”

Philippians 4:11 

– Tisha