“It Is Well With My Soul” is one of my favorite hymns, my go-to when things are hard. I sang it while my husband was in surgery, I sing it when I’m disappointed or afraid. It’s not just a song, it’s a prayer. A reminder that there’s more to the moment than what I can see. That the One who is in control is good, even when things aren’t. That He is faithful to complete what He started and to fulfill His promises. That, eventually, ALL will be well…but for now, my soul can be, at least.
It helps to know it was written by a man who, in the space of two years, had lost his 4-year-old son, then was financially ruined by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, then lost his 4 daughters in a shipwreck. If that man could WRITE these words, as his ship passed near the place where his daughters died, I can surely sing and pray them:
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.’It is well with my soul;
–Horatio Gates Spafford
It is well with my soul;
It is well, it is well with my soul!
I love this picture. This lovely little flower stands in hope, even when things are dark. Spreads beauty, even when the end of the tunnel seems far away. Even when it seems impossible to bloom and flourish, we can. Because God. “The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.” (Ps 145:9) “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Ps 42:5) “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)
Even when things are hard, even when things are terrible, we have hope because God is good, because He created us for more than just this moment, because He is not surprised by any of this, because He made a way for us, through Jesus, to know Him and be with Him now and forever. In light of that? Yes, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control:
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed His own blood for my soul.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!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 made these images for my lock screen/background, because I like a frequent reminder. I thought I’d share them in case they can be a good reminder for you, right now, too. Click here to download this version, and here to download the version above. The image will open in a new tab; right-click and save.
More Than This Mess 
