It Is Well

The past few days I have been on an emotional roller coaster.  I have family who needs God to perform a miracle for them, friends who are in a troubled relationships, and it seems everywhere I turned I was reminded of bad choices I have made.  On the other hand, I have also been encouraged and God answered several prayers this week.  I woke up this morning though with a heavy heart.  I tried to pray but felt like my prayers were just hitting the ceiling and not reaching Heaven like I so desperately need them to.  I paced around the house for a little bit and even went for a drive.  I had not gone far when I felt God nudging at my heart to turn around, go back home, and get on my knees.  I did just that.  I fell on my knees, buried my head in the sofa, and started to pray.  Again, I felt like what I was praying was just bouncing off the ceiling.  Then the words to the old hymn written by Annie Hawks in 1872, "I Need Thee Every Hour" came to mind and start pouring out of my heart and mouth, first through tears and a broken voice and then with strength and surety.



"I Need Thee Every Hour"

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, oh I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now my Savior;
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow'r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy will;
Any Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son. 

Once I had finished with the words of the song, I immediately felt like God said to me, "I've heard you now I want you to listen."  I'm not exactly sure how long but I stayed on my knees in silence just listening.  I wish I could tell you He gave me direct answers to my questions, deliverance, and complete healing while I was listening.  What He did give me though was peace that He wasn't going to leave me or those that I have been so burdened for to fend for ourselves.  He told me to trust Him with all of my heart and to acknowledge Him.  He told me to give my past to Him, trust Him with my future, and to honor Him for He is my Lord.
Peace of God is an amazing thing.  Words can't truly describe what it feels like.  I got up from my knees with the words of another old hymn in my heart written by Horatio Spafford in 1873, "It Is Well with My Soul"

"It is Well with My Soul"

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.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, 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 hath 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.


This hymn has brought me through some of the darkest days of my life.  I've known the story behind this hymn for a long time and would often think I don't know how I could have gone through what Horatio Spafford did and be able to pen down those words and mean them.  Many times I would sit at our piano and play this over and over and cry.  My heart would be breaking for things that my family and I were going through but then I would start to think about Spafford.  My difficult times were/are very real but nothing compared to what he went through so how can I not say it is well with my soul?  I can say and I must say...... Even so, it is well with my soul!!!