Through Peace and Sorrows

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 (1873)

By: Horatio G. Spafford, (1828-1888)

Listen to this beautiful version as you prepare to ponder this hymn. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

We begin our journey through one of the most beloved of all hymns, with one of the most poignant, yet inspiring stories. If you do not know the story, you may watch more about it here. Wellness of soul has been made available by our gracious God, and we will look at different aspects of that over the next few weeks, starting with the teachers of peace and sorrow. Let’s tune our hearts.

Peace Like a River

It is captivating when a writer begins to expound on something by drawing us in with such a welcoming word picture. The inspiring photo above from Scandinavia, or whatever other image those words conjure in your mind, creates a tranquil and serene setting to begin to contemplate wellness of soul.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

Those words remind me of the passage from Psalm 23 where the Psalmist tells me His shepherd leads him beside still waters, restoring his soul. God made a similar promise to the city of Jerusalem, and by association, its inhabitants. Rivers are such wonderful illustrations of the flow of God’s peace into our lives.

For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream… Isaiah 66:12a ESV

But knowing that peace has been promised and learning to walk in the experience of it are two very different things. We know that God extends to us, His people, the same peace He offered to Jerusalem. Figuring out how to receive it and trusting God to sustain it is a process into which He welcomes each of us.

RESONATE!
First, we must believe that God invites us into this process of walking in peace. Once you have resolved that issue, and are confident that God is the one who brings that peace, you are able to take that same awareness of His presence into other moments in your life. Thank Him for the wellness of soul He helps to cultivate in moments of peace.

Sorrows Like Sea Billows

There is an uncommon word. Billows. A billow is a large undulating mass of something. Seems like an apt description of the sorrows that at times come upon our lives, doesn’t it?

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

We have all had those experiences of sorrows that overwhelm us. Think back on the last time you experienced that. Maybe you don’t have to think back very far at all. Maybe you are trying to stand amidst the waves of sorrows today.

Maybe you brought those sorrows upon yourself through your own choices. Maybe they were thrust upon you by the choices of others. Either way, they are overwhelming and heavy.

Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah Psalm 88:7 ESV

It is a difficult truth to consider that just as God ushers peace into our lives at times, He also allows sorrows at other times. There is a purpose in both, and the sooner we learn that reality the better by far.

It is easy for us to acknowledge that God is the Author of our peaceful moments. It is not so easy for us to acknowledge that He is also the Sovereign over the sorrowful  ones. Grasping and keeping in balance those two realities helps us to create a scenario where wellness of soul is much more sustainable.

RESONATE!
What sorrows are you facing today? Have you brought them to God? Ask Him to help you deal with them against the backdrop of an awareness that He is very present with you in each of those troubles. Your ability to cultivate wellness in your soul will be dependent on how pervasive that awareness is. Ask Him to help you embrace it and expand it today.

Jesus, thank You for being present in my peace and my sorrow. It is Your presence that makes the difference in every circumstance. Help me to learn the reality of that today. In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

Content Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence.   We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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Video 18.1 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

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.

Recall a time when peace was flowing into your life like the faithful current of a great river. What a powerful and beautiful companion peace is! Thank God for those times when His peace has attended or accompanied you along your way.  

Recall a time when sorrows seemed to be overwhelming you like the mighty waves of the ocean. What a terrible and painful sojourner sorrows are! Ask God to help you be aware of His presence when you face your next sorrows.

Indeed, God has taught us to declare the wellness of our soul no matter what our circumstances. Let’s be honest, that is not always an easy thing to do, but He will help us. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how today.

In Philippians 4:12, Paul declared, “In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content…” I would have to be honest and say I am learning it but I certainly have not mastered it. Reflect on how well you have learned to say “It is well.”

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Sing

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

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, be Resonant.

The post Through Peace and Sorrows appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attributions
Peace Like a River – https://pixabay.com/photos/scandinavia-norway-briksdal-glacier-5214176/
Sorrows Like Sea Billows – https://pixabay.com/photos/wave-water-sea-ocean-pacific-2089959/