It Is Well With My Soul

There is a well known song that is often played during funerals. I first heard it sung by Whitney Phipps, who used to sing for the Evangelist Billy Graham. A very beautiful song which he sings so beautifully.

Here is a verse of the song:

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

There is something to be said about peace that is like a river, just rolling along, with its calmness. It is this peace that we all should desire.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians in his epistle, the following:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand."
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
let your requests be mde known to God, and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus."

And the "peace" of God, which surpasses all understanding... (Philippians 4:4-7)

This peace that is spoken both in the song and in the scripture has struck me this morning. It is this peace that can only come from God. It comes from having a structured life that is not dependent on external circumstances and things of this world. This peace comes from knowing that soon we will have eternal life with God in heaven. Resisiting the storms in life is also dependent on a structured life. A structured life is a self discipline life that does not go chasing after every whim and desire that confronts us.

We constantly think, "if we have a better home, a better job, a better wife, a better husband, a better car, a better house," than we will have satisfaction in our life. Unfortunately, none of the "ifs" will give us peace, because we have not learned that things or persons can give us peace.

Recently there was a show on TV that showed young people stealing from the movie stars in Hollywood because they wanted tohave the things that the movie starts had, especially their jewlery and clothes. These young people thought, "if" I can only dress like them, then I will be like them. What a price they will pay for being theives and spending a good part of their life in jail, just for not wanting to be content with their lot in life. These young people lack discipline and structure in their lives because somewhere along the line, no one told them that clothes and jewelry will not give them the recognition that so eagerly desired. What a sadness that they have wasted their life over something so foolish. It all got out of hand! Not one of them even understood the knowledge or wisdom of God.

I also know for a fact that things do not satisfy. My grandchildren are never content; you can give them something every month and they will find something else they want the next month. I finally had to put a stop to it and say "no" because there are more important things in life than a new this or a new that or being swayed by their peers. They can't tell me sometimes why they even want a particular thing. It shows me that they lack discipline and structure, and I will not be a party to their earthly desires.

Peace comes from having a structured life, a disciplined life. A life that does not depend on external circumstances. A life that is content with its lot, one that is well with its soul.

Colossians 3:15 says "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to be peace. And be thankful." We need to be thankful for what we have and stive for peace in our lives.

Thought for today: Let the peace of God guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.