It is Well

Many times during the past year I have said, “Everything is going to be alright.”  Sometimes I believed it, and other times I said it to encourage my husband and family.  But one thing I always knew was that God was with us in those times of uncertainty.  

2 Kings 4 tells about the Shunamite woman who had waited a long time for a child and then watched him grow ill and die. Elisha had told her years ago that God would give her a child because of her faith and service. She knew that God had given her this child, and she believed that through Elisha, God would revive him. So she promptly decided to go to Elisha for help. 

Her faith was so strong that she didn’t even tell her husband the boy had died. When questioned, she stated that everything was all right. She did this not once, but twice. This woman’s child had just died, yet she was able to tell others that everything was fine and trust that God was in control of the situation!  

We all face times of uncertainty at some point. Moments of fear, anxety, depression, pain, weakness, discouragement, and even doubt can quickly begin to control our thoughts and actions. When there are questions about the future, questions about your health, insecurities, fear, and so many unknowns, don’t give up. Instead you can run directly to God with confidence that He remains in control regardless of the storm going on around you. Like the Shunamite woman, you can know that everything is all right 

The song “It is Well With My Soul” was written after several tragedies suffered by businessman Horatio Spafford and his family.  In 1871,  Their young son died with pneumonia and much of their business was destroyed by the Chicago fire. Two years later, the ship carrying his wife and four daughters collided with another vessel and resulted in the death of all four of their children. As Spafford traveled across the ocean to join his grieving wife, he wrote the words to “It is Well With My Soul”.

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. 

When your world seems to be crashing down around you, true peace can only be found with God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7.  The son she had waited so long for had just died in her arms, but the Shunamite woman had a peace that could only come from God. 

Do you trust God so much that even in the darkest moments you can say “Everything is all right”?  Philippians 4:6 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,  with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. If your answer was “No, I don’t trust God enough to know that everything will be all right”, the answer is in prayer.  Follow the Shunamite woman’s example and go to another Christian who will walk beside you and pray with you. Pray for God to give you that peace that passes all understanding. Keep praying until you can say, “Everything is all right”.

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