It is well

When peace, like a river,

attends with 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.

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.

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.

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.
(by Ho­ra­tio G. Spaf­ford)

The words of this song have been running around and around my head all day. It's been a hard couple of days. I have just finished my mid year exams - and while I don't always seem stressed, I find it really hard to sleep. And I'm one of those people who if I don't get enough sleep I don't function well at all.

I failed an assignment very badly, more than I was expecting. All I'm seeing is my whole uni degree spiralling out of control. I really don't know if I can face more than 1 1/2 years of uni, I'm struggling to keep myself going for the end of this one and next year as well.

I'm a bit sick of being alone, and feeling far from many of the people I love.

In the midst of all of this there is one thing I cling to; God is here walking beside me. He knows what it is like to cry, to feel lonely. And while He may not have ever failed an assignment on the Implications of the history of government policy on Child care legislation in Australia, He knows what it is to be disappointed.

Right now I am find it really hard to look outside myself, to realise that there are other people in the world besides myself. All I can seem to do is cry to God "Please, help!"

And yet, there is something I have noticed. When things are going relatively well, when I am feeling okay about things it is so easy to forget about God. But the days when I am at my lowest that is when I realise how much I need God to get through the day. These are the days I spend praying. These are the days I turn again and again to Gods word and soak myself in it. These are the days I am so sure of my salvation. These are the days I remind myself that no matter what goes on in this world, there is one thing I can be sure of; It is well with my soul.

(photo by aussiegall)