In the previous post it reminded us of how we tend to “look forward” when tragedy, disappointment or difficult changes occur in our lives.

I am reminded of the true story behind the song “It is Well With My Soul” about a successful business man, Horatio Spafford, who lost his business to the great Chicago fire and his four year old son in the same year.  Two years later all four of his daughters died leaving his wife as one of the few survivors of a fatal shipwreck on the Atlantic in the late 1800s.  He penned the words to the song as he crossed the section of the sea where his daughters had died.

“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”

(Refrain: It is well, with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul”)

http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul/ 

Horatio learned how to look forward with HOPE.  Hope is defined by Webster as “desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; confident expectancy”  The rest of this song speaks of the expectation he had in a God who is well acquainted with all the things one could ever experience in this life, no matter how tragic.  When Jesus died on the cross, all of our sorrowful accounts and experiences were embodied in the brutal suffering He endured so that His peace and comfort would be manifested in you.  “Peace I leave with you; My (perfect) peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid (Let my perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and strength for every challenge) John 14:27 AMP

?My friend, take heart and expect God’s peace, love and assurance to help you look forward with HOPE.