It Is Well

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. – Romans 8:35,37

It happens. Pain. Hardship. Crisis. Unknowns. They strike at us and threaten to sink our souls. They roar and crash over us like the waves of a tempest to break loose our joy and send it to a watery grave.

Sadly, if your life is built on something as shakable as yourself or the things of this world, their efforts will succeed. You will find yourself joyless and gasping for air, sinking in the waves as you are pummeled by the sea of despair.

But Christian, Child of God, your joy is not founded on your strength or the trappings of this world. It is founded on something unshakable, that no maelstrom that would rage against you can overtake!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
  we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:35-39

You are made more than a conqueror! Through Christ, not only will you prevail against the storm, but God will direct the violent gale to serve you. You can trust as Christ unflinchingly holds the helm and navigates your journey across stormy seas to get you to sweeter shores. He will see you to where you belong, in closer and sweeter fellowship with Christ and greater conformity to his glorious image.

So stand in awe of the captain of your ship, and declare his praise! Though even through tears, you can proclaim, "It is well with my soul."

If you find yourself in a difficult storm, below is a handful of scriptures to offer encouragement.

Psalm 36:7

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Isaiah 41:9-10

You are my servant,
    I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Hebrews 6:19

This hope [in the work of Christ] we have as an anchor of the soul...

Matthew 8:24-27

Behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Hebrews 4:16

 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.