It is Well has always been one of my favorite songs. Recently, I had my Lauren Daigle station playing on Pandora, and It is Well came on, but it was slightly different. First of all, Lauren was singing and her voice is my favorite. Secondly, the refrain was a bit different--and I loved it! Of course, the classic hymn will always be dear to me, but take a moment to listen to this version (the lyrics are below and the changes are in bold).
When peace, like a river, attendeth 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
It is well, it is well
Through the storm, I am held
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well
God has won; Christ prevailed
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin--Oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!--
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, it is well
Through the storm, I am held
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well
God has won; Christ prevailed
It is well, it is well with my soul
And Lord, hast 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, it is well
Through the storm, I am held
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well, it is well
God has won; Christ prevailed
It is well, it is well with my soul
Eleven new words.
So powerful.
I have this canvas hanging up by my bed. What a great reminder...
When life becomes overwhelming or confusing or heartbreaking or torrential, how often is our first reaction, it is well? I admit that it's not always my first reaction. Yet, my God promises that through these storms, He will hold me. No matter what I am facing (or not facing), no matter if my heart is broken from my past or at a loss as to my future, I can be assured that my God has won and my Christ has prevailed. He is sovereign and just and good, and I can claim that IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.
