It Is Well With My Soul

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)


This verse and many others like it have been on my heart and mind the past few days in light of the past few months. I feel like I am in a marathon hurdle race. Paul talks about living life as race at the beginning of Hebrews 12. Here has been my recent experience.

The first few miles I was able to jump hurdle after hurdle. The gentle breeze refreshing me. The crowd on the sidelines encouraging me.

Then, I started knocking them down as I tried to jump them. A bump here. A bruise there. Still going. Still bearable.

Not long after, I was tripping over them. Sometimes, you run and realize how out of shape you are. I was out of shape. I was tired and weary and defeated. I wasn't getting enough of the water Jesus was offering my soul (John 4:14). I was feeding off of the adrenaline of my body and the cheers from the sidelines, hoping that would be enough.

I stopped to take a breath or two. When the beating of my heart drowned out the noise and the aches of my body triumphed over the endorphines, I was left to contemplate my state.

I slowed to a walk and stepped over them one by one. I always found it difficult to "consider it pure joy" to go through trials. In a sense, we all find it difficult to swallow. I'm in the thick of it and I am joyful. All the physical obstacles seem smaller when we make God bigger. The Lord has reminded me of the sustenance He so graciously offers. He is teaching me to trust IN HIM ALONE...a lesson that I need to learn and re-learn everyday. I can deal with the aches and pains because "it is well with my soul."

I'm jogging again, still a little tired, but I am jogging again. Where I hurt, He comforts. When I am thirsty, His Word is my Water. When I am weary, His Voice is my motivation. When I am weak, He is my strength. When I feel I cannot run anymore, He carries me.