It is not well with my soul. And why it’s okay.

Last week, looking at Thomas and his story, we see it was not well with his soul. Not until Jesus showed up anyway. Even those two disciples on the Road to Emmaus were very unsettled in their current situation. I, myself, have experienced a great deal of discontentment lately. Sometimes my spiritual director will ask, “How is it with your soul?” She doesn’t just stop there. She might ask the question two, three, even four times, to get to the heart of the matter.

Many of us have uneasy spirits right now. Who can withstand the harshness of life at times? Who can say with confidence “It is well with my soul?”

We don’t need to disregard that anxiousness though. We should not look the other way. There is a reason for all that doubt and worry. And there is only One who can restore our peace.

“How are you really?”

In Thomas’ uncertainty, he said, “unless I see… I will not believe.” Peace is important, but it also important that we not get stuck in our worry. Fear only reveals our lack of trust in our Provider. But, it is the unsettled soul pushing into our own discomfort that reveals God at work in our lives. Jesus is always ready to show up and calm our fears, convincing us of who He is in the process. These restless moments make us less dependent on ourselves and more dependent on God.

Think about your life, your own times of discontentment, worry and anxiety. Are they not the very moments when God showed up? Without hardship in my own life, I’m not sure I would look to God so quickly. But in the midst of these trying times, God builds my trust and increases my faith. Praise be to God!

Back in January, I had my first surgery. Terrified at the thought of being put to sleep, I began to pray for God to take away my nervousness. God did not. In the midst of my anxiety, God whispered, “Trust me.” Trying and failing over and over again, I knew if I could somehow trust God enough, my fear would go away.

Everyday, those fears would creep in on me. It was not well with my soul. I started listening to a particular praise song. Every time I felt that nervous feeling, I would cut that song on. While listening, sometimes I would cry. Sometimes I would pray. And sometimes, I would confess my fears and lack of trust. Little by little, my peace was restored. But it took that unsettled feeling to keep me plugged into God. After surgery, I realized I had learned some new lessons. One, I can trust God. Two, God was growing my faith in the midst of my fears.

“It is Well with my Soul.” 

There is purpose in our unsettled souls. Just like Thomas’s uncertainty led to the revelation of Christ, hard times keep me connected to God. I heard Beth Moore say once, “If trials and tribulations keep me close to God, then bring on the trials and tribulations.” That’s a scary thought but one that resonates with me. I would rather be close to God in the midst of my turmoil than to be without God in my so-called perfect world.

Jesus, appearing to Thomas, created the only appropriate response. Because when God reveals Himself to you, there is only one thing left to say, “My Lord and my God.”

I want to encourage you today, if it is not well with your soul, see the situation for what it is, a growth opportunity. Then, press into God. “Draw near to God and God will draw near to you.” That’s a a promise! God loves us so much, He is willing to work through our fears to reveal Himself to us. Trust God whether is is well with your soul or not. And before you know it, you will be proclaiming, “My Lord and my God.”

May the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding protect your hearts and minds. Amen.

P.S.- Let the song below be your anthem until it is in fact “Well with your soul.” Be sure to share this message on your Facebook page and tag me in your post. Or leave me a comment below because I always love hearing from you. -M