Don't Be a Fair Weathered Friend to God

So this is one of my favorite hymns.  I mean, I LOVE it.  There is something so true, so pure in the lyrics of this song.  And when you know the story behind it, you KNOW for a fact that this thing called faith, is real.  There is no way a man who experienced such loss could write a song like this without God showing Him the truth.  This man, he lost everything that mattered - his children- one to scarlet fever, and 4 others in a terrible collision on the ocean as they were heading off for a much needed vacation.  He was supposed to be on that ship.  He was called away and insisted they continue on without him and he would join them later.  This tragedy was experienced by his wife and he boarded the next ship to set sail to meet her.  While on the way, the captain told him when they reached the spot where his daughters had died and he penned the words to this amazing song.

1. 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.
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
2. Though Satan should taunt me, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. 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!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste 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.

So whenever I think my life is out of control, I am having "issues" (financial, emotional or physical) or am feeling stressed, I simply tune in to this song in my head and I remember that God does not desire for me to be a fair weathered friend.  He wants me to love and trust Him NO MATTER WHAT and serve Him on the good days AND the bad ones. 

So whatever my lot, God has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

Thank you Horatio Gates Spafford for teaching me to be a true friend to God!