It is well with my soul

I'm sitting here in Northern Ireland, and for days I've been thinking and thinking about what I could perhaps write about on this site, some incredible topic that would intrigue and encourage people to pursue G-d. And for days I've come up with nothing. I still have nothing. But that's ok.
As I sit here, sipping some disgustingly simple instant coffee and listening to Shane and Shane, a song emerged that tugged at my heart, one that we've probably all heard before by different artists. The song is titled "It Is Well (With My Soul)".
Maybe we've all heard the story behind the song, but in case not I'm going to refresh you. It's about a man named Horatio Spafford, who went through an incredibly hard time in his life. First he lost his only son. Shortly after that, the great Chicago fire caused financial ruin for his family. Following this, he lost his four daughters in a ship wreck in which his wife alone was saved. On his way from America to Europe to meet his grieving wife, Spafford's ship passed the site where his daughters had drowned and he was inspired to write this song:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though satan should buffet, 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.

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 L-rd, praise the L-rd, O my soul!

And L-rd, 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.

Many times that's where we end the story. But Horatio Spafford's story continues. In the following years he and his wife had three more children, two daughters and a son who died in infancy. With the remainder of their lives, Horatio and his wife moved to Jerusalem and founded a colony to help the poor.
I find this story incredible. This man was a modern-day Job. In the midst of his struggles and grief and losing most of everything he had in life, he still praised G-d. And not only did he choose to adopt this attitude of praise, he wrote a song about it and lived it out. He chose not to dwell in his grief and loss, though it would have been easy to do so. Instead, he chose to praise G-d with his life and to help people.

I wonder, what are we complaining about today? And why are we complaining instead of praising our Abba?

I would encourage you all today, please take the time to do this: Sit down and write a list of the things you worry about, stress about, complain about. Then spend some time in prayer just praising G-d for his goodness and mercy and grace. Praise his name despite your circumstances. I think you'll find that having an attitude of praise is much better than a lifestyle of complaining.
Then I would encourage you, look around and see where you can get involved, how you can help out. It is much better to help others than to spend all your time focusing on yourself and your own problems.

And please, let me know your thoughts on this post. Let me know if you took my challenge and if it changed something for you. I'd love to hear comments and stories! I pray Abba's blessing on you all today and each day, and may the peace of Jehovah be with you always.

Shalom.