Some of the most powerful hymns have been written from pain and despair. Thomas A. Dorsey wrote “Precious Lord Take My Hand” after his wife and infant daughter both died during child birth. “Precious Lord take my hand, lift me up; let me stand. I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m worn.” That was a prayer from his heart.
Horacio Spafford lost his wife and child in a storm at sea before writing “It Is Well With My Soul”. “When sorrows like sea billows roll.” That line came straight from his soul.
Rev. Joseph M. Scriven, a preacher in Canada, wrote a poem to console his mother who was very lonely in Europe. That poem, which began, “What a Friend We Have In Jesus” was later set to music and has consoled millions of lonely souls.
Shortly after I lost my wife of fifty years, I began to write my blog. The one thing I have in common with those men is that God was with me in my time of pain and grief. A very good friend recently reminded me that whatever Christians are going through, we are “going through” and not stuck there because God is with us all the way to the other side. I am gratified to know that my blog has blessed people around the world and I keep the encouragement while giving God all of the praise, just as i’m sure those men mentioned above did.