Overwhelmed

“Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.” – Psalm 61

Horatio Spafford was a wealthy attorney and land owner. He lived in Chicago with his wife and 5 children. In 1871, his 4-year-old son died suddenly of scarlet fever. That same year a massive fire swept through downtown Chicago, destroying most of the city and many of his properties. Despite their huge losses, the Spaffords helped the thousands who were left homeless.
Two years later, the family made plans to sail to England for a much needed vacation. He was delayed because of business, so he sent his wife and their four remaining daughters ahead.
While crossing the Atlantic their ship was struck by another ship and sank in twelve minutes. All four daughters died. Remarkably, his wife was found floating on debris, unconscious but alive. She telegraphed him a message:

“Saved alone….”

He left immediately for England to be with her.

One day the captain called him to the bridge. The captain explained that they were passing over the spot where his daughters had died.

Spafford went to his cabin and wrote,

“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.”

A week later he wrote in a letter,

“We passed over the spot where they went down…but, I don’t think of our dear ones there. They are safe, folded, the dear lambs, and there, before very long, shall we be too. In the meantime, thanks to God, we have an opportunity to serve and praise Him for His love and mercy to us and ours. I will praise Him while I have my being. May we each one, arise, leave all, and follow Him.”

In August of 1881, Horatio and Anna Spafford left America and settled in Jerusalem where they served the needy, the poor, the sick, and homeless children until his death in 1888 and hers in 1923.

Born from overwhelming circumstance, the hymn ‘It Is Well With My Soul’ is one of the most well known songs of comfort the world has ever heard.

OVERWHELMED

A bad diagnosis
A failed class
A breakup
A lost job
A hidden sin being brought into the light

Lots of life leads to our heart being overwhelmed

We are either currently overwhelmed, recently overwhelmed, or about to be overwhelmed. Because life is overwhelming.

So, take action.

Cry out to Daddy.
Tell Him what’s overwhelming you.
Ask Him to lead you to THE rock that is higher than you.
Remember that He has been a shelter for you, a high tower AGAINST THE ENEMY!

Remember, and be thankful.

OVERWHELMED

You have been prayed for today.