twitterpated karin: Self Talk

Do you talk to yourself? Most of you probably do...go shopping, pick up some cat food...
Well many, me included, add to the self talk with discouraging words such as; you never, idiot, why don't you? In an effort to curtail this type of talking to myself I picked up this book.

I have read two chapters and there is a lot for me to grasp onto. You have heard the words, "as your mind thinks, so you will be." Precisely what Jennifer is talking about in this book-put better words in your closet to put on. She also has a website (and lots more books). On the reading that corresponds to Chapter 1 there was this story that I thought was amazing. I have copied it directly from her site so be sure to pop over to it!

Chapter 1: The Story Behind the Song

The fact that Horatio Spafford could pen the words “it is well with my soul,” is truly amazing when you understand that it was not well with his circumstances. It had not been well for many years.

Horatio Spafford was a successful Chicago Lawyer who had invested heavily in real estate. Yet, because of the Great Chicago Fire in October 1871, the Spaffords lost almost everything they owned. This occurred in the midst of Horatio and his wife, Anna, grieving the death of their son whom they lost earlier that year.

Two years later, in1873, Horatio’s friend, D.L. Moody, was holding evangelistic crusades in England. Spafford felt that his family needed a break from the sadness, and he decided to take his family on a holiday in Europe to see their friend. He sent his wife and daughters ahead, and he was to join them as soon as he had wrapped up some business dealings.

On November 21, 1873, while crossing the Atlantic, the ship carrying Spafford’s wife and children was struck by an iron sailing vessel. On that dark day, two hundred and twenty-six people lost their lives, including all four of Spafford's daughters. His wife, Anna, was reportedly found floating unconscious on a piece of the ship’s mast. When she and the remaining survivors arrived in England, she sent a telegram to Horatio containing these profound words--"Saved alone."

Can you imagine his heartbreak? First, the death of his son, then the loss of personal wealth and business, and then the deaths of his remaining children. The human soul can only absorb so much sorrow. It was not well with his circumstances. According to Bertha Spafford (a daughter born later to Horatio and Anna), Spafford boarded a ship to go to England to meet his grief-stricken wife. As he sailed past the place where his daughters had died, he penned the moving words that we now know as “It Is Well With My Soul.”

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,

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

Chorus: It is well (it is well),

With my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well with my soul.

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

(Repeat chorus)