Joseph Scriven was getting married — but on his wedding day, his fiancée went for a swim before the ceremony and drowned.

Heartbroken, Scriven moved to Canada, vowing to never let himself fall in love again, but ten years later he met Eliza. Sadly, his new love contracted tuberculosis three weeks before their wedding and died.

Stunned, Joseph took a vow of poverty. Sometime later, he got news that his mother was dying. Penniless, he had no way of going to her, so he sat down to write her a letter, praying for comforting words.

God inspired him to compose the beautiful hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

Is it hard to see how Joseph’s life could ever praise God, how his heart could be steadfast? What was there to praise God about? Yet his connection with Jesus was what carried him through.

When we awaken each morning to challenging circumstances, it is time to lift up our hearts and voices in songs of praise. In spite of all that overwhelms us, we can steady our hearts by acknowledging before God all that is right in our personal world.

By singing to God each morning, we build trust that He will make everything come together for good as we wait for Him.