It is Well with My Soul

Last night I heard this incredible biography about strength, hope, love, and perseverance. I must tell you it! Are you familiar with the song, It is Well with My Soul? If you aren't, it is a beautiful hymn that is sung in most churches. It is a hymn that has stood the test of time. Even if you know the song and have sung it a million times, most do not know the story that inspired the lyrics. Here it is:

There was a prominent lawyer named, Horatio G. Spafford. He lived in Chicago and was very influential. Spafford was married and had four daughters and one son. He desired what any husband and father would, to provide and take care of the family he loved. Shortly before 1871, in an attempt to provide, Spafford made the decision to invested heavily in real estate near the shores of Lake Michigan.

Sadly, in 1871 a massive fire hit Chicago. The fire destroyed much of the city including all of Spafford's investment properties. His livelihood was demolished. During this time, Spafford and his wife also experienced the loss of their son. Devastation hit. Hard.

In an effort to provide some relief for his family and him, Spafford scheduled a trip to Europe for his family. On the day that they were scheduled to depart on S.S. Ville du Havre, a last minute business deal kept Spafford behind. He decided to send his wife and four daughters ahead and he planned to meet up with them in Europe a few days later.

On November 22, the ship with his wife and daughters was struck by the Lockhearn, an English vessel, and sank in just few minutes. After the survivors were landed, Spafford's wife messaged him in America. Her message read, "Saved alone." Spafford took the next ship to Europe.

It was on Spafford's travels, taking the same route as his wife and daughters had just days before, that Spafford wrote the lyrics to the song, It is Well with My Soul.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, 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 Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, 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.

 

This is a story that seems like it {almost} gives Spafford permission to live in hurt, pain, and self loathing, yet, Spafford turns his story into a beautiful tribute, essentially saying: 

 

To the good and bad

lovely and ugly

It is all well with my soul

All of it is good

It shapes me, molds me, makes me reliant on God

I am forgiven, I am free

And glory is at the end of this long road

I keep my eyes up!

 

 What a beautiful reminder that it is all good and worth the journey.

 

 

Information taken from

http://suite101.com/article/hymn-it-is-well-with-my-soul-a32616