BE ENCOURAGED (1) STORIES BEHIND THE HYMNS “It Is Well With My Soul”

Isaiah 3:10 KJV

[10] Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him : for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Attorney Horatio Spafford, a friend and supporter of D. L. Moody, and his wife, Anna, had a wonderful family of four daughters. Tragically, the great Chicago fire destroyed most of his business in 1871. In November 1873, he made plans to visit Europe with his wife and four daughters. At the last minute, he was caught up in some work and sent his wife and daughters first, on the Ville du Harve, planning to join them later. Halfway across the Atlantic, the ship collided with a vessel and sank rapidly. All four of his daughters drowned. Mrs. Spafford survived the accident.

Nine days later, she was able to contact her husband by telegraph with this question: “Saved alone—what shall I do?”

Spafford took the next available ship to join his wife. During the passage, the captain of the ship notified Spafford they were crossing the place where the Ville du Havre had sunk. After those moments of reflection and over the course of the rest of the journey, Spafford penned the words of this beloved hymn.

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.

Often times, it is very hard, amidst trials and hardships to sing this hymn and actually mean the words “It is well with my soul.” But it’s only by God’s help we can utter those words. He is our help, our strength, and our refuge.

Circumstance of life confronts a child of God. And God’s grace enables his child to trust the heart of the Father.

Life confronts us in different ways. Difficulty is the place we learn the greatest lessons about God’s faithfulness to us. May God teach us that “whatever our lot” we can still say, “It is well,” showing the world the unwavering faithfulness of our Father who loves us so much.

Shalom 

Folake Olukoyede