It is well, with my soul
1876 must have been a bad year. At least for Horatio Spafford. A bad year?…. some may even say a bad life. He lost everything financially, in the “Chicago fire”, and all four of his daughters were killed when their ship collided with another.
His response? After receiving a telegram from his wife to explain the deaths of their children, on which were simply the words “Saved Alone” Horatio responded by writing the following hymn:
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.Refrain
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.Refrain
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!Refrain
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.Refrain
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!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!Refrain
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.
Years and years later- in his 70’s, my grandfather finally heard the voice of Christ. He responded. He was saved. Then, he had a bad year. He was diagnosed with lung cancer. The cancer chipped away at his body, taking his health and strength from him. At the same time, God was building up his Spirit. An auto-exec found his needs met- in Christ. His life was changed- in many more ways than the cancer changed it. He was a new man.
At my grandfathers funeral- they played “It is well” and I wept. Not just because of the loss, but because I knew, that even in this situation, that the words were true.
How is your soul today? How is your life? Is it a mess? Is it cloudy and stormy and tragic? I pray that you will find peace in this one thing that you can be “Saved alone”. Not the only one rescued from a sinking ship- but in knowing that while all around you falters- Christ will not.
Click the links- to let Horatio’s word’s wash over you.
“Dear Lord- I pray that everyone who comes here, can say the same as Horatio- “It is well with my soul” even when everything else IS NOT. I love you Lord- and pray for your voice to sing these words to our hearts- amen”
That song makes me cry every time I hear it! I pray that I can always say “It is well with my soul” even in the midst of turmoil.
Thanks, Tracey~
I think believing in the fact that it CAN be well with my soul, even when everything around me says otherwise is the truest moment. I love hearing and singing that song as well! Thank you for reminding us of the circumstances under which Horatio penned those beloved words.
Tracey,
This hymn is one of my favoties. Neat story about your Grandfather. There is always hope. I cling to that for my hubby.
I love that song, always touches my heart.
Hi Tracey,
Great post. I love this hymn, but can barely make it through w/o sobbing because of the pure, godly love this man exhibits in unbelievable circumstances. It’s easy to believe in the fair weather. Thanks for the reminder that our faith needs to be rich for the storms, as well. Blessings.
it is the first time for me to know this hymn,and also its writer and his story. The lyric touches my heart…
It is well with my soul, it is easy to say when eveything around you goes well, but hard to say when you meet some bad things in your life…but “God is faithful even when I am not” thanks…
Unreal, I just posted about this song not 2 hours ago! It carries me through so many times!!! It’s neat to know it carries you too. Blessings to you!
I mentioned this as well not long ago. Amazing. Like Millie said, it’s easy to say everything’s well when life is going great….but over the years I’ve learned what the hymn writer meant….when the avalanche of life falls down on us, it can still be well with our soul. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.