It CAN be well with your soul!
No matter what comes my way, whether it is relational difficulties, financial struggles or even extreme sickness, my desire is to come thru it all with knowing it CAN be well with my soul.
No matter what we go thru, there is always someone who has a harder struggle, a rougher life, and a more impossible cross to bear. I guess that is why every time I hear the hymn “It is well with my soul”, I am reminded that even in the midst of our storm, God can give us peace. If a man named Horatio could find peace, I’m pretty sure we can. After all, his storm was a biggie…
Born in 1828, Horatio Spafford was a man who seemed to have it all; from extensive real estate holdings to a family he dearly loved. But tragedy was soon nipping at his heels. His only son died in 1871. While the family was still grieving, the great Chicago Fire swept through the city, destroying all their real estate investments.
In 1873, the family planned a trip to Europe, but Horatio was delayed by business so he sent his wife and four daughters ahead. But they never reached shore. Their ship collided with another. Spafford received a telegram from his wife with just two words: “Saved alone.”
While sailing to meet his wife, the captain of the ship he was on brought him on deck and said “I believe we’re quite close to the spot where your daughters died.”
Horatio returned to his room and put pen to paper. What do you think he wrote? What kind of anguish would pour out of a man who lost all of his children? If you haven’t heard this story before, the answer may surprise you. Horatio Stafford wrote these words:
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.
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.
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.
I don’t know what struggles and burdens you carry today, but with the peace that passes all understanding, the peace that comes only from God our Father, you too can have the assurance that it is well with your soul.
If you find yourself in the midst of a terrific storm today, stop a minute and listen to this song and allow the peace of God to wrap you up. It CAN be well with your soul!
Amen to that Laurie. It is good that all is well with my soul, no matter the struggles I am going through.
Thanks, Iris! Such encouraging words this morning! Even in the storms of life, God can give us peace when we lean on Him!
Blessings, Joan
Whoops! Sorry, Laurie! I saw Iris’ name in the comment above and accidentally addressed my comment to her! 🙂
SO VERY TRUE.