Growing up, I always loved the song It is Well With My Soul. My mom used to have a music box that would play it, and I could listen to it for hours because it was so beautiful. I still remember learning about the story behind the song when I was in fourth grade. I went to a Christian school, and my teacher played the song for us, then talked about why the author wrote it. I teared up when she told us about it, because it was such an amazing display of God’s grace, mercy and peace.
It is Well was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. He was a businessman in Chicago who met hardships and tragedies that I cannot begin to imagine. After loosing a son to pneumonia and a lot of his business in Chicago, he and his family decided to travel to Europe to help out his colleague Dwight L. Moody in one of his campaigns in Great Britain. However, due to unexpected business problems that arose, he was not able to travel with his family as planned. Spafford’s wife and four children went on to Europe, and he was expected to follow shortly. A few days into the journey, the ship his family was on collided with another ship and, in 12 quick minutes, Spafford’s life was changed forever. His wife was the only member of his family that was saved, and she wired “Saved alone” to him once she arrived safely in Europe. Spafford immediately left to meet up with his wife. As he was sailing near where the ship carrying his daughters had sunk, he wrote the beautiful words to It is Well.
In the midst of the hardest time in his life, Spafford was still grounded in his faith in the Lord. He had just lost all of his children in a horrible accident, yet he was able to say,
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.
My favorite verse is the fourth verse, which says,
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.
My family has been going through some tough times lately. I have not been faced with such heartache, despair and sorrow before. There have been good days and bad days, and everything going on around me can feel overwhelming at times. But, as Paul said in Philippians 4:7, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I have been able to see more than ever before how much peace we have in Christ. Not just in our salvation, but in knowing that He is sovereign over all things, and he works all things for the good of those who love them (Romans 8:28). In the midst of tragedy, I pray that I can continue to turn to God and say “it is well with my soul”. Because for me to live is Christ, and my every action should reflect that!
Check out my painting on Etsy, or enjoy this free digital download! : )
I remember my band director explaining this song when we were learning to play it. I’ve always wondered if I could be that strong if faced with the sort of tragedy the songwriter was dealing with. I’ve certainly had tragedy and disappointment but nothing to that level. Glad you are finding strength in Him. Love your painting!
Thank you for your sweet words, Sabrina! I love how God can use songs to speak to us.
This song has always been an inspiration to me as well. At a time when we nearly “lost” a child to CPS, this song came to mean even more to me. Thank you for sharing!
Wow, that’s such a great testimony! I love hearing how God uses songs like this to remind us that He is there.
Love this song. It’s always been one of my favorite hymns. Beautiful painting (as always).
MIne too! And thank you Jessica. I love painting so much!!
Becca, what a beautiful post. I am so sorry you and your family have been going through tough times. I love your response to it all though. “It Is Well” has always been one of my and my mom’s favorite hymns as well. And I love that printable so much! Going to save that for sure!
Thank you so much, Sarah! The peace that God gives us in this difficult time is amazing. And I’m glad you liked the printable, thanks for saving!
It is well I really enjoyed reading your post this morning. Yes It is Well.
Thank you for your sweet words, Candy!
And how do you know God is good? When you wake up with anxiety, and you find this post first thing. It is well. I need to remember that today and always. Thank you!
You made my day! Thank you for affirming the reasons why I wrote this post- to share the love and peace of Christ with others.
And you made mine! Thank you!!
Amazing! I had no idea who wrote that song or why, but listening to it as a way of just touching you on such a deep level. I have had some times in my life where I have experiences Philippians 4:7 first hand and there is nothing like. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.
I agree! There is no greater peace than the peace we receive from Christ.
Wow! Thanks for sharing the history of that song. Love you, dear friend. I’m praying for you.
Thank you Amanda! Love you, and thank you for your constant love and support. Your friendship means so much to me!
I’ve never heard of that hymn, but I really like the words. The songs I grew up with in church still echo in my heart too. I wish you good times ahead.
You should listen to it! The song is so beautiful.
I’d heard the story of that song before, and it makes it even more beautiful.
Isn’t the story amazing?! I still can’t imagine what the author was thinking and going through when he wrote it. It brings the words of the song to a much deeper and meaningful level.
Yes! My pastor shared this story before! So amazing! Thanks for this beautiful post!
Thank you for your sweet words! I love this song.
Thank you, Jessica! Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you Erica!! You are so sweet.