We just launched our It Is Well With My Soul tee and wanted to share the inspiration behind this special Hymn. This is taken directly from the Daily Grace Co Hymn study.
After the Chicago fire of 1871, Horatio Spafford decided to take his family on a vacation to Europe to help Mr. Moody with his evangelistic meetings in Great Britain. He sent his wife and four daughters on ahead overseas, Horatio being detained in America for a short time. Halfway through the trip, their boat collided with another vessel and sank within 12 minutes. His four daughters drowned, leaving Horatios’ wife as one of only a few survivors. Shortly thereafter, Horation stood on the mast of the ship in deep despair as he headed to meet his grieving wife. As he passed through the waters where his daughters were said to have drowned, a sudden peace swept over him and filled his heart with such comfort that he immediately penned the words of this famous hymn.
lyrics: It is well with my soul
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
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate
And has shed His own blood for my soul
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought (a thought)
My sin, not in part, but the whole (every bit, every bit, all of it)
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more (yes)
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O 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
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
The hymn is composed to include all seasons of life we go through: peace, grief and loss, trials, sin, redemption and death. We praise God easily in the peace and joyful seasons but wonder where He is in the tragedy. God is there and we know He never leaves or forsakes. The writer encourages us to remember this assurance and allow it to take control, shifting our eyes to the cross, remembering His sacrifice and blood shed for us. May we praise the Lord in the midst of our circumstances and look to the coming triumph and remember in all things that it is well with my soul because he is not near but right there.
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