It is Well with my Soul

Don’t you love it when you find out that a phrase you enjoy actually has an inspirational story behind it? The other weekend while I was at home, I showed my father a few the crafty projects I planned on doing this fall. One of these projects was s simple painting with the phrase “It is well with my soul.” Upon seeing this he shared a story that was so inspiring I couldn’t help but share. Now everyday I have yet another reminder of God’s love for me and the blessings He has given.

Horatio Spafford was a lawyer of some prominence in Chicago. He and his wife Anna had one son and four daughters. Mr. Spafford’s children had come to Christ through the influence of Ira Sankey’s music. Shortly before the Great Chicago Fire, the Spafford’s son died and the family went into deep mourning. After a few years of sadness and financial struggles Mr. Spafford decided his family deserved a vacation. Mr. Spafford decided to take his family to England so that they could take a vacation and help his friends who were leading evangelical meetings for the church.

 

Mr. Spafford booked passage for his family on the ship SS Ville de Havre, but at the last minute was unable to go with his family due to business. He promised to follow them within a few weeks and they would all be reunited in England.

 
As the ship sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, it collided with an iron sailing vessel. The ship sank within 12 minutes. 226 lives were lost- including the four Spafford daughters. Mrs. Spafford was rescued from a floating piece of debris. When she arrived in Wales 10 days later she cabled a message to her husband, “Saved Alone…”

 
Mr. Spafford booked passage on the next ship heading to England. As the ship crossed the area where the SS Ville de Havre sank, taking his precious daughters to the ocean’s depths, Mr. Spafford felt the Holy Spirit fill him with a comforting peace. Leaving the ship’s railing he went into his cabin where he penned the Hymn that has soothed so many souls who have been brokenhearted…

 

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Do you let the Holy Spirit fill you with peace and comfort in times of need?