“His peace will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:7
Horatio Spafford knew something
about life’s unexpected challenges. A successful lawyer and real estate
investor, he and his lovely wife Anna enjoyed five children. Yet, they were not
strangers to heartbreak and calamity.
Their beloved 4-year-old son, Horatio Jr, died of scarlet
fever – the same year the Great Chicago Fire gutted much of his fortune along
the Lake Michigan shoreline.
But the worst was yet to come.
Thinking a vacation
would do his family some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to
England, planning to join them after he finished some pressing business at
home.
Four days into the
voyage, their ship struck a larger, iron-clad vessel. Within 12 minutes, the
ship slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic, carrying with it 226
passengers including the four Spafford children. Only Anna survived.
His faith never faltered. As he thought about his daughters three miles below, words of comfort and hope filled his heart. His writings would become a well-beloved hymn:
“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll -
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know. It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Its somber tone focuses less on what was lost and more on where hope can be
found. Published in 1876, “It is Well with My Soul” was composed by songwriter
Philip Bliss.
Back in Chicago,
the Spaffords tried mending their shattered lives. Anna gave birth to Bertha (1878)
as well as a son, Horatio (1880) though he later died of scarlet fever just like
his brother before him (of the same name).
Five years later
and after the birth of daughter Grace, the Spaffords moved to Jerusalem out of
a devout interest in the Holy Land. There they established the American Colony,
a utopian community engaged in philanthropic work regardless of religious
affiliation. It welcomed Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
It’s amazing to
think such encouraging and uplifting words were born from the depths of such
unimaginable sorrow. It’s an example of truly inspiring faith and trust in the
Lord. Perhaps that’s why this hymn, like no other, demonstrates the power our
God has to comfort our weary souls when the darkest tragedies overtake us.
Heavenly Father, life can be so
unpredictable, with both joys and sorrows. But You bring me such peace. No matter what the future holds, it is “well
with my soul” because You are always with me.
I know that You will carry me through. Amen
