The Story and The Song : IT IS WELL

If you have ever wondered what the author of the hymn 'It is well' was going through when he wrote the hymn, here it is:

THE STORY: 

The hymn was written by Horatio Spafford. He was born in 1828 and was a wealthy lawyer who lived in Chicago with his family - a wife (Anna), four daughters and a son.

At the peak of his success professionally and financially, Horatio and Anna suffered a tragic loss of their only son. Then, the Great Chicago Fire, on October 8, 1871, destroyed almost every real estate investment that they had. 

Two years later, in order to completely recover from the tragedy, Horatio scheduled a vacation trip to Europe also to attend an evangelistic meeting in England. He sent his wife and daughters ahead of him while attended to some unexpected last minute business. 

Few days later, he received information that the family ship was involved in a collision and sank. All four of his daughters drowned; only the wife survived. 

With a heavy heart, Spafford boarded a boat to take him to his grieving wife at England. It was on this trip, as he passed by the location where his four daughters died, he wrote the words "When sorrows like sea billows roll; it is well, it is well with my soul."

Philip Bliss, a composer, composed a beautiful piece of music to accompany the lyrics.

For more than a century, the tragic story of one man has given hope to countless thousands who have lifted their voices to sing, 'It is well with my soul.'

THE HYMN: 

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 (it is well),
with my soul (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 hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

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.

Refrain

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.

Refrain

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)