It Is Well with My Soul is one of the most inspirational Christian songs ever composed. This song has settled the heart of many a Christian in their distress as they zero in on God’s presence, spiritual protection, and blessings more than they get bogged down in the problems of this life. For that to be a reality we must stay very, very close to Jesus to be able to say the words It Is Well with My Soul; otherwise, the problems of this life will gobble us up.
The apostle Paul suffered severe persecution for his faith. He may have spent as much as 25% of his Christian life in prison just for trying to help people be saved by Jesus. But tribulations did not beat Paul into the ground; rather, he used them as stepping stones on the road to heaven. Paul wrote a lot in his letters about his sufferings for Jesus. In Romans he penned, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18.) In his last letter, before his execution for Jesus, he wrote younger Timothy, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned”. (II Timothy 2:8-9).
Here is the story behind the song It Is Well with` My Soul: This hymn was written after traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first two were the death of his four-year-old son and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to England with his family on the SS Ville du Havre, to help with D. L. Moody’s upcoming evangelistic campaigns. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford’s daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone …”. Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.
Read Philippians 4:4-13. Then listen to some Christians sing who know all too well the struggles of life, and yet they sing out It Is Well with My Soul.
Philippians 4:4-13
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act. Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.