“It Is Well With My Soul” is one of those hymns who’s meaning is made so much richer when we know the story behind the lyrics. The author, Horatio G. Spafford, was a devout christian and a wealthy attorney who lived in Chicago with his wife Anna and their four daughters in the 1860s and ’70s.

Although he was wealthy he was no stranger to suffering and tragedy. The kind of tragedy which could easily make someone lose their faith.

In the 1860s a lot of his wealth was in real estate holdings located in downtown Chicago. All of this was lost in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

While still rebuilding and recovering from the fire, the Spaffords were invited to Europe in 1873 by their long-time friend, evangelist D. L. Moody, who was on an evangelistic trip in Europe. The Spaffords decided to join him there for a family holiday. Horatio, however, was detained by business but his wife and four daughters went on without him. Little did he know he was never to see his daughters on this earth again.

On November 2nd 1873, the ship that Anna and her daughters were on, the ‘Ville de Havre’, collided with an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people including those of Horatio’s four daughters. Anna Spafford was rescued and, when she finally reached Europe, she sent her husband a telegram with the simple message: “saved alone.” Horatio immediately headed to join his wife in Europe and, a few days later, was over the exact spot in the ocean where his precious daughters had lost their lives.

The story goes that, on hearing from the captain of the ship he was on that they were at the place where his daughters had died, he retired to his cabin and penned the words to this great hymn.

After these tragedies, the Spaffords also suffered the loss of a three year old son to malaria but their faith remained strong till the end of their lives. Later in life they moved to Israel and set up medical facilities, orphanages, soup kitchens, schools, and a pediatric hospital.

What tragedies have you experienced in life? Whatever they are, better or worse than those experienced by the Spaffords, you can trust in the grace and power of our God to see you through.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear,though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Psa 46:1-3 KJV

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you,
those thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
Isa 26:3-4 NLT