Faith in Tragedy: “Well With My Soul.”

Most face pain and grief in their lives. Some lapse into bitterness. Some resilient souls cling to their faith in tragedy, serving God and helping others. Such devout Christians were Horatio and Anna Spafford, who reacted to what many would consider incalculable tragedy to comfort those suffering during their lifetime and still today—150 years later.

Maintaining Faith in Tragedy

Horatio Spafford wrote the inspiring hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” as his and Anna’s faith was sustained during what might be considered Job-like testing, which began when their only son died at age four. A year later they lost their considerable material wealth and possessions in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

The family planned a trip to England, and Anna and their four daughters (all under age 11) left before Horatio, who was involved in post fire business matters. They were on the SS Ville du Havre, which, near Newfoundland, collided with the ship Loch Earn and sank in the North Atlantic. All four of their daughters perished in the freezing waters. Anna, who was with them, was rescued unconscious on a wooden plank.

Anna sent a telegram to Horatio when she arrived in Wales: “Saved alone. What shall I do?” What did they do? They mourned their daughters but clung to their faith in tragedy. Horatio wrote “It Is Well with My Soul” to share the comfort they found in their faith. He didn’t deny the suffering, but in the first verse he expressed it in context.

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.

Feeling Hope in Jesus Christ

The second verse begins with the buffeting and trials the Spaffords were going through, followed by the “blest assurance” Horatio understood in the Atonement of Jesus Christ for his 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.

As Horatio and Anna were returning to the United States, the captain of their ship pointed out the place where their daughters had died. Horatio later wrote to Anna’s half sister, “On Thursday last, we passed over the spot where [the ship] went down, in mid-ocean, the waters three miles deep. But I do not think of our dear ones there. They are safe . . . dear lambs.”

Philip Bliss, who wrote the music for this hymn, named his original tune “Ville du Havre,” expressing his very personal feelings of grief.

Looking Forward

Like Job, Horatio and Anna continued strong in their faith in tragedy. And they received some restitution. After grieving for their four daughters, the Spaffords were blessed with three more children. They moved to Jerusalem, where they formed the American Colony, a utopian society serving Jews, Muslims, and Christians. They transformed grief into service.

The final verse of this precious hymn looks ahead with an eye of faith to a day when the Savior returns.

And Lord, haste the day when the 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

When we experience loss and grief, we can exercise hope. Trusting our faith in tragedy, we can find healing as we thank the Lord for His blessings, comfort, and eternal perspective. We can feel unity as we endure our tragedies and difficulties, singing alone, together, or in our hearts, “It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

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