He had sent his family ahead to visit evangelist D.L. Moody, but the ship and his four daughters disappeared into the foamy death of the sea. His wife was the lone survivor of the horrific crash, as she clung to the debris. En route to comfort her, he stood on the deck and watched the sea roll over his sorrow. Returning to his cabin, he penned the words to this song.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Those who grieve spill tears in every moment and wear huge holes in their hearts. It’s easy to assume that those tears indicate a lack of trust in God and a refusal to heal. But that isn’t so.
Horatio Spafford painted a beautiful picture of God’s healing in our circumstance. While grieving the loss of his four daughters he still uttered the words…It is well with my soul.
Trusting God doesn’t mean that tears can’t fall. It doesn’t mean that there is no pain. In fact, there WILL be pain in this life, but we are blessed BEYOND that. Sang in more recent days, the song goes…
I am pressed but not crushed Persecuted not abandoned Struck down but not destroyed. I’m blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy’s gonna be my strength
His promise will endure. Beyond the curse. Beyond the circumstance. It is in that truth that I can say, It is well with my soul. Tears and trust don’t have to be separate. They can fall at the same time. For even in the pain, His JOY is my strength. Even in the tears, my heart beams with hope. For it is well with my soul.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:19
Have you ever felt the tears and yet still clung to the truth that all is well with your soul? What do you think often keeps us from doing so?
Linked with Far Above Rubies
Kim Sorgius
Kim is just a girl, crazy in love with Jesus. She's a single mother of 4, a passionate homeschooler and life-long student. After teaching 8 years in public school, she traded her M.A. in Early Childhood for sippy cups and homeschool co-ops. Kim is the owner and editor of The Homeschool Village and Not Consumed where she encourages others to rest victoriously in the hands of God, rather than allowing life's difficult circumstances to consume.
Follow Me:
Last updated by at .
Thank you for the encouragement. I am trying to get to the point that all is well with my soul…I just keep praying!!! Thankful for a Faithful God !
Just remember, all is not well because we feel that way. All is well because God is faithful to His promises. Love you, friend. Praying for you!
Yes, I needed this reminder! I’m quoting (and linking) you today.
Do you have a blog, Christina? I’d love to read it!
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
I really like that song.
The words are so much more meaningful after knowing why they were written.
Tears and trust don’t have to be separate- I really like that, and I needed that today. Thanks.
After I wrote that sentence, I sat and reflected on how amazing He really is. Those were His words, not mine and they were such a comfort to my soul. I’m so glad that you were encouraged as well!
Kim!
This blessed me so! I am in the midst of a trial, it’s part of losing an old friend. My heart cries out to sing with a joy that never wavers, “it is well, with my soul”! Thank you for all of your encouragement sister. ~ Blessings, Amy
Praying for you friend. I’m so glad that you could be encouraged. God is so cool that He would take the time to work in the little details. I love that.