It is Well...

"Please run now to meet her and say to her, 'Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?'" And she answered, "It is well." 2 Kings 4:26 (NASB)

Horatio Spafford wrote the amazingly beautiful hymn, "It is Well With My Soul", in response to the tragic loss of his four daughters who perished in the shipwreck of the Ville du Havre on November 22, 1873. Some believe that the above verses from 2 Kings may have inspired the wording. Please be sure to watch the YouTube video which I have also posted here. The amazing story of continued commitment to the Lord in the face of horrible tragedy doesn't end here. The rest of the story seems to be avoided by many, probably because Horatio Spafford suffered from mental illness near the end of his life. You may be wondering what could cause someone with such great faith to suffer with mental illness. But mental illness is an infirmity, a disease like any other disease, and can strike anyone like any other disease. I read something about this when I googled it today and a random blogpost by "whomever" mentioned that it was not well with Horatio Spafford's soul after all. I would venture to say (although I was not there in the late 1880's with the Spaffords) that what was wrong with Horatio Spafford was not wrong with his soul. If it can be well with your soul while you have a physical illness, it can also be well with your soul when you have a mental illness. Horatio Spafford spent much of his life helping the poor and destitute and serving the Lord. It's just too bad that when he needed help, there may have been none to be found.

It Is Well With My Soul by Horatio Spafford
1873

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea-billows roll,
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to know:
"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.

Tho' Satan should buffet, tho' 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, oh, my soul.

Refrain

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."

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 shalt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

Dear Lord, Thank you that You are with us at all times even when it seems not to be true to others looking on. Thank you that You will never leave us or forsake us, not in sickness or in health.

Have a wonderful weekend!