What is it that can cause a man who has lost almost every earthly blessing to pen it is well?
My most favourite hymn of all time is the haunting story of the blind-eyed faith of Horatio Spafford’s It is Well.
No doubt the story of Spafford writing it, when crossing the Atlantic, at the place where his four daughters drowned (after previously losing his young son to death, and experiencing his financial ruin in the great Chicago Fire) only enhances the significance of it’s meaning.
When I am faced with life-shaking struggles, or mountain-high obstacles that seem impossibly unmovable, or when I just cannot seem to see what is around the next corner, I am confronted with the question,
can I still sing, it is well with?
And I do sing it, sometimes with expectant joy, more often through clenched teeth, robotic.
God does not ask for me (us) to be a mannequin-like worshipper, he wants my (our) gritty heart-broken soul. He wants me (us) to understand what faith is, “the confidence of what we hope for, the assurance of what we do not see” (Hebrews 1:1).
Following this definition of faith are reminders of the those who have lived with blind-eyed faith (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab etc.). The chapter ends with these words:
“These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 1:39-40)
If we can have the confidence in our God, that he sees and knows what we do not. If we can hold to his promises, that he has something planned that we might not even live to see. If we can trust in his love for us, then it is well, with our souls.
Though the song below is not Spafford’s version, it holds that same blind-eyed assurance of his faithfulness to us.
itsawonderfilledlife 
This is my favorite hymn too. the was a beautiful post and reminder. Thank you.
Thanks! I am certain it is a favorite hymn of many, who share in the experience of knowing that it is well with our souls!
Carole
I’m often told how positive I am, and I DO thank God that He has given me a positive spirit, because only He can take the credit for that. But I will admit that every single time I sing this hymn, or even think about it (as now) my eyes well up with tears. As many trials that I have been thru, God has brought me through them, and He has been my strong support and loving caretaker. However, let’s be hones— there are times, mostly in the privacy of my home or car, that I cry out and swear in anger or pain. But even in those moments, I know that it is well with my soul.
Oh, that is my (teary) experience, as well, when singing that song. As well as those times of shaking my fists at Him. And through it all (the blessings and the curses) acknowledging that it is well, with our souls … even when we don’t see all that is going on.
Thanks for your honest, sincere comment, my kindred spirit friend!
Carole
It is very possible Spafford wrote those words in a somewhat robotic state. He may have had to force himself to trust that it is well. Sometimes that is what it takes.
One of David’s Psalms says, “why do downcast oh my soul? I WILL bless the Lord and forget not His benefits”. These are times of great despair when David didn’t feel like blessing the Lord but would not let feelings stop his praise. His soul may not have felt like blessing God but he was going to do it anyway.
Sometimes our robotic worship is a sign of a determined worship, and that, I believe, is a sign of maturity.
Lee,
I had not thought of how Spafford might have written those words in a robotic state, yet it makes sense. This hymn reminds me, when I sing it, that my heart, or feelings are not always the most accurate reflection of reality. Thanks for your sharing on this post! I so appreciate your input.
Blessings,
Carole