Is it well?

Someone asked me how things were going with me one day, and I sighed bitterly as I answered...' wo, it is well'..... I said it was well, but I looked farrrrr from well :). I think I am not the only one in this boat of ' ah, it is well' ( sad expression, heavy heart)..... Many people are.

Are you? We all know the story of the woman in the bible that lost her son, and still said; all was well... but, even in our own generation, long after biblical times, someone made the words ' it is well' into a song that has been sung in almost every situation- marriage, burials, new births etc....Usually sung with bitter sweetness; it is a hymn that was composed in total submission to the will of God. I read the story and I was in awe... I wonder what you think---

Here’s the story

Horatio Spafford was a man of God, who lived back in 1828-1888. He lived in Chicago, and was a successful businessman.

In 1871, there was the Great Chicago Fire…one of the greatest disasters of their time, similar to how Hurricane Katrina was a disaster in our time. Many people lost all their possessions. Worse, Horatio Spafford’s son had died of scarlet fever at the age of 4 just prior to the Chicago Fire.

It was around that time that Mr. Spafford decided to make a new start, and to move his family overseas. He arranged to sell what was left of his property, and he bought tickets for himself, his wife, and his four daughters on a ship to take them to Europe. From there, they would move to Jerusalem.

Right before the ship was to set sail, Spafford found out that one of the sales of his property had fallen through. So he sent his wife and his daughters on ahead, while he went back to take care of the sale of his property. He would take the next ship and join them in Europe.

A few days later, Horatio Spafford received a telegram. It was signed by his wife. And there were only two words on it. “Saved alone”.

The ship that Horatio Spafford’s family was on was struck by another ship. It sank quickly. Spafford’s wife made it. But his four little girls did not. They lost their lives when the ship went down.

Spafford soon sailed across the Atlantic to join his grieving wife in Europe. While he was halfway across the Atlantic, the captain called him to the bridge. He pointed out the exact location that his daughters lost their lives, as they sailed past it.

It was then that Spafford wrote the words to the song- It is well:



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.

There is one thing that is certain about life
And that is life is uncertain.
.....................................................................




This story has touched me in so many ways, that I cannot explain. How did he do it? How could he have written out a song saying IT IS WELL.. even when it obviously wasnt? Can I do it?

Can I say it is well, and mean it when everything seems to be going hay wire? where it seems like it is only me in this world? I think we should all ask ourselves that question... I wont lie.. it will be very difficult for me to.


I have learnt from Spafford and many others that no matter what we feel, we need to trust in God and know that he is holding us strong. He loves us so much that he would not want to see us suffer. He sent his only son to die for us.... If he did not love us, he would never have done what he did. Great is God's mercy towards us.


Because we know he loves us, we can say, it is well...... and say it with a smile!!!



Do you have a story to share? have you said it is well lately ( without even seeing that it was well?- but God suprised you and made it really well?.... lets hear it.. people need to be encouraged by you.. share your story... REACH OUT!!!

email me @: bimbyladsblog@yahoo.co.uk