THE STORY BEHIND THE HYMN "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL"
Few hymns have emerged from deeper sorrow than It Is Well With My Soul. Its author, Horatio Gates Spafford, was a successful lawyer and devoted Christian from Chicago in the 19th century. In the early 1870s, his family experienced a series of heartbreaking tragedies. After losing his young son to illness, Spafford suffered severe financial losses in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. In 1873, hoping for a season of rest, he sent his wife, Anna, and their four daughters ahead of him on a voyage to England. During the journey, their ship, the SS Ville du Havre, collided with another vessel in the Atlantic Ocean and sank. Anna survived, but all four daughters lost their lives. She later sent her husband a telegram containing just two unforgettable words: "Saved alone."
As Spafford sailed to England to meet his grieving wife, the captain informed him when they reached the area where his daughters were believed to have perished. In that moment of overwhelming grief, Spafford penned the words that would become one of Christianity's greatest hymns:
"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"
Rather than expressing despair, the hymn proclaims unwavering trust in God's sovereignty and the hope found in Christ. Its powerful refrain, "It is well with my soul," has brought comfort to millions of believers facing grief, loss, illness, and uncertainty for more than 150 years. The hymn's music was later composed by Philip Paul Bliss, whose moving melody helped carry Spafford's message of enduring faith to churches around the world. Today, "It Is Well With My Soul" remains a timeless reminder that even in life's darkest moments, faith in God can bring lasting peace.
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LEARNING CONTENTMENT
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”
—1 Timothy 6:6
The Apostle Paul says to be content, be satisfied with the necessities of life. Paul is not condemning material possessions if God gives them to us, but the accumulation of these things should not be the overwhelming passion of our life. Mark 8:36, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” What Scripture condemns is a self-indulgent desire for money that comes from a heart of discontentment. This is a person who is not satisfied with the Lord’s provision. The supreme goal of every believer must be a passion to glorify God and not chase after riches. “For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven” (Prov. 23:5). “Therefore, do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:31).
In other words, humbly accept what God provides and avoid a life of covetousness. To do this you need to distinguish between your personal wants and the basic needs of life. Remember, God owns everything, we are only stewards, and all things must be used for God’s glory. Cultivate a thankful heart. This is not easy, even Paul had to learn to be content. How did he do it? “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). Discontentment is overcome by a life of rejoicing. You see, when you know what you really deserve because of your sins, yet because of the grace of God in Christ you received everlasting life, you can be a rejoicing person. Recognize God is sovereign over every event in life, and that nothing happens by chance. God has a purpose for everything He sends into our life, even the unpleasant things. Spend time in God’s Word because this is the way the Holy Spirit instructs you in a life of contentment. The Apostle Paul learned to be content when he had little and plenty because he knew, through Scripture, that both conditions were the providential working of God. Have you had unpleasant things happen in your life? Learn to be content by meditating upon our sovereign God who saved you, loves you, and does all things for His glory and your eternal good.
Beloved, if we are to glorify the Lord through a life of contentment then we must be a people who rejoice in the Lord always, we must know the Word of God, we must meditate on Christ’s person and work, and we must faithfully come before the Lord in thankful prayer. When we are diligent to do these things then we will learn, by God’s sanctifying grace, to be content in every situation whether hungry or full, sick or healthy, rich or poor, because we know the Lord is the Giver and Sustainer of both. We can learn that having food and clothing with these we shall be content.
Tuesday Encouragement: August 4, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
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