It is Well

I have always loved the hymn It is Well With My Soul written by Horatio Spafford. It was composed after a series of difficulties in his life. He faced incredible financial loss and instability. Shortly after, he sent his family ahead of him in a move, and all four of his daughters died after a ship wreck. He penned this hymn as he passed the place where the ship sank. He and his wife went on to have more children, but they still lost their 4 year old to Scarlet fever. So much tragedy and loss in one family's life.

I have always stood in awe of this story because of the power in the words that were penned. I'm sure it could not have been easy to write the words. Can you imagine the heartache and struggle? And yet, He trusted in a God that was bigger than His circumstances. He was able to say "it is well" because of Jesus. Because of the unending grace that pours out on the life of the believer. 

Bethel Music came out with an updated version a few years ago. Both sets of lyrics have special meaning for me. While it may not have been at the same tragic level as Spafford, we have still experienced heartbreaking loss. We said goodbye to our church and dreams of ministry. Mike lost his job. We were diagnosed with infertility. And it all happened within a matter of months. We waited 3 years to see a positive pregnancy test and then miscarried. So much loss in our short married life...

There have been many dark days when I didn't know if I could say "it is well." And I, of little faith, find myself bracing for more heartbreak and tragedy. After all, it's all we have known for an extended period of time. My weary heart surrenders to the idea that it's all we can know.

And yet the Lord has regarded my helpless estate, and through it all, I can {in faith} say "it is well."

It is Well by Bethel Music

Grander earth has quaked before

Moved by the sound of His voice

Seas that are shaken and stirred

Can be calmed and broken for my regard

Chorus:

Through it all, through it all

My eyes are on You

Through it all, through it all

It is well

Through it all, through it all

My eyes are on You

It is well with me

Far be it from me to not believe

Even when my eyes can't see

And this mountain that's in front of me

Will be thrown into the midst of the sea

Chorus

So let go my soul and trust in Him

The waves and wind still know His name

It is well with my soul

It is well with my soul

It is well with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul