It is Well With My Soul

The author of this song, who lost his only son and most of his financial holdings during the Chicago fires of the 1870s, was held by business from boarding a ship with his wife and 4 daughters. He was to meet them in England as soon as he finished his business dealings, but their ship was struck and sank in the Atlantic. He received a wire from his wife, "Saved Alone." As he crossed the Atlantic over his daughters' watery grave, he penned the words, "When sorrows as sea billows roll...."

I have several friends right now who are in fear of losing their sons or daughters. Some of them know the Prince of Peace, the Peace that Passes Understanding. Some of them do not. Watching them fight their children's illnesses, watching from this distance, I can see literally, the words "they mourn as those who have hope" vs. those who mourn with no hope. I want so badly to communicate to these mothers and fathers what makes us say, "It is well with my soul."

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, 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.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
(repeat chorus)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(repeat chorus)

And Lord, haste the day when my 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.
(end chorus)