It Is Well

Life can change in an instant! All hopes, dreams, and plans gone. How does one find peace in the midst of a storm?

In 1871, Horatio Spafford, a successful attorney and real estate investor, lost a fortune during the Great Fire of Chicago. Two years later, the family planned a trip to England but Spafford had some last minute business that required his immediate attention so his wife and four daughters went ahead. He soon received word that the ship was involved in a collision and sank while crossing the Atlantic Ocean. All four of his daughters lost their lives, only his wife survived this terrible tragedy. Once in England, Anna sent a telegram to Spafford saying, “Saved alone. What shall I do?”

Immediately, Spafford set sail for England. Aware of the great tragedy, the captain of the ship kindly showed Spafford the spot where the shipwreck occurred. As Spafford thought of his daughters, his heart was filled with words of comfort and hope.
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.

Pastor Weiss, a fellow survivor of the shipwreck, remembered Anna saying, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand why.” In life, there will always be storms to face and sometimes there will be great tragedies. Our loving Father is always near and with faith we can cling tight to Him with the assurance that one day we will understand why.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV).