It Is Well With My Soul the Shocking True Storyናሙና

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.

"It Is Well with My Soul" written by Horatio Spafford 

These are the words to the first verse of the famous hymn written by Horatio Spafford, "It Is Well With My Soul." 

In 1871, wealthy Chicago businessman Horatio Spafford had it all. A loving wife, four daughters, the friendship of evangelist Dwight L. Moody, and an extensive property empire. Then it all came crashing down. The great fire of Chicago destroyed most of his wealth and then just two years later the unthinkable happened. 

Read the shocking true story of Horatio Spafford and how he found peace with God, in the book It Is Well with My Soul. Borrow free on Amazon Kindle, details at http://www.australianchristianwriters.com

Losing children and wealth would have been enough to destroy most men, but it inspired Horatio to write the timeless classic "It Is Well With My Soul."  In researching and retelling what Horatio went through, his story reminded me of Job.

Job also had everything, and then it was taken away. These men went through extreme suffering and loss, and yet Horatio was able to say "it is well with my soul" and Job said, "naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

How did they obtain this peace with God and the world in times of immense trials? Only through the Holy Spirit entering their hearts and showering them with transforming peace and strength. And this peace is available to you and me today- to anyone who will call on God and be saved. 

My favorite verse is Romans 10:9, "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." The message of Jesus dying on the cross is that he did it all for us; as another old hymn Rock of Ages says, "nothing in my hands I bring, simply to your cross I cling." 

Grab hold of this promise! Cling to this truth! 

Confess your sins to God and realise your forgiveness accomplished on the cross, and live, truly live! Then you will be able to sing with Horatio and millions more. 

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.