It is Well

Phillip Bliss, the writer of the words in the hymn It is Well, lost his fortune in the Chicago fire. He sent his wife and children back to England while he finished up the business details in the States. Days after his family boarded a ship he received a telegram from his wife that said simply, "Survived alone." Bliss learned that there had been a shipwreck in which all of his children had perished. He got on a boat to return to England. His intentions were to reunite with his wife so they could grieve together. Late one evening, while standing on the deck of the ship, the Captain came to Bliss and informed him they were passing over the spot where his children tragically lost their lives. Phillip Bliss then penned this poem, "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 blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul. 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! 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. It is well, it is well, with my soul." Later Horatio Spafford would put music to it and it would become a classic hymn.

I was thinking about this story and the words Bliss used last night. Through the worst tragedies of his life Bliss was able to say "Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, it is well with my soul." Am I able to say that it is well in the darkness of uncertainty? Am I able to say it is well when I am faced with heartache and sorrow? When sorrows are around every corner can I say it is well with my soul? Sadly, but honestly, I can say that is not my first reaction. My first reaction is usually one of complaint, fear, anger or doubt. Even as I type these words I am not able to fully say it is well. It is 5:56 am where I live and I have been awake for two hours already. My brain is racing with thoughts, worry, anxiety. I need to come to a place where it is well with my soul.