I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] – John 16:33, AMP

I’ll be honest. I’ve never experienced real tragedy in my life. Sure, I’ve had some tough times, and I’ve lost some loved ones. But, I can’t say that any of those experiences rise to the level of “tragedy.”

Real tragedy, however, has stricken many, just like it did the late Horatio Spafford. Born in 1828, Horatio grew up to be a very successful, wealthy attorney in Chicago. Life was good until a series of family tragedies began in 1870. First, their only son died at the age of four from pneumonia. Then, Spafford lost most of his real estate investments in Octboer 1871 due to the Great Fire of Chicago. Next, as Wikipedia reports:

Two years later, in 1873, Spafford decided his family should take a holiday somewhere in Europe, and chose England knowing that his friend D. L. Moody would be preaching there in the fall. He was delayed because of business, so he sent his family ahead: his wife and their four children, daughters eleven-year-old Anna “Annie”, nine-year-old Margaret Lee, five-year-old Elizabeth “Bessie”, and two-year-old Tanetta.

On November 22, 1873, while crossing the Atlantic on the steamship Ville du Havre, their ship was struck by an iron sailing vessel and 226 people lost their lives, including all four of Spafford’s daughters. Anna Spafford survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to Spafford beginning “Saved alone.” Spafford then sailed to England, going over the location of his daughters’ deaths. According to Bertha Spafford Vester, a daughter born after the tragedy, Spafford wrote “It Is Well with My Soul” on this journey. *

Later, composer Philip Bliss set Spafford’s lyrics to music, and the hymn It Is Well With My Soul has encouraged millions in the 140 years since its penning.

Although the entire hymn brings comfort to the trouble-stricken soul, the most powerful encouragement in the lyrics (in my opinion) is found in these words:

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.

In the midst of tragedy and trial, we can rest in the truth that God Himself regards our helpless estate. As both betrayed Creator and sacrificial Savior, He has suffered betrayal, loss, loneliness, and sorrow more intensely than any human has ever or will ever. As a result, He understands our pain better than anyone can, and He can bear it with us like no one else can.

No matter what comes our way, our goal and our privilege is to keep our eyes focused on the One who shed His blood on the cross both to rescue us from the penalty of sin and to empower us to endure the struggles of life. Your answer to the question, “Is it well with your soul today?” is completely dependent on how successful you are in keeping your eyes on Christ.

So, how well is it with your soul today?

* SOURCE: Wikipedia.org

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