5 Things Every Christian Should Know about the Hymn “It Is Well”
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“It is well with my soul.” A bold declaration for any of us to make, but these words were penned by a faith-filled man who had endured life’s most debilitating tragedies. This hymn has endured for generations because it speaks to the universal human experience of grief, loss, uncertainty, and suffering.
Horatio Spafford, the writer of this iconic hymn, was a successful Chicago businessman in the late 1800s. In 1871, he lost a fortune in the Great Chicago Fire. In 1873, his young son died. Two difficult tragedies that would shake anyone to their core, but there was more to come.
Together, let’s explore the history of this hymn, the life of its author, and four things every Christian should keep in mind as they sing this beloved hymn.
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1. “It Is Well” Was Written by Horatio Spafford
Horatio Spafford was a 19th century Chicago businessman, lawyer, and devout Christian. Spafford was involved in ministry as a Presbyterian church elder. He also actively supported the work of evangelist D.L. Moody.
Spafford married his wife, Anna, in 1861. Over the course of their life, they had seven children. They lost their son at the age of four to scarlet fever.
A few years later his family planned a European vacation. Mr. Spafford was delayed in joining his family on the trip due to business, so his wife and four daughters left ahead of him. Sadly, while crossing the Atlantic, the ship that carried the mother and daughters sank due to a collision. Only Mrs. Spafford survived, sending a telegram to her husband which said, “Saved alone. What shall I do?”
Spafford sailed to meet his wife, and as he passed the area of the ocean where his daughters died, he began writing the words we now know as the hymn “It Is Well.”
After this loss, the couple went on to have two more biological children and adopted a Jewish teenager after living in Jerusalem.
Spafford’s life included significant financial and personal difficulties. The hymn emerged from a life that had experienced tremendous hardship. His words were a bold declaration of faith, believing his soul could find contentment even in the most tragic of circumstances.
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2. “It Is Well” Is Not a Denial of Grief
“It is well” is not a declaration that Christians should not grieve. The Bible frequently shows God’s people mourning. Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35), the Psalms are full of expressions of grief, lament, and loss. Even Job, who lost everything, loudly laments his great suffering.
Christianity does not make us immune to grief and suffering. But God offers us hope that extends past our current circumstances, a peace that surpasses understanding, and the promise of Heaven. We grieve with hope. God’s Spirit comforts us as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
This timeless hymn holds sorrow and faith together. We can cling to Jesus, grab onto his peace, even when the unimaginable happens. While we won’t understand the why of our losses, we can hold onto the Creator of all things through it all.
3. The Hymn’s Central Declaration Is about the Soul
This hymn invites us to take our eyes off our circumstances and to focus on our spiritual condition. Believers can honestly say that our circumstances are painful, but God is still good. Our hearts can be grieving, but we can still know God’s supernatural peace. We may not understand what God is doing, but we can still trust Him.
Romans 8:38-39 tells us, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This hymn is a bold reminder that we are loved and secure even when life is difficult. Philippians 4:7 reminds us, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
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4. “Whatever My Lot” Is a Powerful Picture of Christian Contentment
The hymn boldly declares a willingness to trust God regardless of circumstances. Philippians 4:11-13 teaches, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Biblical contentment isn’t remaining passive or refusing to seek help. Christians are called to lean on each other as the body of Christ. We can acknowledge our pain, process it, and find healing through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we face modern struggles such as financial issues, family difficulties, our own grief, anxiety, or unanswered prayers, we can declare, "Whatever my lot, it is well with my soul.”
5. The Hymn Reminds Us That Peace Doesn’t Require Understanding
Suffering stirs up difficult questions. It’s impossible to understand why we endure certain losses. Scripture does not promise that we will always understand God’s plan and purposes.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Humans have limited perspective. We cannot rely entirely on our own understanding.
Isaiah 55:8-9 shares, “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We have to trust that God’s ways are higher than ours. Christian faith means trusting God’s character when we cannot understand his plan.
A Peace Deeper Than Circumstances
“It Is Well” is not a declaration that tragedy does not matter; it's a declaration that Christ remains faithful to us even when tragedy comes our way. Spafford’s story reminds believers that Christian hope is not dependent on an easy life. As we sing these timeless words, we are invited to place our hope in the One who remains constant and sustains our souls.
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
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