It Is Well

 

It Is Well

 

Not long ago I had the privilege of praying for a man who was seriously injured in a car accident. He and his whole family were on vacation when this tragedy happened. Not only were many of his extended family injured, but his wife also died at the accident scene. Unable to attend his wife’s funeral, he was facing several difficult surgeries.

 

When I asked if I could pray, he said yes. Then he looked me in the eye and said: “I am thankful for all that God has done for me even in this loss. It is well with my soul.” Here was a broken man who had every right to be angry at God for allowing this to happen. Instead, with tear filled eyes, he could say it is well with his soul.

 

After our time of prayer, we talked about the tragedy of the man who penned the hymn It Is Well With My Soul. A businessman who in the mid 1800’s lost his son in the Great Chicago fire, his business nearly ruined by economic downturn, and not long after lost four daughters when the ship his wife was on collided with another ship at sea. Instead of anger and cursing God after such a loss, he wrote the lyrics that later became solace and hope for all who walk through the valley of death.

 

Here are the words of a grieving man praising God:

 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know it is well,

 It is well with my soul.

 

“Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and staff protect and comfort me.” Psalms 23