The Story Behind 'It Is Well With My Soul'

Main message: Horatio Spafford endured devastating personal losses—death of his son, financial ruin, and the drowning of his four daughters—yet out of that suffering he wrote the hymn "It Is Well," expressing enduring faith and peace.

Key points:

• Spafford had five children: one son and four daughters.
• His son died of scarlet fever.
• The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed his business and finances.
• He sent his wife and four daughters to England; the ship sank and his daughters drowned.
• His wife telegraphed him two words: "Saved alone."
• Though not a songwriter, Spafford wrote poems and composed the hymn "It Is Well" after these tragedies.

Scriptures mentioned: none