You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace because he trusts in you.
–Isaiah 26:3
Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago with a lovely family — a wife, Anna, and five children.
But his life was filled with heartache and pain. He and his wife lost their only son to pneumonia in 1871. Then, in November of 1873, while Spafford’s wife and four daughters were traveling by ocean liner from the U.S. to Europe, the ship they were on collided with another ship. Horatio and Anna Spafford’s four daughters were among the 226 people who died as a result of that shipwreck. Only Anna survived.
Mr. Spafford wrote a hymn while traveling to get to his wife so they could mourn their loss together and begin picking up the pieces of their shattered lives. The hymn he wrote is “It Is Well With My Soul.”
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll,
Whatever my lot,
Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
If Mr. Spafford was able to find peace by trusting in God during a time of horrendous grief and pain, you and I can, too. When facing unexpected tragedy or hopeless situations, remember that God’s perfect peace is always there.
All you have to do is ask for it.
Prayer
Heavenly Lord, Please give me the peace that passes all understanding. When I face difficulties and tragedies, I ask for Your peace to keep my heart and my mind fixed on You and on Christ Jesus. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection
When did I last face a difficult tragedy or situation? How has the peace of God helped me through these times?