Developing a Different Perspective to Help You Win at Life • Final Part

“It is however, the continuing that is the difficult thing to do – but like a baby learning to crawl then walk, you must keep getting up and keep trying until you win…” — Rick Cox

In Part 7, I made the statement, “All Will be Well.” This is because I believe that to be true. But that also leads me to someone that also believed that to be true after suffering overwhelming loss in his family and finances. The type of loss that would cause most to hate God and hate life. It could cause bitterness beyond measure leaving one with such depression as to see no reason for moving forward.

This is about Horatio G. Spafford, the man that wrote the song, “It Is Well With My Soul.” He was the happily married father of five children and a strong Christian. A very successful attorney, he had done well in business, but was not a stranger to tears and tragedy. In 1871, their youngest and only son died of scarlet fever and that same year much of their business was lost in the great Chicago fire. Interestingly, after this, the business flourished once again for the next couple years.

Once things got back on track he felt a family vacation would be best so on November 21, 1873, he sent his family on an ocean liner across the Atlantic to Europe. The ocean liner had 313 passengers on board including Mrs. Spafford and her four daughters. Mr. Spafford was to join a few days later.

About four days into the trip the Ville du Harve collided with a powerful, iron-hulled Scottish ship, the Loch Earn. Mrs. Spafford prayed with her girls and waited but it only took twelve minutes and the ship slipped beneath the dark waters of the Atlantic carrying with it 226 of the 313 passengers including the four Spafford children.

A sailor rowing a boat seeing a woman among the wreckage went to her and found Mrs. Spafford. Nine days later, once landed on Cardiff, Wales she wired her husband of what happened stating, “Saved alone, what shall I do?” Mr. Spafford booked the next ship to leave and join his grieving wife. About four days out, the Captain of the boat he was on called him to his cabin and told him they were over the place where the ship had sunk. A devout Christian, it was on this journey and at this time that Horatio Spafford wrote the hymn, “It is Well With My Soul.”

My wife and I have lost one child, but I can’t imagine losing all five. When one of my brothers passed in 2007 from ALS, my father said, “Son, no one should have to bury their own children. It isn’t right.” What my father said was true. I buried one, but to have to bury all of your children or your only child, how hard can that be? This is no different than Job. He lost his business then he lost his family. How terrifyingly horrible?

What type of faith does it take to do what Horatio did? What kind of belief does one have to have to be able to stand as strong as he and believe that all will be well? I am not sure. What I am sure of is I have my walk and he had his. In my walk, what I have faced and am facing is part of my walk through this life and thus I must also have the faith that believes all will be well. And I do. After this Mr. and Mrs. Spafford had three more children but once again one of those children died of pneumonia, yet he stayed the course.

Regardless how harsh things may seem to you, someone always has it worse. What is important is how we respond to that which happens to us for that will determine how our tomorrows turn out. Mr. Spafford did the right thing. He stayed focused on that which does not change and that was his belief that God would make it all well. I stand with him and agree with the words of his song seen below. Enjoy…

When peace like a river, attends my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, You hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul

CHORUS
It is well, it is well
With my soul, with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blessed assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul

CHORUS
It is well, it is well
With my soul, with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul

CHORUS
It is well, it is well
With my soul, with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

Best of LUCK as you
Labor Under Correct Knowledge…

Respectfully,

Rick Cox