Hartman column: What it takes to be able to say 'it is well with my soul'

Horatio G. Spafford, a Presbyterian from Chicago, was a successful businessman and devout Christian.

After losing his fortune in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and tragically losing his son, he faced further hardship. In 1873, his wife and four daughters set off to England, but their ship sank. Only his wife survived. He penned the hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul,” as he approached the area where it’s believed the ship went down.

Despite those tragedies, he and his wife established the American Colony in Jerusalem, engaging in philanthropic work among Jews, Muslims and Christians. The Colony later transformed into the American Colony Hotel and played a role in the talks between Palestine and Israel that led to the 1983 Oslo Peace Accords.

Psalm 42 is a beautiful portrait of learning to always have peace with God. This psalm helps assure the believer that even in the direst of situations — even like those Horatio G. Spafford faced — we can confidently say, “It is well with my soul.”

The psalm talks about all the hardships and hostilities that come. Nevertheless, the psalmist in Psalm 42:6-11 looks forward with hope. The psalmist begins with the thought about what others might say.

“Where is your God?” is a frequently asked question. It’s one Christ-followers may encounter during bizarre circumstances or world tragedies.

Of course, the answer is, “God is seated on His throne.” God also lives in the hearts of those who know Him. The psalmist begins the psalm by assuring his audience that, like a deer pants for flowing streams, my soul pants for God in all matters.

Next, the psalmist deals with the issue of “the self.” If the believer is going to honestly be able to say, “It is well with my soul,” the believer must place God on the throne of their life. “Why is my soul cast down? Why are you in turmoil within me?” The psalmist chooses not to let the self win. He tells his soul: “Hope in God, and this turmoil will turn to praise.”

Finally, the psalmist references nature and life storms. Notice that the psalmist does not blame God for these events. “My grief is like floods cascading over my head.” Still, he refers to the floods as belonging to God. It appears that the psalmist sees God’s hand in his trials.

When trials sweep over a believer, the believer can choose to take courage, knowing that God has a purpose. The believer can draw close to God, or the believer can push away from God. The choice remains with the believer.

The psalmist closes by choosing God: “By day, God commands His steadfast love over me. At night, God’s song is with me; this is my prayer to the God of my life. I hope in God alone.” He also says: “I shall praise Him again. He is my salvation and my God.” The psalmist chooses God’s sovereignty.

Like Horatio G. Spafford and the psalmists before, we are empowered to choose to live for and trust God in all things. When we make this choice, we can join the ranks and say, “It is well with my soul.”