You must be thinking that to write a hymn with the title “Sou Feliz”, the author must have been a rich man and was going through a wonderful time with everything going right in his life, but this phrase: “…if pain a stronger to suffer…I’m happy with Jesus”, shows something totally different. Here's the true story: Horatio Gates Spafford married a young woman named Anna Tuben Larssen.
In 1870, Horatio and Anna Spafford already had a son (named Horatio) and 3 daughters (named Annie, Maggie and Bessie), later they would have another daughter called Tanetta. In the same year, 1870, his son, just 4 years old, died as a result of a very strong fever and the Spafford family suffered its first impact.
On October 9, 1871, one of the biggest fires in US history occurred. This fire killed around 250 people and left almost 90,000 people homeless. Horatio suffered a huge financial loss because of the fire that destroyed about a third of the city, yet he and his wife worked intensely for 2 years helping the victims to restructure their lives. Horatio was a friend of the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody, who also lived in Chicago in 1873 Horatio and his wife decided to go to Europe, where they would meet Dwight L. Moody at one of his evangelistic crusades. They also planned to visit continental Europe. The whole family traveled to New York to catch the ship. But a last-minute commitment prevented him from traveling. So he sent his wife and 4 daughters ahead, on the ship SS Ville Du Havre. He would find them as soon as he could. Then, at the end of November 1873, the ship left for Europe with Anna, the couple's 4 daughters and approximately 310 other passengers. And Horatio returned to Chicago. Then a tragedy happens. In the early hours of November 22, 1873 in the North Atlantic, the ship that Horatio's family was on collided with another English ship and sank in just 12 minutes. 226 people died in this sinking, including Horatio's 4 daughters. Only 90 people survived, including Anna Spafford. As soon as she reached a safe place, after being rescued,
Anna sent a note, on December 1, 1873, to her husband with a sad message: “Saved, but alone”.
Immediately Horatio took a ship and went to meet his wife. At one point during his trip, Spafford was told he was passing near the place where his daughters had died in the accident, and he felt deeply moved. He then returned to his cabin and began to write: “If the sweetest peace you give me to enjoy/ if the strongest pain I suffer/ oh whatever it is, you let me know/ how happy I always am with Jesus.”
This hymn was written in a moment of great pain, but at the same time in a moment when he could feel the comfort of peace that is above all human understanding, that only Christ can give.
Just as Horatio found comfort in his faith in Jesus Christ, we can seek to strengthen our spirituality through prayer, meditation, and study of the Scriptures. Even in the midst of difficulties, we can find reasons to be grateful. Recognizing the blessings and gifts we have received in our lives can help us maintain a positive outlook. Horatio and his wife faced devastating losses and managed to move forward, we can learn to be resilient in the face of challenges. This involves accepting difficulties, adapting to changes and finding the strength to continue moving forward. Just as Horatio and his wife dedicated time and effort to help victims of the Chicago fire, we can look for ways to support and encourage those around us who are struggling. Having a support network of friends, family and colleagues can be essential in facing life's challenges. Seeking emotional support and sharing experiences with other people can help us deal better with adversity.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives it. Do not be troubled your heart, do not be afraid." (John 14.27)
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