And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NASB
The fog was so thick I could barely see the car ahead of me. I enjoy the mystery of fog as long as I am not driving in it. When I am unsure as to my next stop or turn, I get a little anxious and concerned. We are taught as young drivers to keep our eyes on the red lights of the car in front of us, but if the fog is too thick, pull over and wait for the fog to lift. Good advice. Wait.
Now and then I find myself in a fog of sorts when my mind becomes clouded with the negative thoughts and images that plague each of us at one time or another. You know what I mean; thoughts of doubting my usefulness, or worthiness, wondering if I will ever get it right, whatever it happens to be at the time. It could be a job situation, a relationship challenge, or a personality clash brewing in my small group that requires problem solving finesse.
Whatever the situation may be, God gently reminds me to stop trying to lift the fog on my own and let Him help me lift it away. He very gently says, “Come my child, sit with Me awhile and we will figure this out together.” As the fog lifts and the answers come, the peacefulness of being in His presence overrides the previous cloudy confusion and brings me to a place of clarity. Time spent in prayer with the One who knows the answers is time well spent. He’s lifted the fog, which was clouding my perspective, and replaced uncertainty with discernment. He has replaced self-doubt with self-worth in knowing He is molding me into who He wants me to be. He lets me know there is nothing He and I cannot handle together so long as I stop trying to get through the fog on my own and trust Him to clear it away.
I am learning, albeit slowly, to wait on God. “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). When we fail to wait on God’s direction and instruction for our next stop or turn, we are often getting ahead of God’s plan and purpose in that moment. Be still and know that I am God is the most famous part of this scripture reference, but we don’t often hear the remainder of the verse. Why does God want us to be still? I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Oh, You mean You would like for me to hold my horses so You can let me know what direction You want me to go and so You will shine through my fog?
He wants us to wait on Him to get the plan fully into motion before jumping in and messing it all up. His plan and purpose will always be best and show Him for who He is: The Almighty, everlasting Creator and heavenly Father who wants only what’s best for us. Just as we need to keep our eyes on the red lights of the car in front of us during a foggy drive, God wants us to keep our eyes focused on Him until the fog clears in our heads and we have a better perspective on what His plan is and what direction He wants us to head next.
My prayer for you is when you find yourself in a foggy, doubting yourself situation, that you will take the time to curl up on your heavenly Fathers’ lap and ask Him to clear away the fog. Then bask in His presence and the peacefulness that follows. He loves you so much and wants only for you to trust Him for guidance when the road gets foggy and uncertain. Confusion and uncertainty are from the one who makes us doubt who we are in Christ. Clarity is from our Father who loves us beyond compare. We have incredible peace when we place our trust in the Peace Giver.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for lifting the fog of life to help us see more clearly the path You have us on. Please help us to trust You during the times we have trouble seeing the road ahead. Please teach us to wait on You so You will be exalted in heaven and earth. In Jesus’ matchless name, amen.
So, what about you? Ever find yourself in a foggy situation where you are in need of clearer direction? What do you do? What scripture comes to mind that helps clear away the fog? Post a comment, lets chat about it.
In His embrace,
Toni



