When Life is Foggy

The fog had been lingering over the valley for days…and days…and days.

We woke up and fell asleep to the same shade of gray.

The first couple of days I fully embraced the mystery of it. It felt romantic and maybe even a little bit dangerous. You didn’t know what was just beyond that hill or around that corner.

And then, we found out that we were experiencing something known as an “inversion”. Along the coastline and up into the mountains they were enjoying beautiful sunny days. But here, in the valley, the fog hung over us and wrapped around us like a thick blanket. And not a warm one!

When I heard about the glorious sunshine others were experiencing, the fog no longer felt mysterious and romantic.

It just felt oppressive. Why should “they” be getting sunshine when I could barely see 10 feet in front of me?

It got so that I was no longer certain if my mood reflected the weather or if the weather reflected my mood.

I began to wonder if the fog would ever leave. When would I get to feel the warmth of the sun on my face?

Should I find a way out of it? Get in my car and drive to wherever the weatherman reported a sunshine sighting?

But, my life was here in this fog.

And perhaps the fog was here for a reason.

How often do the circumstances of my life leave me longing to see what is around that corner or over that hill and yet being completely hemmed in by the clouds?

How many times has my life felt foggy?

I know in my head that there is sunshine just beyond it and yet, in my heart, all I feel is the awareness of my inability to get out of this.

I like to control things. I want to know what’s ahead of me and I don’t do well with change. In my relationship with God this has been and continues to be one of my biggest struggles.

But, in life there is great mystery. There are times when we are oppressed. There are times when we don’t get the answers we are longing for. There are times when we wonder if we will ever see clear skies again.

Is it enough for me to know that while I am in the fog, God is in control? Would I still trust Him even if I didn’t know that there was sunshine elsewhere? Can I stay with Him here, in the fog?

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 25:3

I’d like to get to the point in my faith where I’m not always looking for the easiest way out of the “fog” and into the “sunshine”. My past experiences have actually shown me that it is in the darkness when I feel the closest to the Lord. I call out to Him out of desperation and He meets me in that moment. He offers me peace and comfort. I see myself sitting with Him in a field and all around us is fog but there…in that little space…just me and my God…there is sunshine.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Yesterday, the fog lifted. Granted, we traded it for rain. But, there have also been pockets of sunshine!

And with them, comes the reminder that solid faith, trusting faith, doesn’t shift according to the weather. It may be challenged by the storms of sorrow or send us soaring among the clouds of happiness. But if we believe that the Lord is sovereign over it all, we have the assurance of His never-failing love. Love which can break through any “weather pattern”.

Even fog.

Thank you so much for joining me today at the Fence,

Find this story and more in our book ‘Life in Season‘ in stores now!