The fog is so thick. I can't see my hand in front of my face. I can't see where my feet are going, there is nothing to keep me from tripping...Oh God, You promised to never leave us or forsake us, but where are You now?
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28 NLT)
But Lord, I don't know where You are! I can't see anything in this fog! How can I come when...
"Be still, and know that I am God!" (Ps 46:10a NLT)
Be still...Okay, I'll try...
"Come to me..." (Matt 11:28a NLT)
Maybe if I follow Your voice, I will find You. Maybe then I'll find my way out of this fog. Maybe...
"Come to me..." (Matt 11:28a NLT)
I must keep moving...I must keep making my way towards that voice...Hey! There's a hand! God, is that You?
"For I hold you by your right hand--I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you.'" (Is. 41:13 NLT)
Okay. Oh, Lord, Your hand, full of power and might. Thank You, thank You, thank You!
"Come, follow me..." (Matt. 4:19 NLT)
But wait. It's still foggy...I thought that You were the Light of the world. I thought that once I got to You the fog would lift, that I would be able to see my way out, that this storm would cease...I thought...
"Blessed are those who believe without seeing..." (John 20:29 NLT)
You mean, I'm supposed to continue to stumble along in this fog? Where's the abundant, fog-free life you promised? Where is the...
"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b NLT)
But...but...I'm afraid I'll stumble, I don't want to trip and fall...
"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 NLT).
But...but...I can't see in this fog! What if I go the wrong way? What if...
"[I] will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber." (Ps. 121:3 NLT)
So, I'm just supposed to hold your hand and let You guide me through this fog?
"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matt. 11:29 NLT)
But if I can't see, how can You?
I am you light and your salvation--so why should you be afraid? (Paraphrased from Ps. 27:1a NLT)
Okay Lord. There doesn't seem to be any choice but to flounder in this fog, so I choose to take Your hand and let You lead me through.
Let all that you are wait quietly before God, for your hope is in Me. I alone am your rock and your salvation, your fortress where you will not be shaken. Your victory and honor come from Me alone. I am your refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach you. O my daughter, trust in Me at all times. Pour out your heart to me, for I am your refuge. (Paraphrased from Ps. 62:5-8 NLT)
Hey! This isn't so bad. You truly aren't letting my feet slip...And since You see the end from the beginning, the fog of my circumstances doesn't bother you in the least...Wow. So I've always thought that the solution to finding peace was for the fog to lift, yet all this time Your peace is nothing but my choice. I can have it even in the fog of my circumstances...Never have I felt so much peace...and joy...and love...and...
Wait! Isn't that what Peter experienced in the storm? Didn't he walk on top of the waves? Didn't the storm continue on? Yet amidst the storm, he found his peace in You (see Matt. 14:22-33). That's what I'm doing right now, isn't it, Lord? I'm walking through the fog of my circumstances, I'm walking blindly in peace...Wow!
But Wait...The fog is lifting a little...I'm starting to be able to see...Oh God, it's so beautiful...
"Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over." (Mark 5:34 NLT)
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two, Author -- "Aboard God's Train -- A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer", Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with Answers2Prayer Ministries. Follow Lyn on Twitter @lynchaffart.
