I live outside a major city, so driving an hour plus to appointments is not unusual. And occasionally our area is hit with fog … dense, thick fog.
Such was the case yesterday, as I made my way into town. I could see the car in front of me only because their flashers were on. Beyond that one car, nothing but fog. We crept along not knowing what was right in front of us. A pile-up? I wouldn’t know until I was right in the middle of it. A green light? Red light? Who knew .. until I was right under it.
I was unaware that I could hold my breath for an hour, but with the right conditions it is possible. It was a tense, anxiety-filled drive.
Then God reminded me of Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
God is so incredibly gracious to give me a lamp, a light for my feet and path. But oh how my heart wants a lamp that lights up more than my feet .. I want a search light that lights up the whole path, preferably for miles, months, years please. However, that’s not the promise.
He shows me the next step so that I don’t run ahead, that’s how I learn to walk in faith and trust. I don’t know what’s ahead, but He does. And He is good.
So it was with my drive yesterday .. I had no idea what was ahead. I had no choice but to trust the One who could see through the fog and knew exactly where my path would lead. He sees everything.
… for he views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens. ~ Job 28:24
Faith is easy .. until you can’t see! Trust is easy when the road ahead looks peaceful as far as the eye can see. Actually faith is not even faith until we can’t see.
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. ~ Hebrews 11:1
Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but simply taking God at His word. ~
Christmas Evans
Fear derails faith.
The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of faith is the end of anxiety. ~ George Mueller
When I don’t know what’s ahead, I can choose fear or I can lean on His Promises and remember who He is.
He’s good
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.~ Psalm 100:5
He’s with me
I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
~ Psalm 16:8
He’s sovereign and in control of everything
God is sovereign, directing all things freely according to his royal counsel.
~ Ephesians 1:11
He’ll give me the necessary strength to face any difficulties ahead
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak
~ Isaiah 40:29
I discover that light for only the next step is truly a gift. We only need the courage and strength for the next step. He’s not asking us to have courage for what’s around the bend, until our feet are standing in that place. For now, baby steps with a strong Father.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
~ Psalm 46:1
Ever-present. He’s here now; He’ll be there then. He doesn’t expect us to have strength for all our wild imaginings, only right now, right here.
When fog creeps in, grace limits our vision and requires our hearts to trust moment by moment. Faith is born in the fog, not the sunshine.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10
He doesn’t say don’t fear because everything will be smooth sailing ahead. Nor does He say, He’ll let us see everything that’s coming, lift the fog, and we’ll never be surprised.
He says His Presence will be the antidote for fear, His strength, His help, His hand to guide.
I made it to my destination, grateful for the fog that limited my vision and caused me to see more clearly the goodness of my Father. I have no idea what the future holds but He can be trusted to light my next step, and the next, and the next.
Onward through the fog.
