The fog

The day is foggy. I can't see very far in the distance ahead of me. I'm not talking about a literal fog that the weather creates, I'm talking about a fog that life creates. It's a fog in our mind that clouds our judgement and our ability to think clearly. It's a strange and risky place to be, this fog. But today I'm in it. I have been for the last few days really. I've never had the fog so thick and last so long as it has these last few days. The fog, as heavy as it is, has caused me to rethink my life. To re look at areas of my life that have changed.

Work... huge changes there. Much more demands and expectations than ever before. Doing more with less is still the Motto. Wonder if I can hang in there? Do I have the capability to stay the course. I want to... but can I? I done this for years so I know I can, yet I'm struggling. It's my work, it's what I love to do, yet I'm struggling.

Home... Not so much relationship issues as it is that I'm concerned about the future of my kids and their families. Seems that everyone I know is barely surviving, making it pay check to pay check and struggling to survive. Family and friends have it so rough lately and this weighs heavily on my heart when I realize that my family depends so much on me for financial help and strength. Dad's the Rock in this family and right now Dad's concerned about his career and his state of mind.

Spiritual Walk... I'm weak right now. Still seeking a church to call home since I've moved. Prayer time is less and less. Devotion and bible study has fallen away to other things. I'm so blessed in so many ways but this fog blinds me from seeing that sometimes. Like I said... not a good place to be, this fog.

The good news... This fog is what it is... a temporary thing. Fog doesn't last forever and when the sun finally shines the fog burns away. This afternoon I can finally see the fog burning away. Thanks to the help and council of my Pastor this weekend to help me get back to where I need to be in my relationship with Christ. Thanks to the help and support of my Boss as I shared with him what I was going through while at work. And thanks to my Doctor as we went through many tests and such to see what might be going on in my body. Can I say the fog has lifted? Not yet. But I see glimpses of the sun ahead.

It's a scary place to be trapped in the fog of our life and not be able to see what to do next. But this I've learned, When you run away from the SUN, or should I say Son (Jesus), I can tell you this, you're headed for the fog in your life. I'm a firm believer that if your Spiritual life is not right, then the rest of your life isn't either. I think that sometimes we get confused and think that if our Spiritual life is right then our life is always right too. That's not always true either. But this I know. If your Spiritual life is right, then when you face trials, through Christ you will be able to work through it and come out of it stronger in your faith and relationship than you were when you went into the trial. If your Spiritual life is not right, then as you go through the trials and set backs, you begin to blame God for your circumstances and wonder where He is now? These feelings push you farther and farther away from God, because now I'm focused on me and my circumstances, instead of loving and living my life for Jesus. Now here comes the fog.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. My work, my family and friends, all depend on my relationship with my Lord. I'm just so thankful that I see this so clearly today, I'm thankful that I can see the fog lifting even as the day passes. I'm thankful for a restored relationship with Christ this weekend. How much better I feel today. Thank you Lord Jesus.

Are you in a fog today. Is it sunny outdoors yet in your head things are foggy and unclear. Then seek Jesus. Do nothing else until you first seek to mend this part of your life. God's waiting for your return with open arms. Don't let your guilt, your shame, or your self pride, stop you from returning back home to your Heavenly Father. May God bless you in your journey out of the fog.

Read the Parable of the Lost Son, Luke, 15:11-24 Know that when we finally come to our senses, God is waiting and watching for our return. When we come back He runs to meet us.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Persist in Prayer

Have you ever pestered someone long enough that they finally gave you what you wanted just to shut you up? My grand daughter does it to me all the time. She'll have her mind made up about something and she won't let up until I finally give in and give her what she wants. It drives me nuts... but hey, it's works. Sometimes the battle's just not worth the fight and unless it's worth standing my ground on... I'll usually give in (Yes, I'm a Grandpa!)

In Luke 18:1-8, There's an example of a woman that constantly went to an unjust judge asking for protection from her opponent. She bothered this judge so much with repeated pressure that he finally said to himself, "I better give her what she wants or she'll wear me out!" Again, reminds me of my grand daughter.

This passage of scripture gives all of us great hope. If an unjust judge gave into this woman's pressure because of her constant efforts, well how much more would a just God react to the requests and prayers from those he loves? Much more of course! So it's not that we should pester God with our prayer requests over and over thinking we'll wear him out and he'll finally give in to us. But instead know that God loves you and will answer you when it's right for you. Maybe He's teaching you about faith or patience or hope. But know this... God hears you and loves you and will answer you in His time for His purpose and for your benefit.

Stay the course... pray continually while trusting in God to answer. We should always pray and never lose heart.