Perception

Florence Chadwick was a swimmer and she was pulled into the boat after giving up.  Because there was so much fog, she could not see how much further she had to go.  She was exhausted and decided to give up.  Once on land, when she was told that she only had half a mile to go before the shore, she said: 

"All I could see was the fog, if I could have seen the shore, I think I could have made it."  Florence Chadwick

Our Youth Pastor, John Riley spoke on this last Sunday morning and it really touched my heart!  Isn't this how so many of us live our lives?  We only live for the moment.  We can't see past the one thing (our fog) that is so consuing.  Every decision is based on the hear and now.  Long term thinking, or long term waiting is not what we practice.  If we believe in a Sovereign God, why do we limit ourselves?

We tend to only focus on the fog.  Think about that.  When there is heavy fog, we can only see right in front of ourselves.  We can't see past the fog.  Even in light foggy mornings, we only see the fog, we don't see the sun that is looming in the distance.  We only see the one thing that is right in front of us, the fog.  When we face our "fog" what do we, we give up, because it is too heavy! It is the only thing we can see, we know that the sun is out there, just waiting to break through, but we can't see it.

Our "fogs" can be different for each of us.  Sometimes it's heavy, death, divorce, illness, unemployment.  Sometimes it seems trivial, or what others may see as trivial, to us it may be overwhelmed with housework, spouses, children, jobs, basically life issues,  BUT, in our fog it is real to us.  It is overwhelming, stressful and scary.  We can't understand why we are in this fog.  We think we will never be able to see the other side, so it seems easier to give up.  Just give in and let life pass us by, because, really what's the point of all this?  And yet, we find out it's just a little bit further to get to the shore!

So, what to do when in our fog?  I believe the first step is to get to the realization point that we are giving up.  Sometimes, that is the most critical point.  Realization.  Take the time to acknowledge that all you see is fog.  Whether it is heavy or light, it is fog.   And we are in it!

After realizing you are in a fog, accept it.  Accept that you are in the fog, you don't know how thick it is going to be, but you are gonna keep pressing through until the fog gets lighter and lighter.  It may be within minutes, or days, weeks, months or even years, but it will get lighter.

And then, let go and let God.  I know that is cliche, but really, it is what it is.  It truly is our only Hope!  We have to give our fog to the One who can walk us through it, every little step.  Inch by inch.   We have to get to the point of saying, "God, only you know what I need, and what is best..  Give me Your ears to hear and Your eyes to see!  May my will be Your will so that You are glorified in all things.  Amen."

Our lives here on earth are only a small fraction of our lives spent in eternity with the One who loves us.  Let's step into the fog when it rolls in and know that God is in the fog!

                   Photo by The Mighty Neptune

Blessings to you!

Terri

"Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!  Many are they who rise up against me.  Many are they who say to me, "There is not help for him in God."  But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.  I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill.  I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God!  For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;  You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.  Salvation belongs to the Lord.  Your blessing is upon Your people."  Psalm 3:1-8