Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Moving Beyond the Fog of Life



The other day I went for a drive - the three of us - just me, myself, and I.

I needed a reprieve.

I hopped in my awesome minivan, picked up a luxurious latte, and headed towards the neighboring city, hoping to see its Christmas lights still aglow atop the downtown stores and buildings in all sorts of glorious colors!

As I headed closer to the scene, all I saw was FOG. My heart sank. FOG? That's it?! I thought for sure I had missed it -- my chance to see the lights just one more time.

For a quick moment, I remembered how my phone alerted me before I left. There was going to be dense fog all evening. I did hesitate to go out, but I really wanted some time alone, so I forged ahead.

I continued through the thick haze with a sufficient amount of discouragement, but I hesitated to give up.  As I was about to cross the bridge into downtown, the spectacular display began. The lights were still up! My heart felt alive!

It's amazing how WEIGHED DOWN my heart felt when all I saw was FOG, and then how quickly my heart SURGED WITH POSITIVITY when I could see beyond it!

And this is the story of life...

FOG hinders us and distracts us daily.
  • Struggles in relationships
  • Lack of motivation
  • Health issues
  • Trials in our homes
  • Social media comparisons
  • Disappointing and disheartening news
  • Downward spirals of thinking
and more...

It, all, causes us to FOCUS on the FOG and FEEL defeated.

BUT if we can FOCUS on what lies BEYOND the fog,
even if it is yet unknown to us, and keep
HOPING and PRAYING and TRUSTING and MOVING
in the right direction. THEN we will experience more of the abundant life that God wishes us to have!

Are you bogged down by the FOG of life? 

Push it aside.
Keep forging ahead.
Have hope in your heart.
Trust in the Lord your God.

Hebrews 12:1-2
...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.