The other day I was driving to a doctor’s appointment about a half hour away. About 10 minutes into the drive, I instantly hit fog. It looked exactly like the picture above. It was thick and you couldn’t even see headlights until they were 3 seconds away from you. And I felt something really unexpected.
I wasn’t nervous or fearful of the road ahead of me.
It didn’t impact me negatively at all. Which is weird, because I get nervous in bad weather conditions while driving. And when I came to the realization that I wasn’t feeling any negative emotion, and that I was actually full of trust, I continued to ponder and explore those feelings. How was I so trusting of the road and where I was headed even though I couldn’t see a dang thing in front of me? Usually I would be so nervous. This time, I had faith. I felt calm. I felt okay with the situation at hand because I knew that whatever happened, it was all okay. God is on my side, so whatever happens is all for my greater good.
I continued to drive unable to see much in front of me. Eventually, after driving for about 20 minutes through the thick fog, it started to lighten up a bit.
And not even 10 minutes later, there was no fog at all and the sun was breaking through the trees.
That’s when I realized I had been placed right in the middle of a profound parable.
For awhile now, I have felt like I have been in the absolute thickest of fog. Which path is the correct path for me? What is the right choice, and which is the wrong? Why can’t I even see the paths ahead at all? Why aren’t I getting any answers? Not too long ago I couldn’t see even one step ahead of me, the fog was THAT thick. The only choice I decided I had was to just keep taking steps forward into the unknown almost completely blinded, doing the best I can in all areas of my life. Sometimes there were a few steps back because stepping into the unknown is scary and I would want to retract my steps. Or, sometimes I wanted to just sit where I was because I was too depressed to move forward. But despite the few steps back, progress was made. I continued to move forward. I had to have faith that whatever happens, it’s for the best, and soon the fog would lift and I would be able to see more clearly. All in due time.
But, it was scary. It was incredibly frustrating. I was angry a lot. And sometimes I felt so incredibly alone even if I wasn’t physically alone.
I had 2 options: to use this time to deepen my faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel, or wither away. There were days where I didn’t care if I withered away to nothingness. But, I knew I had no choice but to rise; to tackle my trials head on with God on my side. I could not let myself digress. I had an incredible opportunity right in front of me to completely transform and becomes closer to the woman Heavenly Father created me to be.
It was time to transform.
I would also like to note that even though the above was typed in past tense, it is very well present tense at times too. I still have days where I take a few steps back, or I stay in place. There are days where I’m scared, angry, bitter, hurt, and feel utterly alone. But I have to keep going. We all just have to keep going, no matter how hard it may be.
Life is often a lot like the picture above. As we’re going through life, there are times where we can’t see much ahead. Life might seem hopeless, things might feel like they will never get better, and we might lose that faith that things are clearer and brighter on the other side if we just keep going and doing the best we can to move forward. We can’t see the full picture, but God can. He can see that on the other side of the fog, there is a beautiful, brighter view just ahead of us if we just keep going.
It is my belief, as I have applied it to my life, that God has given us commandments to help us go through life in a happier state. As we follow them the best we can, and repent of our shortcomings along the way, even the darkest of trials won’t have the ability to drag us down. We will have enough strength to withstand the harsh blows of life and we will have enough faith to know that even in the thickest of fog, there is always something to learn from and to grow from and there is light and clarity just on the other side. We will know that whatever is thrown our way, it is for our benefit. We can choose to be depressed, hurt, and angry (which are VERY necessary emotions. Without them, we wouldn’t grow at all!), or we can choose to do the best we can to bear our trials well and use them as an opportunity to grow.
What happens if we stumble? If we make wrong choices? If we go down destructive paths? We’re human. And making mistakes is a part of life! As long as we have the desire to change, to improve, to move forward, and to right our wrongs, God WILL forgive. He lovingly does so and is with us EVERY step of the way. I have felt this in my life so tremendously. The difference in the quality of my life when I’m doing what I can to stay close to His spirit and when I don’t is so distinct.
If you’re in the thick of the fog, keep going.
Don’t give up.
You are needed. You are tremendously loved. You are worthy. You are amazing. You are capable of incredible things. You make a difference in this world!
Days will become brighter and clearer. The fog will lighten. Maybe it will all at once, or maybe (and usually) it will a little at a time. But it will lighten. I promise.
The view ahead is really beautiful.
Although I don’t know what my view ahead is after this fog, I know it will be just what I need it to be. And it will be beautiful because it has been designed by my God.
Just have faith.
We won’t be perfect at it. But what matters is the effort and the progress made. Progression over perfection.
Through God, ALL things are possible.
