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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Fog of Life

I've heard the term "the fog of war".  It speaks to the confusion and chaos that go on in the midst of battle.  Even though there is usually a well thought out plan and everyone knows their particular task, something unexpected, unaccounted for sometimes happens.  And that's when things can go wrong and not according to our best made plans.

Life can be like that.  We have our plans.  We have our routines.  We pretty much know how the day will go and what each person's role is in that routine.  But then life happens...we're thrown a curve ball; things we weren't planning on.  You know what I'm talking about-an illness diagnosed, a child gets hurt, a friend dies, a lover leaves.  And then the "fog of life" sets in just like the "fog of war".

I think of times when one of my precious children became ill, or when I went through my divorce many years ago, or when I've gotten a call that someone close to me has been in an accident and there is not much hope, or when my mom suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.  I could literally feel a "fog" move into my head that enabled me to move like a robot through a situation that would otherwise be unbearable.

I think it may be a sort of defense mechanism to help us get through the battle.  You can't see things clearly in the midst of fog.  There is confusion, emotional upheaval and fear.  But somehow, there is grace to carry us though.  The pain isn't quite as acute and we are able to go through the motions of taking care of what needs taken care of.  When I've been in these situations I can almost picture myself walking through a battlefield with the smoke slowly lifting and seeing who the casualties are.

When the dust settles we take account of the destruction that's been done.  We look around and figure out who's been damaged, who needs comfort, and how will we proceed with moving forward from our trauma.  Those are the precious moments when I am so glad that I'm firmly rooted in God and I won't, I can't, be left standing alone.  I have an ever present God who walks with me through that battlefield, sometimes carrying me, sometimes stopping to rest with me, sometimes just letting me cry in His arms.  As the air clears and my emotions become more raw and the reality of the situation sets in, I find Him still there, still comforting still just being present in my moments of pain.

In the midst of worry or heartache, it is a joy unspeakable to have a Saviour who is always by my side, in the midst of the fog, after the fog clears and forevermore!  He will not let me become a casualty of war.  He will show me a way back to fulfilling the promise of who He created me to be and to a place of peace and comfort and joy.

Beloved, if you are going through a difficult place and you feel like you're going it alone, know this; if you ask Him to be there with you, all you have to do is close your eyes and feel His presence, His touch, His love.  He will stay with you through the fog of life; and after it clears, if you invite Him, He will stay.  He promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  And that's a promise you can hold on to.

From His lap,

25 comments:

  1. Erin, sometimes I come across things that blow me away. The timing of this post, as with your last one I commented on, is beyond perfect. Not only has it blown me away, it's taken the wretched fog with it! My day just got brighter. Thanks as always. Lorraine

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  2. I have been in that fog before and know all to well that pain and suffering that goes with it. But when you break from it life is so much better!

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  3. I have been through a lot in my life and a lot of people have left when the going got tough, but God never did and it's comforting to know that he never will. It's also comforting to know that when the fog lifts that the true friends and family that you have are also still there regardless of what the battle was. Thank you for a beautiful piece!

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  4. Lorraine, I'm so glad that it blessed you! We all go through times in life where we are on auto pilot, just going through the motions until we can make it throught to joy again! Yay for breakthroughs!
    ~Erin

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  5. Ron, It's always so great to get through those times and come out into the light and be able to move on in life! Thanks so much for stopping by!
    ~Erin

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  6. Amen and amen, Karen! You said it perfectly! Bless you!
    ~Erin

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  7. Erin,

    I find your description here heartfelt and candid. I have found that oddly or perhaps not so oddly? the study of philosophical thought can also enrich the creative process and help define the path on the journey of life.

    Here are some words from long ago by Aristotle. See what you think:

    In The Ethics of Aristotle; The Nicomachean Ethics, ten books (chapters) in which he discusses the virtues, he says,

    In book one: There is one further qualification: in a complete lifetime. One swallow does not make a summer; neither does one day. Similarly neither can one day, or a brief space of time, make a man blessed and happy. (p. 76)

    For … happiness demands not only complete goodness but a complete life. (p.81)

    And he asks, Is it only when his life is completed that a man can rightly be called happy? (p. 82)

    And he answers: For we believe that the truly good and wise man bears all his fortunes with dignity, and always takes the most honorable course that circumstances permit…. And probably we should add ‘destined both to live in this way and to die accordingly’; because the future is obscure to us, and happiness we maintain to be an end in every way utterly final and complete. (p. 84)

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  8. Wow, Mary! That's a lot to chew on. I'm going to have to read it a couple of times for it to sink in! Thank you so much for sharing it!
    ~Erin

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  9. Your post was perfectly timed, since foggy days envelope me right now. When I refocus and fix my sight on Him, the way is much more clear. I read this right after I sent Him a message this morning. :-)

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  10. I'm so glad the post blessed you, Patti! Those foggy days can protect your heart for a while, but then it's so nice to come back out to the clear and see who's carrying us!

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  11. "He will not let me become a casualty of war." Love that! God never leaves, even though our view of Him is foggy. I love this, Erin!

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  12. Erin - I read every little word you write. You are a vessel that overflows with God's grace and love. I know this keeps from a place deep in your soul right now. Love you, sister! Dianne

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  13. Erin ~ Simply beautiful. Hitting a bit of fog myself at the moment and this was a really blessing. Thanks for the new imagery and words to describe those times! Please keep me in your prayers for a surgery tomorrow! Thank you! Love in Him, Libby

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  14. You will be in my prayers, Libby! I pray that the Holy Spirit guides the drs hands and gives them wisdom. I pray that your body functions in the way that the will and the Word of God created it to function, from the top of your head to the souls of your feet. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen and Amen!!!
    ~Erin

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  15. Love you, Dianne! I so blessed to have you in my life and have you to know me and pray for me!! Love you, sister.
    ~Erin

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  16. As usual, multifaceted & poignant. Thanks for sharing, thanks for caring! I see Lorraine is a fan. We are buds on twitter. Small world.

    Sheryl Santesson

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  17. Thank you for stopping by, Sheryl! I'm glad the post blessed you!

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  18. Wonderful Post!!!...Loved it!!!...

    Take care...

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  19. Thanks, Lisa! I appreciate your kind words!
    ~Erin

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  20. Perfect way to describe it. I think we have all felt that "Fog" before. Great post!!

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  21. Thanks, Stephanie! It helps get us through some rough times!

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  22. Some times life becomes a challenge and surviving seem almost impossible. Only faith carries us through pain and hope. Thank you so much for your words Erin, God bless you.

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  23. Thank you for your encouragement and support!

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  24. Indeed, My agreement goes beyond agreement. Although, The fifth paragraph starts, " When the dust settles we take account of the destruction ... ". Its been my person experience that dust can take years to settles for some folks.

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  25. How sadly true that is, that it can take years for the dust to settle. So much of life wasted and stolen from us when that happens.
    Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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