Faith: Like Walking in Fog

The elevations of Lookout Mountain offer spectacular views. As college students in Chattanooga, Tennessee, my future husband, Alan, and I enjoyed our first date along with two friends at the top of those mountains. As the day ended, twilight settled over the landscape; however, so did a deep, impenetrable fog. The terrain was completely obscured, the car enveloped, with only a few feet of roadway visible.

Our fun adventure transformed into a frightening, precarious outing. The twisting

road leading to the mountaintop had no guard rails. One wrong turn on the descent would send the car plunging hundreds of feet to the canyons below. So with white knuckles, our friend gripped the steering wheel while Alan and I served as guides, walking by dimmed headlights in front of the car, leading the way a yard at a time. We slowly edged down the mountain to safety.

Recalling that memory reminded me of Edith Schaefer’s observation that walking by faith can be "like walking in fog." The road of life that once seemed so clear can

suddenly become shrouded in uncertainty. Doubt about our next steps plagues our decisions. Such patches of “life fog” can shake our faith. Looking back, though, we observe that our faith when tested in those dark foggy nights of tragedy, fear, or failure, has grown stronger and deeper.

Such faith is described in Hebrews:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the confidence of things not seen” (11:1)

It is helpful to recall those "heroes" of

our faith, who followed God on

uncertain paths, obscured by clouds of doubt and distress, yet they lived lives of extraordinary trust, commitment, and fidelity.

Noah. Though he had never observed rainfall, Noah spent 120 years building an ark, enduring ridicule from his fellowman. Nevertheless, through those long years of obedient work, believing that God would send rain in His time and in His way, Noah persevered. As a result, Noah experienced a great reward—the rescue of his family and of the animals that would repopulate the earth.

Joseph. While he endured betrayal and imprisonment, Joseph’s story illustrates the benefit of relying on God’s plans. Despair and sorrow surely overwhelmed Joseph as his brothers sold him to slave traders who carried him to Egypt. For twenty years, Joseph mourned the loss of his home and his beloved father. Yet God faithfully intervened, allowing him to rise from a mere prisoner to become the pharaoh’s second in command. What a transformation of life circumstances, from simple shepherd to the leader of a formidable kingdom!

David. When grief invaded his life, that suffering drew David closer to God. He faced extreme situations, like hiding in caves to escape his enemies, including King Saul. Although the prophet Samuel had anointed David as king of Israel, it would be years before he would assume the throne. As David walked through the fog of adversity, he trusted God to bring about His will.

Paul. As Paul marched towards Damascus to arrest Christians, God dramatically veered his life to a completely different path, one Saul (later called Paul) could never have anticipated. A glorious future lay before him as an evangelist, healer, and writer. Despite death threats, beatings, and eventual martyrdom, Paul became the greatest missionary the world would ever know.

Jesus. In all Scripture, our Lord and Savior was the only one who did not walk an unsure path, for He knew and accepted the hard road before Him. In fact, He understood and accepted his destiny: “For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). Thanks be to God! For our Savior was willing to die for sinners, no matter the personal cost so that we might live.

Reading Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith, provides a good reminder for believers of what faith can accomplish. For just as God guided those ordinary saints during their times of distress and uncertainty, He also guides us now. No matter what we are facing, whether we are rejoicing on the mountaintop as Alan and I were, or plunging into a dark fog of uncertainty and fear, Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 11:5b).

Even in times of uncertainty, when our faith is sorely tested and shaken, God is faithful to guide us through those dark times of the soul. So even when we do not understand, when we cannot see His hand, we can trust His heart as the Psalmist encourages us:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths. (Psalm 3:5-6)

Are you facing difficult news about someone you love, a health crisis, financial uncertainty, or broken relationship? Know this, that the One who is with you on those sun-drenched, cloudless mornings is also with you on those heart-breaking fog-filled evenings. Our Savior understands our frailty in those moments. Psalm 86 clearly pictures His merciful kindness toward us:

Be merciful to me, O Lord,

For I cry to You all day long.

Rejoice the soul of Your servant,

For to You, O Lord,

I lift up my soul.

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,

And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. (3-5)

No matter where the path may lead, He is worthy of your trust. Put your faith in Him.