{be loving} How To Love Though The Fog

I’m going to be very transparent here. I believe that you deserve that and that transparency in my position is not only important but necessary. The last month of my life a lot has come crashing down. I refer to what I’ve been experiencing as a “fog.” My brain is weighty and clouded due to emotional hurt, heartache, trials, spiritual warfare…I could go on and on but I would much rather look at Jesus instead.

While I sat and looked at my computer blankly, unable to gather what to share with you all this week, God reminded me that although we do all experience a sort of fog from time to time, there is always a breaking and a lifting. There are always clearer skies.

Practically, I want to keep this concise and straight forward. I have been given so much advice lately as I live in a missionary community house with 24 people who all are so eager to come alongside each other when we are in our “foggy” moments that I knew it was so important to share simple ways to love though the fog.

Before I go into these I want to say that when you’re in “a fog” pretty much all of this list is the exact opposite of what you want or feel like doing. You’re not going to read the following thinking it sounds comfortable, do-able, or maybe even necessary but I would encourage you to follow though anyway. I could almost promise that you’ll be surprised with the outcome. 

1. Pray for other people – Getting to a place of outward focus and then staying there is so helpful when you’re foggy. This doesn’t mean to ignore or stuff down your feelings as that isn’t healthy either, but try to gain some perspective. I’ve found that praying for other people helps so incredibly! And I don’t just mean privately, I mean pray for someone, in person. Ask them what they could use prayer for and seek The Lord together.

2. Worship non-stop – Especially if you’re experiencing spiritual warfare, constantly proclaiming Jesus and His promises over your life is just the best. Satan often tries to tempt us with the same old thinking, the same old insecurities, the same old “fill in the blank” but we have been bought by the blood of Jesus and the enemy cannot consume us. Worship not only reminds us of that, but Satan can’t stand to be around us when we are praising Jesus. (may I recommend, Ascend the Hill and Loud Harp for your worship needs – both on Spotify!)

3. Fill your “empty time” with the good stuff – This means when you normally would retreat to Netflix or Spotify or scrolling through Pinterest (which all have them time and place, don’t get me wrong!) listen to a podcast from your favorite pastor, teacher, or even your home church. If you don’t have any ideas, check out the Circuit Riders Podcast, J.S. Park’s “The Way Everlasting” podcast, Timothy Keller, or Jarrid Wilson.

4. Speak life over yourself  – This goes along with number two above somewhat. It may sound incredibly cheesy but the Bible does say the tongue has the power of life and death which means if we are constantly down on ourselves, we’re most likely going to continue to be down on ourselves and vise versa. The below are just a couple things to speak over yourself. That means outloud (I know, this can be so uncomfortable to some of you so I’m right there along with you!) when you wake up, when you go to bed, however you see fit. 

Whatever you do, avoid isolation. Yes, have time with The Lord but do not retreat! Stay near and stay open. While being alone is amazing, when we are in a fog, we often need the accountability that being around other people brings.

Stay in the light –  His light.
There are clearer skies ahead.