Hope for Grey Days

Some days I look out my back window and see a glorious pink sunrise over the pond beyond our property. Canada geese honk and take flight. A dog barks, reminding its master that breakfast is late. Squirrels chatter to each other from the treetops, and far in the distance a red-tailed hawk hunts breakfast.

Not today, though.

Today a cold fog hides it all from my view. The sky is grey, and the air is damp with moisture. A mist blankets the landscape, limiting my vision to what is directly in front of me. Birds squabble at the feeder outside my window while squirrels scavenge for dropped seeds on the ground. Beyond our fence, I hear the rustle of woodland noises, but I cannot see movement.

I recognize that this morning is a snapshot of life. Some days the sun’s rays shine a heavenly spotlight on what is ahead of me. Other days the sun hides behind ash-colored clouds and shrinks my field of vision.

On grey days, it’s important to realize that our limited perspective doesn’t change the reality of what is. Experience tells me that though I cannot see what lies behind the fog, it is still there. The only thing that has changed is my ability to see it.

This is why “we walk by faith, not by sight.” When circumstances blur our vision and keep us from seeing clearly, we must rely on our spiritual eyes to see what our physical eyes cannot. 

The prophet Elijah’s servant suffered from circumstantial blindness Iike I sometimes do. Surrounded by an enemy army, all he saw was what was directly in front of him. It was big, and it was scary. 

Elijah, however, had 20/20 vision.

He prayed, “‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17). 

“Don't be afraid,” the prophet told his servant, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them’” (v. 16).

If today is a grey day for you, and you feel blinded by the fog, rest in the knowledge that your inability to see doesn’t change the reality of what is. God is present in your circumstances. He surrounds you with his care and protection. He has an army at his disposal to work his good and perfect will in your situation. Those who are with you are more than those who are with them.

Think on this today. 

Father, our vision is limited. Sometimes we are frightened by what we don’t understand. Help us remember that you know the end from the beginning and have all the days of our lives cradled gently in your strong, capable hands. Increase our faith. Help us trust you when we are afraid and seek you when we are confused. Be our advocate and our protector, and help us glorify you in whatever circumstances we find ourselves in. Help us walk by faith, not by sight. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen. 

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