Trusting God When Nothing Makes Sense

I remember this day like it happened yesterday.

I was attending a retreat with the church I attended at that time. The retreat took place at Laity Lodge in Hill Country. If you've never been there, it's one of those places where God's creation seems to speak for itself. Over the years, I had hiked this particular trail many times with friends from church. The view from the top was always breathtaking.

This particular time, I decided to go alone.

Everyone else was heading to breakfast, but I felt pulled toward the mountain.

So, I skipped breakfast, laced up my shoes, and started hiking.

About halfway up the trail, I stopped long enough to take a picture. A perfectly angled tree branch served as my photographer that morning. Shortly after that, it started raining.

I remember standing there wondering whether I should turn around.

My hair had already surrendered to the weather, so I figured I might as well keep going.

The higher I climbed, the more excited I became.

I knew what was waiting for me at the top.

I had seen the view before. The valley stretched for miles. The lake sparkled below. It was one of the most beautiful sights in the area.

More than anything, I wanted time alone with God.

I wanted to be like Jesus! Go to a quiet place in the mountains and pray. I wanted to sit with my Heavenly Father and soak in His presence while overlooking a breathtaking view.

I had a plan.

Then I reached the top.

And saw absolutely nothing.

No valley.

No lake.

No view.

Only fog.

Thick fog.

Fog where you can barely see a few feet in front of you.

I remember feeling disappointed.

I had climbed the mountain.

I had pushed through the rain.

I had skipped breakfast.

And this was my reward?

I found a rock and sat down.

My prayer started with something like, "Really, God? This is what we're doing today?"

Then God spoke one sentence to my heart.

"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there."

That's all He said.

But it was enough.

The valley was still there.

The lake was still there.

The beauty had not disappeared.

The fog had simply blocked my view.

I think about that moment often because life feels like that sometimes.

You pray.

You stay faithful.

You keep showing up.

You make sacrifices.

You trust God.

Then instead of seeing the outcome you hoped for, all you see is fog.

Maybe you're waiting for a door to open.

Maybe you're praying for healing.

Maybe you're believing God for restoration in a relationship.

Maybe you've been working hard toward something and feel like you're getting nowhere.

When the path ahead looks unclear, it's easy to assume God isn't working.

But what if the blessing is still there?

What if the answer is still there?

What if God is moving in ways you cannot see yet?

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Faith grows strongest when we choose to trust God even when we cannot see the full picture.

If you're in a season where everything feels cloudy, I want to encourage you today.

Keep climbing.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep spending time with God.

The fog will not last forever.

And when the view finally comes into focus, you'll see that God was working the entire time.

Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.