I used to live in Jacksonville and the fog there was incredible. One time my wife and I were going fishing and in order to get to the Atlantic Ocean we had to traverse a canal for about a mile. It was so foggy that I could not see the bow of the boat. I had to use radar 100% to navigate.
I considered it exciting, but my wife was scared half to death; especially when we encountered a giant barge that was heading right towards us. Apparently he had radar too because he sounded his foghorn to let us know he was there and I responded with my little horn.
Ordinarily I could make it to the jetty and out into the ocean in a manner of minutes, but it took about an hour with the fog. The fog didn’t break until we were far out into the ocean and then it was full throttle to cover the 90 miles to the gulf-stream.
I was thinking about this today because a giant fog of tribulation is being lifted from our lives. Most importantly my wife received news yesterday that her test came back negative. We’ve been praying non-stop for this result to occur. The result means that she now only has to endure 12 weeks of chemo therapy. Had it come back positive, it would have required 12 MONTHS of chemo and the possibility of numerous serious side effects.
Likewise, not that long ago I was told that I needed another 4 ½ hour operation on my neck in order to relieve the pain. I prayed and prayed that God would spare me this ordeal, and when it was time for the operation I went as far as going to pre-op and when I got there I told them I was not going to have the operation because I seemed to be improving and I had less pain and numbness in my arm. It has continued to get better each day and though I still have some pain I can travel and do my job for the Jesus Alliance and it is still getting better each day.
Finally I was told by my real estate broker that an offer is being drafted to present to me to buy Honey Lake in its entirety at the price I desired. Another answer to the many hours spent on my knees praying. Though there is a long way to go and no guarantees that this deal will stand the test of time, if all continues to go well I’ll be going full throttle ahead for the Jesus Alliance and very soon all of our families’ health and other problems, (vicious satanic attack) will have faded into the distance.
Though the fog has not entirely lifted, our family is beginning to see some daylight popping through here and there and it sure feels good. One nice thing about trials and tribulation is that it gives one a greater appreciation of the wonderful life that God has given us and especially good health, (if you have it).
After my surgery I spent 9 long weeks flat on my back and much of that time I was drawing closer to God in prayer and just listening. The Bible states that in times of trouble that if we draw near to God He will draw near to us. “Drawing near” doesn’t always mean we get instant gratification and all of our problems will just instantly melt away, but it does assure us that God loves us and we are in His hand and nothing can ever remove us from His grip of unending love.
I believe in prayer and I have faith that God hears and will answer our prayers. Indeed sometimes His answer is: “No, what you desire is not good for you”; and other times it is: “Wait a while, now is not the right time”; and then there are those times He says: “Yes, it is my good pleasure to grant this to you”.
Life is made up of valleys and peaks. When we are basking in the sun on the peak we should faithfully follow Jesus. When we are down in the deep valley we should faithfully follow Jesus. In other words we should stay with Him through the dense fog and the bluebird blue skies. Keep your eyes on Jesus at all times and you will never regret it. It begins with prayer and claiming this verse:
John 14:13
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it
May 13, 2015 – Click here to listen