Fog, Clouds and Obstacles

Brain Fog

Some days my head is in a fog… It is hard to focus on anything. Mondays are often like that because Sunday takes a lot out of me. That struggle with focus even extends to my Bible Study. Some days it seems all that I am up to is prayer. The study just eludes me. But it is those days I really need to push myself to study. I admit some days I just get distracted and wonder off looking at photography or cars or guns… distractions. But if I will not allow those distractions to pull me away from my morning study I am always blessed by some insight or understanding. This morning was one of those mornings. I just could not focus.

But instead of wandering off into the worldly distractions I pushed myself to study. I told myself, “I will read my devotionals and pray and just kind of float along until this cloud lifts. But God had a different plan. I read the K-love verse for the day and that brought a few others to mind. Then I read Utmost for His Highest for the day, (February 20), and that hit with a thud across the back of my head. Then I read my chapters for my small group study at Nineveh Christian Church on Wednesday out of 1 Corinthians, and things began to clear slightly.

Removal of Obstacles

This cloud I talk about is different than the kind I used to get when I was just tired and did not get enough sleep. It is something that has lingered since the strokes. It will actually make me a bit nauseated and a bit dizzy so focus is a problem. But these are only temporary.

But as I consider the words read this morning things begin to clear a bit.  As I write these thoughts down the Holy Spirit points me to the Word for strength. First…

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Then Isaiah 43:2

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

Then there is this peace… Now the headache and the cloud are still there. But they are less important. What is important is God’s Love and encouragement and His Holy Spirit pushing me forward with encouragement; all from the Word of God.

Persistence of the Spirit

Now I do not have all these passages memorized. I can barely remember a phone number. When I get a number from a friend I am lucky to remember 2-3 digits at a time. But what is burned on my heart is the context of the passage… and I give thanks for Bible Gateway to get the chapter and verse.

Removing Obstacles

I am amazed every day by how my Heavenly Father knows just what I need if I will listen. He never gives up on me. As I reflect on this I am overwhelmed by His love and patience. I think about this blog. I think how I was convinced I could not put this together. My brain would not let me. So, God gave me Lauren Cooper to do the part I was certain I could not do. And now I have an avenue to share what God is doing in my heart as I study.

I think about Moses complaining that he could not speak well enough to go in front of the Pharaoh of Egypt so He gave him Arron. I am so thankful for how He will remove my excuses. Matthew 19:26 (ESV) comes to mind…

“26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Closing Thoughts

You know I think that all of us have times when we just do not feel up to studying God’s Word… And I think it is at those times when we really need Him the most. He knows our heart and He knows our needs and that adversary, the devil tries with all his might to keep us from Him with distractions and aggravations. But If we push through those obstacles and trust in our Heavenly Father the effort will not be wasted. I am reminded of…

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)

10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Our God is an awesome God. He is with us always… “and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b… What a gift we have in Jesus… What joy we have in the Holy Spirit and His direction. I am filled with thanksgiving.