When Life Clouds Our View

Have you ever noticed how much harder it is to see out of your car windows on a cold or rainy day?

Sometimes it’s raindrops covering the glass. Other times, it’s condensation fogging up the windows, or during the winter months, even a layer of ice.

On a clear day, pulling up to a stop sign or traffic light and looking both ways is something we hardly even think about. A quick glance to the right and left, and we know whether it’s safe to go.

But when those windows are fogged up, something that should be so simple suddenly becomes difficult. We find ourselves wiping the glass, turning on the defroster, or even rolling down the window just to get a clear view.

The road hasn’t changed. The traffic hasn’t necessarily changed. What’s changed is our ability to see what’s right in front of us, and I’ve been thinking about how much that resembles our spiritual lives.

There are seasons when life feels pretty clear. We know where we’re headed, we feel confident in our decisions, and we can recognize potential trouble before it gets too close. But then something happens.

A difficult diagnosis. A strained relationship. Financial worries. An unexpected disappointment. Or maybe just the everyday stresses of life that seem to pile up all at once. Suddenly, our view becomes clouded.

Things that once seemed simple feel complicated, and decisions that would normally come easily leave us second-guessing ourselves. We begin imagining dangers around every corner, even when we can’t clearly see what’s ahead. Sometimes, instead of stopping to clear our vision, we just keep trying to drive through the fog.

I’ve learned that worry has a way of doing that, and so do fear, frustration, and even our own stubborn determination to figure everything out ourselves.

They can cloud our perspective until we’re no longer seeing our circumstances through the lens of God’s promises, but through the haze of our own emotions.

One of my favorite reminders comes from Proverbs 3:5-6:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

I love that Scripture doesn’t tell us we have to understand everything before moving forward. In fact, it tells us just the opposite. We’re not supposed to rely entirely on our own limited view.

Just like I wouldn’t pull into a busy intersection without being able to see what’s coming, I shouldn’t rush into life’s decisions when my heart and mind are clouded by fear or uncertainty.

Sometimes, I ​need to stop​. Pray. Spend time in God’s Word. Let the worries settle and allow His truth to clear away some of the fog.

And here’s something else I’ve noticed about those car windows. Sometimes the moisture is on the outside, where the windshield wipers can easily clear it away. But other times, the condensation is on the inside, and no amount of wiping the outside will help. Isn’t that interesting?

Sometimes our problems really are external circumstances beyond our control. But other times, the thing making it difficult to see clearly is happening inside us. Our attitudes, fears, assumptions, or our unwillingness to let go. Those are the things we need to invite God to work on from the inside out.

The beautiful thing is that ​God sees what we cannot​. He sees around the corners, beyond the obstacles, and farther down the road than we ever could. We may not always know what lies ahead, but we can trust the One who does.

So the next time you find yourself staring through a foggy windshield, maybe let it be a little reminder. Before moving forward, make sure you’re seeing clearly, and when life gets cloudy, don’t forget to turn to the One who can help clear your view. Because sometimes the road isn’t the problem. It’s the fog that’s keeping us from seeing it.

October 16, 2026 Morning Brew