Diffusing the Fog

Be very careful if you ask someone to pray with you...for you. Because if they are honest, sincere and open before God, you will hear their heart. And you will hear their love and concern for you. And you might catch a glimpse of yourself you weren't expecting.
And as I heard that prayer, things left unsaid naggled at my thoughts--my lack of gentleness and patience, my do, do, do, work, work, work tendencies. And God said, "Yes, yes. Look." And He stopped my busy hands and said, "See?" And He quieted my busy mind, "And here..." And He cast a glance at my dining room table piled with ministry forms and papers and sign-ups and asked, "Why?" and "For Whom?"
And I said, "Jesus. It's for Jesus. Well, okay, it started out for Jesus. But now I'm in too deep and it needs to be done and I can do it. I know I can. All I need it one more of these and three more of those and a little more time...."
And He said, "Stop." And I stopped. And He said, "Look." And I looked, turning in my Bible to Hebrews 9. And there He was--and there was nothing to be done. And there was nothing I could do. And if it was up to me or up to Him, who would I choose? He could. He did. I cannot.
Who could offer His blood on the altar of God's judgment, stand and reenter the outer courts of the world? Only Jesus. Who could suffer death and live again, offering Himself in my place? Only Jesus. Who could stand before the Father on my behalf? Only Jesus.
And sin that creeps, first at my feet, then as a surrounding fog, that isolates and bears down and suffocates--that sin has no hold. The sword of the Spirit, that Word of God, pulled from its sheath to the forefront of my mind, glows and guides, driving me to my knees, revealing my desperate need and my Sufficient Savior.
And by His grace, I repent. I call out for mercy. I draw on His life to renew relationships and point of view and priorities and choices. And the fog dissipates. And the way, though not easy, is filled with hope and peace and light. Because of Jesus.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 
He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,

Who excel in strength, who do His word,

Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul! (Psalm 103, NKJV)