Hello from Colorado, where the mountains have been teaching me something about faith. Last week, there were days when I couldn’t even see the peaks’ outlines through the clouds and haze. Yet I knew they were still there. I didn’t need to see the mountains to believe they existed. I simply had to remember what I already knew.
And isn’t faith like that?
There are moments when the presence of God feels as visible to us as the mountains on a clear Colorado morning. We see His hand in the beauty around us, we recognize His presence in the details of our lives, and our faith seems almost effortless. Then there are other moments when the clouds roll in, our vision becomes obscured, and we cannot see Him as clearly. But the fact that we cannot see Him does not mean He has moved.
My faith is ever-changing—not because God changes, but because my understanding of Him continues to deepen. The more I walk with Him, the more I realize that faith isn’t always about what I can see. Sometimes, faith is holding on to what I know when I cannot see what I once could.
Welcome to a brand-new week on the blog. Last week, we focused on the majestic flight of the eagle and how to rise above the raging weather of life. This week, we’re shifting our focus to a different part of the survival process: the art of stripping away the background noise. Life has a way of becoming incredibly cluttered. We get caught up in digital chatter, the opinions of onlookers, the daily hustle, and the petty arguments of people who may not have our best interests at heart. We allow our minds to become consumed by things that, in the grand scheme of Eternity, simply do not matter.
But then, a sudden storm hits.
A crisis arrives at your doorstep without warning—a sudden loss, a major disappointment, a difficult change, or an unexpected turn in your circumstances. In an instant, the world seems to become quiet. The things you were stressing about just twenty-four hours earlier suddenly lose their importance. The background noise is stripped away, leaving you standing face-to-face with what really matters. These moments can be painful, but they can also become moments of clarity.
Sometimes, God allows the things around us to become quiet enough for us to hear what we have been too distracted to recognize.
In the natural world, a severe storm can strip away loose debris and expose what was already underneath. Spiritually, difficult seasons can do something similar. They can reveal what—and who—we have been placing our trust in. They can show us where our energy has been going, which relationships are genuine, and which things we’ve allowed to become more important than they should be.
As an ever-growing student of theology, and someone who once pursued a Master of Divinity, I may not have completed the degree, but my hunger to understand the Word of God never ended. I still fiercely study Scripture, open my Bible to seek His face, and dig deeply into the Word to verify truth for myself. And the more I study, the more I understand that sometimes God uses the quiet moments, the difficult moments, and even the storms to bring our attention back to Him.
So perhaps the question isn’t simply, “Why did this storm happen?” Perhaps we should also ask, “What is this storm helping me see?”
When the noise is stripped away, what remains? What truly matters? Who has been standing beside you? Where have you placed your trust? And most importantly, can you still recognize the presence of God when you cannot clearly see Him?
The mountains don’t disappear simply because clouds cover them. And God doesn’t disappear simply because we cannot see Him.
Sometimes faith is simply remembering what you know to be true while you wait for the clouds to clear.
The Takeaway for Us
- The Sifting of the Storm: One recognizes that a crisis acts as a spiritual filter. It instantly separates the superficial distractions of life from the core priorities that matter.
- The Reclaimed Radar: One learns that clearing the background noise is necessary for survival. When the storm forces your focus to narrow, it restores your spiritual vision.
- The Foundation Revealed: A believer understands that when the loose debris of the world is stripped away, what remains is your unshakeable foundation in Christ Jesus.
Community Challenge
Think about the background noise you have allowed to clutter your mind over the last few weeks. Is it an online argument, a toxic relationship dynamic, or the stress of trying to please people who don’t value you? This Monday, I challenge you to elevate your understanding. Step into the clarity checkpoint before a storm forces you to. What is one superficial distraction you need to intentionally strip away today so you can focus entirely on your genuine peace and purpose?
Scripture & Prayer
- Scripture: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:15-16 (KJV)
- Prayer: Father, thank You for the clarity checkpoints that force me to look at what truly matters. Forgive me for the times I have allowed my mind to be cluttered by the petty noise, gossip, and superficial hustles of this world. Strip away the background distractions of my life today. Help me to narrow my focus, to value my time, and to anchor my heart entirely in Your unshakeable truth. Amen.
The Spiritual Seal
Remember: The noise of the world is temporary, but the peace of God is eternal. Do not waste your precious energy on things that carry no weight in eternity. Clear the radar, embrace the clarity, and walk in your truth! Have a focused Monday—see you tomorrow!
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