As we face fear, trials and hard times in life, it's sometimes hard to see anything but clouds around us.

Read: Isaiah 40:31 & 1 Peter 5:6

Since most of my family live in another part of the country, flying has become an inevitable part of my life. My favorite memories from flying happen on cloudy days where it seems like the sun no longer exists. The plane is dark and dreary without the sun shining from above, and I just sit and wait while the plane takes off and goes through the clouds. Suddenly, the plane breaks through the clouds and the sun lights it up entirely. You can see the heavy clouds below, but only see the bright blue sky around and above you.

This experience reminds me of Isaiah 40:31 where it says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings as eagles; they will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not be faint.”  We have to face a lot of fear, trials, and hard times in life, and, at times, it is hard to see anything but clouds around us. When we go through times of hurt or struggle, it could feel that God just isn’t there anymore. We allow the clouds to cover the beauty and grace of the Lord. But it is when we put all of our hope in Him that He gives us the strength to get past the clouds and soar above them instead. In 1 Peter 5:6, it tells us to “humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” Once we humble ourselves and realize we cannot get through the clouds on our own, He will lift us up, and His light will shine through our lives. Just as there are sights we can only see from a plane, there is a hope and peace that can only come from trusting in the Lord.