“You wrapped yourself in a cloud, and no prayer could get through.” 

Lamentations 3:44 (NCV)

Grief feels like a cloud has settled upon you and your head feels like it is in a fog.  Nothing is clear.  Everything seems dull and unclear.  The cloud is all around you.  When death and loss first happened, it seems surreal like you are in a dream.  You are walking around and doing tasks, but it does not seem like it is real.

Even your eyes seem to see life differently.  Nothing is bright, clear or crisp.  All of life seems dull and foggy.  Nothing seems beautiful.

This is the beginning of grief for many people.  The first days, weeks, and months after a loss feel like you are walking in a fog with a cloud all around you.  You want to wake up from this dream, this nightmare but you just cannot shake it. 

Sometimes it is difficult to see through the fog because of our deep sorrow and tears.  In the Gospel of John after Jesus’ death, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb to grieve.  She stood outside the tomb and cried.  When Jesus appeared to her, she did not recognize it was Jesus.  Mary, first of all, did not expect to see Jesus alive.  But secondly, the tears and fog of her grief kept her from seeing Jesus.

I believe our own fog keeps us from seeing Jesus and the love and comfort He gives to us in our sorrow.  It is too difficult to see through our pain and loss, so we have to just trust or allow our foundation of faith to sustain us until the fog lifts.

Life will become clearer, but that is when reality sets in.  Reality takes time so give yourself permission to live in the fog of grief.  The cloud surrounds you, but in the cloud is the presence of God.  God came to the Israelites and led them through the wilderness with a cloud by day (Exodus 13:21).  God will lead you in the fog, too.

It is also important that during this season of fog, that you not make major decisions for your life.  Your thought process is not clear.  You feel like you are going through the motions of life.  Take your time.  Wait until you see more clearly.  Sometimes we have to just sit in the fog and abide. 

Also, realize the fog will come and go in the seasons of grief.  Just as fog comes and goes in the different season of nature, it will in our grief.  Give it time to lift.