Well . . . maybe “storm” is a strong word. But as a native of Knoxville, Tenn., I have no idea how to drive in the snow. As I drove through my hometown yesterday the snow came down and began covering the roads, which left traffic practically gridlocked. My normal 25-minute commute lasted 3.5 hours. I passed by several fender benders, cars with hazard lights on, and many others creeping over roads that most northerners would probably glide over without a second thought.

As I commuted through this “storm,” I reflected on the analogy of storms and trials. I often become anxious when weather obstructs my commute, which I think is analogous to life. In normal conditions I speed ahead, assuming I know the usual curves, turns, stops, and landmarks along the way. But both my wisdom and experience are thwarted when an obstruction such as rain or snow obscures my clarity. I am reminded, both in my car and in life, of my constant dependence on my loving Father.

As life moves along familiar ways or transitions into unfamiliar territory, it is extraordinary to realize the abundant mercy and grace of God who continually reveals His faithful character, navigating ahead where we cannot yet see. In His wisdom he directs our path for our good and His glory, navigating through confusion and hazard. Patience can be a struggle when we do not know what is ahead, yet instead of revealing precisely what to expect from circumstances God graciously reveals Himself. As Oswald Chambers writes, “God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you who He is.”