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Looking Beneath the Surface

By Karen Whiting 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. -Ephesians 6:12

Standing on the beach, looking at the water on a calm day, all appeared peaceful and beautiful. Yet once I donned my snorkel and goggles and looked beneath the surface I saw an amazing transformation! Beneath the calm surface sea creatures darted about and a multitude of plant life grew!

So, too, beyond the smiles of friends and loved ones, there may be a flurry of turmoil. Hearts may be filled with fear, anxiety, anger, or other negative emotions and scarred from tragedy or loss. Or the smile may reflect great hope and new dreams yet unspoken. I need to explore behind the smile to discover if the individual needs compassion or encouragement.

It is not a mere set of goggles for viewing and a snorkel to help me breath that I need to discern the activity and struggles taking place in lives around me and on the unseen heart. It takes patience and gentle probing to discover hurt or for someone to share a dream they fear words could shatter. I need prayer for God to guide me in my relationships that I might listen well and speak the words the person needs to hear.

So, life may appear calm outwardly but beyond what we see, there is amazing activity taking place. On a different realm, a heavenly one there’s an unseen world where spiritual forces interact. Here, angels and demons struggle unseen by my eyes.

It takes God’s word to discern the truth of the forces involved in spiritual struggles. And we need prayer to help us survive and overcome the struggles. As the snorkel keeps open a passageway to the air, so prayer keeps open a passageway to God.

Dearest Father, guide us through the unseen forces of spiritual struggles

Karen Whiting loves to bring help families thrive and find hope daily. Her book 365 Devotions for Hope offers a fresh perspective on hope daily.

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