Ghosts, witches, goblins, spirits of the dead wandering, and evil spirits lurking. It’s the time of year when there is a lot of talk about spirits. Most of us don’t believe in these things and laugh it off.

But the Bible tells us that there is a real spirit world.

In 2 Kings 6:13-17, we read about the King of Judah sending an army of horses and chariots to capture the prophet, Elisha. When Elisha’s servant looks out and sees they are surrounded, he cries out to Elisha in fear, but Elisha is not afraid. He calmly tells his servant, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” I imagine confusion and astonishment contorting the servant’s face as he looked at his master. Had Elisha lost his mind? But the prophet then prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” And with new sight, the servant witnessed the surrounding hills filled with horses and chariots of fire from the Lord.

We can’t see it with our natural eyes, but there is a battle going on in the spirit world around us. And not only around us, but in us.

In the Dr Seuss book, Horton Hears a Who, he tells the story of an elephant with very large ears. One day, Horton happens to hear the Who’s, living on a speck of dust on top of a flower, crying out for help. They have all gathered to make as much noise as possible to be heard so they do not get annihilated. No one believes Horton until finally the microscopic Whos’ voices burst through and everyone hears them.

The gist of the story is that, just because you can’t see something with your eyes, doesn’t mean it isn’t real.

Although we can’t see the spirit world around us, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. We are spirits wrapped in human flesh. But God does not leave us alone to battle. Even when we don’t feel God’s presence or hear from Him, He is most assuredly here.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV

In the dark times of the soul, we need to remind ourselves mentally and perhaps even verbally that God is still here with us. He is still dwelling in our hearts, in our souls. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

Sometimes God needs to make lots of noise in our lives so we can hear Him, and we can turn and allow Jesus to save us from annihilation, ruin, or derailment.

Like the Who’s shouted out, “We are here, we are here, we are here!” The Holy Spirit shouts to our spirit of God, “He is here, He is here, He is here!” We need to exercise our spiritual ears to hear Him.

We do this through prayer, reading our Bibles and seeking the wisdom of solid, faithful believers farther along on the journey.

Feelings and spiritual experiences are a part of our Christian life, but they are not all of it. In times of disappointment, discouragement, heartache, fear, and loss, we must exercise our faith in God. Not only do we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us, but as Hebrews 12:1 says, the “great cloud of witnesses” that surround us. Both those seen and those unseen are praying for us and cheering us on. Scripture tells us the Lord has given angels guard over us as well (Hebrews 13:2, Revelation 1:20).

The spirit world is real, but we do not need to fear evil spirits because the Spirit of the Living God is more powerful and present. The enemy cannot snatch us out of our Dad’s hand. We are His and He is ours if we believe in the Lord Jesus as our Saviour.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

He is here, Sisters! Up close and personal. A breath away from your whispered need, even in the dead of night or when all seems hopeless. He has an army of angels waiting to be dispatched to fight on your behalf, and He will hold your hand through it.

Be well!

Patricia