“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV
“The unseen is not unreal simply because you cannot see it. Some of the greatest realities of God are invisible to the natural eye.” — Dr. Daniel LeBlanc
The Unseen Is Real
We have been trained to believe that if we cannot see something, touch it, or measure it, it must not be real. But the Bible teaches us there is an unseen spiritual realm all around us. Paul said, “For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV.
Elisha understood this when the Syrian army surrounded the city. His servant looked outside and saw an impossible situation. Elisha looked at the same situation but knew there was more present than what his servant could see.
Elisha prayed, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:17 NKJV. God opened the servant’s spiritual eyes, and he saw the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire. The army of God had not suddenly arrived. It was already there. What changed was the servant’s ability to see.
So how do we begin seeing beyond what our natural eyes are telling us? First, learn to stop before you react. Fear wants an immediate response, but faith gives the Holy Spirit room to speak. Refuse to let the first picture that enters your mind become the final picture you believe.
Secondly, ask God to open your eyes. Pray the same prayer Elisha prayed: “Lord, open my eyes.” Ask the Holy Spirit, “What am I not seeing? What does Your Word say about this? What are You saying to me?” Do not assume you already know the answer. Give God room to show you something you have not considered.
Then learn to listen. Become quiet enough to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. He may bring a Scripture to your remembrance, give you peace, correct your thinking, change your perspective, or impress something upon your heart. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice.” John 10:27 NKJV. Hearing God grows through relationship, so the more time we spend with Him, the more we learn to recognize His voice.
Next, allow what God has shown you to change the picture within you. Instead of repeatedly imagining everything that could go wrong, begin seeing the situation through what God has revealed. This is God Imagination. You are not creating a fantasy. You are allowing God to correct the picture that fear, circumstances, or the enemy has been painting within you.
Finally, respond to what God shows you. Faith is not merely seeing differently. Faith eventually acts upon what God has revealed. Sometimes He will tell you to speak, wait, forgive, give, pray, make a phone call, change direction, or simply refuse to worry. Whatever He shows you, be willing to respond.
This becomes a simple way of life: stop before reacting, ask God to open your eyes, listen for His voice, allow Him to change the picture, and then respond in faith. The more we practice this, the less our natural circumstances control our imagination.
The goal is not to become fascinated with the unseen world. The goal is to become more conscious of God. There may be much more happening around you than your natural eyes can presently see.
Prayer
Father, open the eyes of my heart. When circumstances try to control what I see, teach me to stop and seek You before I react. Holy Spirit, help me hear Your voice, recognize what You are showing me, and respond in faith. Make me more conscious of Your presence than I am of my problems. Amen.
Today’s God Imagination
Choose one situation troubling you today. Stop, ask, listen, look, and respond. Pray, “Holy Spirit, what am I not seeing?” Then give Him time to answer.
