*This is a post written by my dear friend Amber Lee (also an L&D nurse who helped me realize  when I was pregnant with my first that my water could break “a little”). She and I have been in community for 7 years and she is a TREASURE! Please read what God has taught her lately.*

For 33 years I’ve lived life veiled. Just like a horse with blinders on, like someone who has lost their glasses. I have not been able to see clearly, Satan has literally covered my eyes so I can see just enough, but not completely. 

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I’ve had glimpses of a true walk with God, despite the distractions the enemy has so cleverly placed before me. And it seems most often I fall head first into his trap and dwell.

Overall, I see I have chosen to believe Satan’s lies. Why? Because he is so subtle, and so good at his job.  I see how he has been in control of my prayer life. I’ve prayed fervently for certain situations or people or circumstances to change. Claiming James 5:16, “the prayers of the righteous are powerful & effective”.

Now, through unveiled eyes, I see that the prayers of the righteous are for internal change. For an open heart before the Lord, for my life to be pleasing and glorifying to him; for me to change not my circumstances or those around me.  That He will give me a heart of gratitude & joy amidst complete CHAOS!

Friend, let me tell you James 5:16 is TRUE. He will and can change your heart.  Your prayers are powerful and effective. He will unveil your eyes when you ask Him.  And, when He does what you see is AMAZING. What you are looking at is the same, but what you see is completely different. Its so much more.  You are able to see the absolute bondage Satan has you in and you see the complete FREEDOM that is found in Christ!

There is a story in 2nd Kings 6, where Elisha and his servant find themselves under siege by an army.  The servant says to Elisha, “What are we going to do; there are only two of us against then entire army”?  Elisha says (v. 16) “Don’t be afraid, there are more of us than those who are with them”.  Then, Elisha prays, “OPEN HIS EYES “(unveil him).  The scripture says that the servant sees hills full of horses and chariots of fire!  He saw the Lord’s army a complete other realm!  I want to see that, to be unveiled!  To be able to see what’s really going on around me, to take my head out of the sand.

The author of Hebrews in chapter 12 tells us to throw off the sin that so easily (and subtly) entangles us and FIX our EYES on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, and run with perseverance the race marked before us.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to put on the full armor of God.  That the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world.  To me he is saying _(blank)__ is not the enemy, Satan is.  He just has you fooled.  Stop fixating on __blank__ and start fixing your eyes on JESUS.  Look just above the chaos, He’s there.

Realistically what does this look like?

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1) Remove the veil:

I’m learning that first I have to ask him to remove the veil.  Show me where Satan is telling me lies and I believe them.  Psalm 119:18 says open the eyes of my heart.   In Psalm 139: 23-24 David ask God to search him and know him to find the anxious thoughts. And lead him to the way of the everlasting.

2) Take thoughts captive

Secondly I am learning to take my thoughts captive. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, again says the weapons we fight with are not of this world. That we should take our thoughts captive and compare them to the TRUTH.  Once we really compare what we are thinking to the Truth of God’s word, Satan’s lies become obvious.

3) Fix my eyes on Jesus

Last, what I am working on is fixing my eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). I’m learning that if I’m fixated on __blank__, then I’m not fixed on Jesus.  Philippians 3:8 tells us whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy, we should think about these things.

One of the enemy’s most powerful lies is that you don’t have power over him or that he’s not there.  This is a LIE.  Even the weakest believer is more powerful than Satan.  James 4:7 says resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Don’t let Satan continue to keep your eyes closed.  Let the Holy Spirit unveil your eyes so that you can see what life is really all about.

John 10 says that you can live life to the full when you open your eyes and see Jesus.  Ask the Lord to unveil you and show you the absolute bondage you are in and how Satan has you completely paralyzed.  Ask him to really allow you to experience the unexpected joy (and complete freedom) of desperate dependence on Jesus.  Galatians 5:7 says it is for freedom that you have been set free!