Night Fever

 

A good night's sleep, without interruption, is a great treasure. At least it is for me. So while I was sound asleep (finally) the other night, I awoke to something biting my finger. In a drowsy stupor, I pushed this something off my skin. Then a few minutes later, an itchy streak grazed my elbow. I went back to sleep and didn't think about it. Until...

The next morning, my finger is red, swollen and burning. So is my elbow. It's on fire! What in the world? Maybe a spider? Ugh. Just the thought of that creeps me out. Even worse, a flea? Or two fleas?? Or a bed bug? Yikes. I don't know. I ingest some ®Benedryl and put some ®Neosporin on the area. But even in the light of the morning, there is no evidence of what did this to me other than the welts on my skin and an elevated temperature. Something was lurking, but I see nothing.

Whatever this crawling thing is, it positions itself in the night and knows exactly when I'm most vulnerable. My nerve endings are aware during the daylight hours, and they're much too quick and responsive to something inching on my outer covering. Come to think of it, I fried a mosquito once during a hot flash. I actually heard it go "zzzzzttttt" and drop to the ground when it tried to penetrate the skin on my arm! So, I KNOW when something is creeping on me.

But "in the night season" or during times when we're not paying attention, a little bite of something awful can make its way into our space. And the worst part is, it happens so quickly. We don't even know the outcome... until morning. Or until it's too late. 

The U.S. troops in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan are worried about some new evidence. It appears that the enemy makes every effort to steal night vision gear. Military troops say there's no greater advantage for defeating or cheating on the enemy - than being able to see in the dark. 

Any of you, like me, really need the "night vision" advantage when it comes to dealing with spiritual warfare over your kids, your teens, your aging parents, your job, your health - especially when the situation looks way too dark to handle? 

"But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going. I’ll be a personal guide to them,
directing them through unknown country. I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.
These are the things I’ll be doing for them—sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.” (Isaiah 42:16 The Message)

So it's pretty safe to say, you can hold the hand of the One who knows exactly the way you should go. Especially at night. And if you metaphorically fall asleep during difficult and dark times, I'd consider investing in some spiritual night vision goggles. Write on index cards the verses of scripture that will sharpen your skills. Be aware of the schemes and signals of the dark side. The enemy wants to steal your night vision defense mechanism. Because without it, you have no advantage. 

Later, as a secondary precaution, I lather on ®Off Bug Repellent. That along with hot flashes should combust and throw out a singeing signal to "back off!" :)