I’m going to let you inside a personal experience I had this past Tuesday that I didn’t like very much.

So, I awakened from sleep in the middle of the night, right? My bedroom was completely dark, when gray figures—at first just faces, then full bodies—appeared to be floating around.

At first there was one, then two, then multiple. I was suddenly surrounded. Terror gripped me, and I let out a tiny screech. The only reason I didn’t scream, by the way, is because I am battling hoarseness caused by a common cold since overcoming COVID. Feels like my body can’t catch a break these days.

Anyway, though I may not have a voice, a sister does have plenty of strength, okay? Look, you should have seen me swinging with all my might at one of the lifelike figures drawing closest to me at a quicker speed than the rest.

That gray figure was about to get it! Hear me?

It’s funny now envisioning myself in bed punching the air, but it wasn’t funny while it was happening. Nah, for real. It was not cool. Not one bit.

When I swung, my hand went right through that grayness (Well, of course it did!), and I tried to steady my breathing. I laid back down and closed my eyes. Then I turned on the lamp near my bedside, and all the apparitions vanished.

Ugh! I hate those doggone visual hallucinations.

That’s what those were.

Boy is brain trauma ever trippy!

My head doctors have given me a very practical explanation for those bizarre visions I have seen on numerous occasions. They say that my brain, which was battered by a mini stroke and a bunch of seizures when I was having complications in the ICU in 2019, continues to misfire nearly three years later.

Therefore, I see (and less often hear) things that aren’t there despite appearing 100 percent real. These types of hallucinations are very common in those like me who have suffered trauma to the brain. It’s not like hearing the voice of God; I know when the Lord is speaking to me. That bypasses the brain and goes straight to my spirit. Brain trauma has zero effect on the supernatural. I just want to be clear on that and give Satan no room to undermine the limitless power of God that is not subject to our human limitations.

Jesus said, His sheep know His voice and follow Him, according to John 10:27. And yes, that even applies to sheep with brain trauma.

Having said that, let’s get back to these pesky hallucinations rooted in totally natural causes. For clarity, they typically result from a flare-up in the part of the brain that controls vision and therefore cause the person – in this case me – to see strange or distorted visions.

As terrifying an experience as hallucinating can be, with the help of God and my medical team, because of what I know to be true, that my brain is misfiring, I now recover from the fear and panic faster than I once did.

Standing on what you know equips and empowers you to go through and withstand anything.

When it first started happening, though, I didn’t understand what was going on at all. But when doctors along with my cognitive behavioral therapist gave me much-needed insights, it all felt less overwhelming.

Even so, I’m not gonna lie; it is intimidating at times.

Previously, the hallucinations consisted of only partial figures. You know, people with no eyes. Cartoon characters with only heads or simply an outline of a character. Occasionally, a scary bug, like a spider. At other times, black blobs that expanded or moved toward me. The full-bodied illusions, however, that were looking at me with smirks and piercing glances Tuesday, are new.

Yikes!

Did I already say hallucinating can be a horrifying experience? Well, it really can. And yet, what brings me comfort is knowing that none of what I am seeing exists in real life. My mind is literally just playing tricks on me.

Friend, you don’t have to have brain trauma to experience mind tricks. Fear, anxiety, or even your chief adversary, Satan, can play with your mind and make false evidence appear real. That’s why you can’t always believe what you see; you must stand on what you know.

And what can you know for sure?

That the word of God never fails (Joshua 21:45).

That God is in control and holding all things together (Colossians 1:17) and causing all things – even the bad stuff – to work together for your good (Romans 8:28).

That no weapon formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17).

And that after you have suffered, God will restore you (1 Peter 5:10).

Hold on to these promises in your daily life, even when your circumstances don’t align with the Word. After all, it’s only a matter of time before what God said will manifest. When I came home in 2019, I couldn’t write, but I’m writing now. I couldn’t say certain words, but I’m saying them now. I couldn’t walk to the corner of my street because I was terrified, but I can walk around my neighborhood freely now. I could not understand conversations and got confused quickly, though my capacity is somewhat limited, my comprehension has improved tremendously.

And I know that God is not through with me yet, because I stand on His word, and I have seen Him honor my faith, just as He will honor yours.

Got it? Good.

In the face of false evidence appearing real—which just so happens to be my favorite (and a commonly known) acronym for fear—God is saying to you, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV). This is what I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration today.

And as you drink down the contents of your cup, speak these words over yourself: “No fear. All faith.” As you walk by faith, you will also walk in divine favor. As you stand on the Word, you will withstand whatever comes against you.

No matter what you see, again, stand on what you know which is this: God’s word stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).

Period.

Now, let’s pray.

God, when fear tries to overtake me, and my circumstances reveal things that contradict Your Word, please help me to stand on what I know and not be swayed by what I see. Strengthen my faith, for I know that faith is the key to unlocking all the blessings You have in store for me. Whatever comes my way, I choose to believe Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!