What Jellyfish Taught Me About the Unseen Spiritual Battles Around Us
Have you ever stopped to think about how much is happening around you that you can’t see?
We go through our days making plans, handling responsibilities, and dealing with whatever life throws our way. Most of the time, our attention is focused on what’s right in front of us.
But Scripture reminds us that there’s more happening than our eyes can see. An unexpected encounter with jellyfish while snorkeling in the Florida Keys gave me a vivid reminder of that truth.
A Close Encounter in the Florida Keys
My daughter, Anicah, and I were snorkeling off the coast of the Florida Keys, enjoying the beautiful underwater scenery.
As we explored the reef, something caught my attention. For just a moment, the water in front of me appeared blurry. I blinked, trying to figure out what I was seeing. Had someone dropped a plastic bag into the water?
I looked closer. It wasn’t a bag. It was a jellyfish. Almost completely transparent, the creature drifted through the water, carried along by the current. Its delicate appearance was fascinating, and for a moment, I found myself admiring another example of God’s incredible creativity.
Then I glanced around, and suddenly, I wasn’t quite so fascinated anymore.
We were surrounded! An entire bloom of jellyfish had drifted into the area without either of us realizing it. I had been so focused on the one in front of me that I hadn’t noticed the others.
Whether they were harmless or not, I wasn’t interested in finding out the hard way. I quickly grabbed Anicah’s shoulder and pointed toward the reef. We began backing away, kicking our fins as we made our way toward the boat.
Once we reached the ladder, we climbed aboard safely. “That was close. It almost got us,” Anicah said as she pulled off her mask. I smiled. You mean they. There had been two dozen or more jellyfish surrounding us. I decided not to mention that little detail. I had a feeling she might never want to go snorkeling again!
As we sailed back toward Marathon Key, however, I couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened beneath the surface.
Those jellyfish had been there whether we noticed them or not. And that got me thinking about the spiritual realities we can’t see.
Not Every Battle Is Visible
Ephesians 6:12 tells us:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (ESV)
Paul reminds believers that our struggles aren’t limited to what we can physically see. There’s a spiritual battle taking place, and we aren’t always aware of how it may be affecting our lives.
Most of us recognize the challenges right in front of us. A difficult relationship. An unexpected setback. Temptation. Discouragement. Fear about the future. Those circumstances are real, but Scripture teaches that we also have a spiritual enemy who seeks to draw us away from God.
That doesn’t mean every problem is caused by demonic activity or that we should become suspicious of everything around us. It means we need to recognize that our spiritual lives matter and that following Christ requires more than simply responding to the circumstances we can see.
Just as I hadn’t noticed the jellyfish until one drifted into view, it’s possible to become so focused on everyday life that we forget the importance of remaining spiritually alert.
God’s Protection Isn’t Limited to What We Can See
One of the most encouraging things about Scripture is that it doesn’t only warn us about spiritual opposition. It also reminds us of God’s presence and protection.
Psalm 91:11 says:
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (ESV)
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God using angels to carry out His purposes and minister to His people. We may not always recognize the ways God is working on our behalf, but His care isn’t limited to what we can observe.
I think about how easily Anicah and I could have continued swimming without realizing what surrounded us. That experience made me wonder how often God has protected me from something I never even knew was there.
Perhaps you’ve had moments like that, too. A situation that turned out differently than expected. A decision that kept you from trouble. An unexpected change in plans that, looking back, may have been a blessing.
We can’t always know why those things happen, and we shouldn’t assume every close call is evidence of angelic intervention.
Still, we can trust that God sees what we cannot. His faithfulness doesn’t depend on our ability to recognize everything He’s doing.
Are You Wearing the Armor of God?
Knowing that spiritual battles exist is one thing. Being prepared for them is another.
In Ephesians 6:11, Paul instructs believers to put on the whole armor of God so they can stand against the schemes of the devil.
He goes on to describe the spiritual armor we need:
The belt of truth: Holding firmly to God’s Word rather than being misled by deception.
The breastplate of righteousness: Living in a way that reflects our relationship with Christ.
The shoes of the gospel of peace: Standing ready and grounded in the good news of Jesus.
The shield of faith: Trusting God when doubts, fears, and temptations arise.
The helmet of salvation: Remembering the security and hope we have through Christ.
The sword of the Spirit: Using God’s Word to recognize and resist what is contrary to His truth.
These aren’t physical weapons, of course. They’re reminders that God has equipped His people to remain faithful in the face of spiritual opposition.
And notice something important about Paul’s instructions. He doesn’t tell us to fight these battles through our own strength. Instead, Ephesians 6:10 encourages us to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” Our confidence comes from Him.
Staying Spiritually Alert Without Living in Fear
When I realized how many jellyfish surrounded us, my first reaction was to get out of the water. I certainly didn’t want to stay there and see what happened next! But the lesson I took away wasn’t that I should be afraid every time I went snorkeling. It was that I needed to pay attention to my surroundings.
I think there’s a similar balance in our spiritual lives. The Bible encourages us to remain watchful, but it doesn’t call us to live in constant fear of the enemy. We don’t need to spend every moment worrying about what might be happening in the spiritual realm. Instead, our focus should remain on God.
Spending time in Scripture helps us recognize His truth. Prayer keeps us connected to Him. Obedience strengthens our walk with Christ, and fellowship with other believers provides encouragement and accountability.
These practices aren’t about earning God’s protection. They’re part of growing in a relationship with the One who is already faithful. The more grounded we become in His Word, the better prepared we are to recognize temptation, resist deception, and respond to life’s challenges with faith.
Remember Who Is Fighting for You
I went snorkeling that day expecting to see beautiful fish, colorful coral, and maybe a few other interesting sea creatures. I certainly didn’t expect to find myself surrounded by jellyfish. But that unexpected experience reminded me of something worth remembering. There’s more to life than what our eyes can see.
Spiritual battles are real, yet so is the God who walks with us through them. We don’t have to understand every unseen danger or know exactly how God is working behind the scenes. Our responsibility is to remain close to Him, trust His Word, and stand firm in the strength He provides.
The next time you feel overwhelmed by a struggle, remember that the battle may involve more than what’s visible. And remember something even more important.
You aren’t facing it alone.
Faith Step: Take a few minutes to read Ephesians 6:10–18. Consider which part of the armor of God you may need to pay closer attention to in your daily life. Ask the Lord to help you remain spiritually alert, grounded in His truth, and confident in His protection.
If you missed last week’s blog, I encourage you to check it out here.
Finding Faith Lessons in God’s Creation
A snorkeling trip, a walk through the woods, or an unexpected encounter with an animal can sometimes leave us thinking about Scripture in a completely different way.
That’s part of what I enjoy about writing animal-inspired devotionals. God’s creation provides so many opportunities to pause, reflect, and recognize spiritual truths in everyday experiences.
I’m currently working on a new book called When Animals Preach, scheduled for release in late 2027.
This upcoming collection will feature devotionals written entirely by me, each exploring lessons about faith through the fascinating creatures God has made.
It’s a separate project from my contributions to Guideposts, but if you enjoy stories like this one, you don’t have to wait until 2027 to read more.
I’ve contributed several animal-inspired devotionals to Guideposts’ All God’s Creatures Daily Devotions 2027, a collaborative collection featuring reflections from a variety of Christian writers.
If you love animals and enjoy discovering biblical encouragement through their stories, I’d encourage you to pick up a copy of All God’s Creatures Daily Devotions 2027.
You’ll find several of my contributions throughout the book, along with many more faith-filled reflections from other writers.
👉 Purchase All God’s Creatures Daily Devotions 2027
