By Jaclyn King — “He will put His angels in charge of you to protect you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11. “For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you.’” Luke 4:10.
God’s promise that His angels will guard and protect us everywhere we go and in all we do appears numerous places in Scripture as if to remind us that we’re not alone. We’re safe in His care with a glorious angelic team that He’s assigned to care for us and stay on our side whatever life throws our way. “To keep you” implies that these special souls are tied to us in an eternal sense, to hold us close and not let go. Even when we can’t see them, our angels are near. God has proclaimed it and He established it long ago.
Have you ever felt the presence of one or more of God’s angels? I have. I often wonder, where would I be, and what would I do without my team of angels that God sent just for me? There are also the earthly angels He sent to be connected to us, enriching our lives and making us better people through these special relationships. Who are my angels on this earth? I’ve learned to recognize them and what sets them apart from all the rest, and I’m forever thankful for the angels God gave to me.
There are supernatural angels among us, the ones we can’t see that God sends to encamp around us (Psalm 34:7), protecting us from harm and guiding us toward light so long as we love Him. Those God appointed to walk with us in this life don’t have wings and are not supernatural. I like to think of these special individuals in our lives as quietly doing God’s work – the ones you just know God placed there before you with a great purpose in mind. Without them, you know there would be a missing piece in your life. With them, you are enriched by their presence, and everything seems better by having them near.
It’s important to recognize and appreciate those God placed in our paths in order for His will to be done “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Whether in our darkest hour or in the light of a new day, they are the ones who help us find our purpose–-keeping us on the right path, offering support and encouragement, wholly accepting us for whom God made us to be, and consistently caring for and about us. They always add to us and never diminish us. How can we learn to recognize them so we can fully appreciate what God is doing in our lives? Here are a few things I’ve learned so far on my journey:
They Are FOR You
Someone who is a positive force in your life will not falter based on life’s circumstances or others’ agendas. These are not fair-weather friends. They build you up, don’t put you down, and they want what is in your best interest. There is nothing the least bit toxic about these relationships. Instead, they are the ones that bring healing. When the devil whispers in their ears in the form of vicious gossip and lies with the intent to sabotage, your angels recognize the source and listen for God’s voice for the truth.
These are your cheerleaders, supporters, and biggest fans who help open doors for you along your path rather than create unnecessary blockages. They are here to help you, not hurt you.
They Don’t Seek Credit
Has someone ever done something for you or someone else, and the next thing you know, they’re shouting their good deed from the rooftops for all to hear? It’s always good to do nice things for others, whatever the motivation, but what separates these friends from the rest is that they’ll keep their good deeds to themselves and give all the glory to God, from whom all good things derive. They’re not out for attention, and they do not compete or boast. They might not even tell you that it was they who helped you in some incredible way, but you just know. They are for quietly creating goodness and sharing God’s character wherever they go–-the epitome of what it means to be humble. It’s not what they say, but what they do that defines them.
Even though they probably don’t expect recognition, everyone deserves acknowledgment. Thank them for being so important to you and let them know how you were benefitted. They might not know.
They Love You Unconditionally
Just as God offers us unconditional love and acceptance for who we are, those who work for God here on earth reflect the same kind of love to those around them. They don’t judge or nitpick about what’s “wrong” with a person. They notice the gifts and what is right about a person while also having sensitivity and understanding for their circumstances and any pain and suffering that shaped them into who they are today. This is called empathy–-the ability to understand and share another’s feelings. These special people are full of deep empathy for humanity, especially those close to them.
These individuals might have an extra sparkle in their eyes and a calming presence that washes over you like a warm blanket. Those who offer you peace and healing and accept you just as you are–allowing you to share your most complex feelings and deepest parts of yourself without judgment–-love you as God loves you. This is an extraordinary, rare, and blessed gift that should be recognized and felt as such.
Love Your Angels
As we enter February, the month we associate with love, remember to notice and thank “the angels in your life” for the blessings and source of love and connection they bring. They are the ones you sense are with you wherever you go, even when they are not with you, and whose presence seems to stay with you even as circumstances change with health, lifestyle, jobs, and more. The marks they impress upon you are permanent and will echo throughout eternity.
These are your angels.
You might be an angel to someone too, and you just don’t know it yet. Whether it’s a parent, a spouse, a child, a friend, a doctor, a patient, a teacher, a student, a boss, a co-worker, a neighbor, or a stranger, God places people in our paths who act as our angels.
Having someone in your life who truly cares about you, loves you, and wants to help you makes you healthier and whole. Who is that person to you, and why? Who can you be that special angel for today?
Dedicated to the Angels Among Us.
— Jaclyn King is a writer and editor at AdventHealth. She holds a Master’s degree in English and has been teaching writing and literature courses at the college level for 15 years, including at AdventHealth University in Orlando, Florida. She has a young son named Julian and a Poodle named Thomas. Photo by UnSplash.
