In Episode 21 of Unseen but Not Untold: Overcoming Covert Narcissistic Abuse, Dr. Christine C. Zacharia, MD, integrative covert narcissistic abuse recovery expert and board certified endocrinologist, explores divine protection, spiritual warfare and the unseen ways God preserves His chosen ones.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Zacharia emphasizes that survivors are not abandoned in the aftermath of covert narcissistic abuse. Rather, they are actively covered by God’s protection—even in moments when fear, uncertainty and spiritual attacks feel overwhelming.
She begins by acknowledging the fear many survivors continue carrying after leaving a covert narcissist, particularly after going no-contact or maintaining low-contact situations due to shared responsibilities.
“Maybe the thought of facing retribution or even future attacks from the covert narcissist keeps you up at night. I want you to know: your fears are real and they are valid.”
She then goes on to immediately reframe this fear through the lens of divine authority and spiritual purpose:
“But here’s the truth: when you are backed and chosen by God - no one and nothing can stop what He has destined for your life. Not the covert narcissist. Not their flying monkeys. Not the dark forces that operate through them. Not even Satan himself.”
Divine Protection and the Unseen Spiritual Realm
One of the central themes of the episode is the reality that God’s protection is constant, intentional and often invisible to the human eye.
Dr. Zacharia explains that much of this divine protection happens behind the scenes—far beyond what the survivor may ever realize.
“Obstacles I never encountered. Situations I didn’t even know were coming—because God had already sent His angels to handle them on my behalf.”
She emphasizes that divine protection is not passive, but an active spiritual covering carried out in real time through God’s angels.
“You could be walking down the street, going about your day, and God—through the power of His mighty angels—is actively preventing things from happening to you in real time, completely unbeknownst to you.”
Archangel Michael and Guardian Angels
Dr. Zacharia revisits a pivotal moment in her healing journey that she discussed in earlier episodes:
“If you’ve been listening from the very beginning, you know that my path back to God took a pivotal turn when Archangel Michael appeared to me on New Year’s Eve in 2022—and my life has never been the same since.”
She discusses Archangel Michael's role as the commander of God’s angelic army and protecting those with significant divine callings.
“He is the commander of God’s angelic army. Even his name means, ‘Who is like God?’—a powerful reminder of God’s unmatched authority.”
“Archangel Michael is the one God appointed to cast Lucifer out of heaven and to confront spiritual darkness on behalf of His chosen ones.”
Alongside Archangel Michael, she discusses guardian angels as personal ministering spirits assigned to protect and guide individuals through their earthly journey.
“They go before you, they stand behind you and they surround you—ensuring that the purpose God has placed on your life is preserved.”
Drawing from Scripture, Dr. Zacharia references Psalm 91:11–12 (NLT):
“For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.”
She also highlights Hebrews 1:14 (NLT):
“Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.”
Together, these angelic figures symbolize the spiritual shield surrounding God’s chosen ones amid spiritual warfare.
Covert Narcissistic Abuse and Spiritual Warfare
“What you experienced through covert narcissistic abuse—that form of spiritual warfare—was not random. It was only the beginning of something much larger at play.”
She explains that the intensity of opposition faced in one's life reflects the degree of their divine anointing.
“The calling God has placed on your life, as one of His chosen ones, is so significant that the enemy will go to extraordinary lengths to try to derail you—fully intending to destroy you.”
Reflecting on her own life, she shares:
“Just in my own journey, my purpose carried such weight that not one, but three covert narcissists were sent my way—the last one being a malignant one.”
She discusses how Satan is the original narcissist, emphasizing that his spiritual attacks operate through manipulation, deception and destruction designed to pull individuals away from God’s purpose.
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Daniel is a powerful example of unwavering obedience and supernatural preservation under persecution in scripture.
One of the most powerful examples is Daniel in the lions’ den, which you can read about in Daniel 6:16-23.
“Because of his unwavering obedience to God, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den—a situation that should have ended his life. But God intervened.”
She explains that what was intended for destruction became evidence of divine protection instead.
“The very instruments intended for his destruction became a living testimony to God’s power and protection.”
The lions’ den itself symbolizes overwhelming spiritual opposition that appears impossible to survive through human strength alone. But nothing is beyond God's protection and control
Job and Spiritual Warfare
Job represents the reality that divine protection does not always prevent suffering, but preserves destiny.
“God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith in Him, but with strict boundaries.”
Dr. Zacharia highlights the symbolism of boundaries throughout Job’s story: the enemy could attack, but only within limits established by God Himself.
“His protection was in the boundaries God set: the enemy could take what he was allowed, but he could not destroy Job’s life, character or ultimate purpose.”
She connects this directly to survivors of covert narcissistic abuse whose lives have been dismantled socially, emotionally and professionally through carefully crafted smear campaigns.
“But what God allowed was for refinement of your purpose as His chosen one.”
David, Goliath and the Nephilim
The story of David becomes symbolic of confronting seemingly impossible spiritual opposition through faith rather than worldly strength.
Dr. Zacharia also integrates her medical expertise as an endocrinologist into the discussion. She offers medically informed insight into conditions such as gigantism and acromegaly. She explains that the extraordinary strength, speed and agility associated with the Nephilim does not align with the mobility limitations often seen in individuals with growth hormone excess disorders.
"But the Bible describes the Nephilim as fully capable warriors—agile, strong and dangerous—indicating their size and strength were supernaturally endowed, not the result of a human endocrine disorder."
She explains that Goliath symbolizes more than physical intimidation. He represents towering spiritual opposition designed to instill fear and paralysis.
David’s victory demonstrates what becomes a recurring theme throughout the episode: divine purpose supersedes impossible odds.
David’s Lineage, Jesus Christ and the Body of Christ
Dr. Zacharia expands David’s story beyond the battle with Goliath, emphasizing the deeper spiritual significance of David’s lineage within God’s divine plan for humanity.
“And here’s the extra special layer to David’s story—beyond conquering Goliath and leading Israel’s army to victory. From David’s lineage came Jesus Christ, our Messiah, who died on the cross for our sins—the perfect and spotless sacrifice, fulfilling everything needed to redeem humanity from the grasp of sin brought into the world by Satan.”
She explains that David’s story ultimately points toward Jesus and God’s redemptive plan. Through David’s bloodline came the Messiah whose sacrifice restored humanity’s connection to God and defeated the power of sin and spiritual darkness.
But Dr. Zacharia emphasizes that Jesus represents more than sacrifice alone.
“Outside of this ultimate sacrifice; Jesus is also the ultimate example of what it means to lead with compassion, love and unity, showing us the heart of true leadership in God’s Kingdom.”
This becomes another major spiritual theme within the episode: leadership through God does not operate through domination, manipulation or fear like covert narcissism does. Instead, Christ-centered leadership reflects compassion, humility, truth and unity.
Dr. Zacharia then connects David’s story directly to survivors and God’s chosen ones today.
“And here’s where David’s story connects to us today: as God’s chosen ones, we are part of this lineage—not necessarily by blood, but by calling and purpose.”
She introduces the symbolism of the body of Christ, explaining that each chosen individual serves as part of a larger divine mission designed to impact humanity collectively.
“We are His leaders, His vessels, working together as the larger body of Christ.”
Just as David underwent preparation, protection and refinement before fully stepping into his calling, Dr. Zacharia explains that survivors of covert narcissistic abuse are also refined through adversity for a greater divine purpose.
The “giants” faced in life become symbolic of spiritual opposition, fear and the attempts of the enemy to stop divine purpose before it fully manifests.
“Every trial, every ‘giant’ we face so to speak, are layers of God’s refining process - positioning us to fulfill our calling and impact the world as His chosen leaders.”
Rather than viewing hardship as abandonment, Dr. Zacharia frames these experiences as preparation. The trials survivors endure are presented as part of God’s refinement process, shaping spiritual authority, resilience and leadership within the Kingdom of God.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: The Fire That Couldn’t Consume Them
Dr. Zacharia highlights the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as a powerful symbol of divine protection in the midst of persecution.
She recounts how King Nebuchadnezzar commanded all to worship a golden idol and threatened that anyone who refused would be thrown into a blazing furnace.
“Fully devoted to God, the three Jewish believers refused to compromise their faith—not even to save their own lives.”
Their obedience led them directly into the fire, a situation that symbolically reflects the refining pressures, spiritual opposition and impossible circumstances God’s chosen ones often face.
“But when he looked into the flames, he was astonished. He didn’t see three men in the fire—he saw four.”
“That fourth figure was God Himself, standing with them in the flames, protecting them completely.”
Dr. Zacharia emphasizes that the fire did not destroy them. Instead, it became a place of divine presence and preservation.
“When the men were brought out, not a hair on their heads was singed, their clothes were untouched and there was no smell of fire at all.”
She explains that this story reveals a central truth about God’s protection: He does not always prevent the fire, but He is always present within it.
“This story is a powerful reminder that God’s protection is not just about keeping us physically safe—it’s about His presence with us in the fire, in the moments that feel impossible.”
In the context of covert narcissistic abuse, the furnace becomes symbolic of seasons of betrayal, pressure and spiritual warfare designed to break identity and faith. Yet instead of destruction, these seasons become evidence of God’s sustaining power.
Dr. Zacharia reinforces that even in the most intense trials, God’s protection remains active and personal—ensuring that His chosen ones are never alone and that their calling cannot be consumed by the fire meant to destroy them.
Jonah and Divine Redirection
Jonah’s story is presented as an example of divine redirection and trying to escape from God’s calling.
“You cannot run from God’s purpose.”
Dr. Zacharia explains that the storm Jonah encounters while attempting to flee from his divine purpose represents spiritual disruption that is not designed to destroy but to redirect him back into alignment with God’s will.
"When Jonah was thrown into the sea, instead of being left to perish, God provided a great fish to swallow him and preserve his life. Jonah was trapped yet protected, alive through God’s miraculous intervention for 3 days and 3 nights. Inside the fish, he had time to reflect, pray and realign with God’s purpose. Eventually, God commanded the fish to release him and Jonah went on to complete the mission God had given him."
"This story shows us that even when we resist, stumble or falter, God’s protection is unwavering. He keeps us alive, redirects us and positions us to fulfill our calling."
She emphasizes that seasons of isolation, delay and uncertainty are often part of God’s divine positioning process, used to bring individuals back into alignment with their calling.
“God’s protection may appear in ways you don’t expect—sometimes dramatic, sometimes subtle—but it is always purposeful and perfectly timed.”
The Fire of Covert Narcissistic Abuse and Your Divine Calling
“Surviving covert narcissism is a testament to your mark as God’s chosen one.”
“That fire was not the end of your story—it was the spark that unlocked your truth and began the life-changing journey of your divine purpose.”
Rather than defining survivors by victimhood, Dr. Zacharia frames survival itself as evidence of divine preservation and preparation for a larger calling.
Walking Fearlessly Into Divine Purpose
Dr. Zacharia reminds listeners that the same God who protected Daniel, Job, David, Jonah, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego remains active today.
“He will guide you, shield you and empower you to move forward—even when the battle seems too great, the storm too fierce or the enemy too relentless.”
The episode closes with a final affirmation that encapsulates the spiritual message woven throughout the discussion:
“You are covered. You are called. You are unstoppable. Walk boldly in the purpose God has for you.”