Dear Missionaryish Family,

Recently, I found myself grappling with a relentless sinus infection, fatigue, and the weight of seasonal allergies. The physical toll was undeniable: coughing, exhaustion, and weakness consumed my days. But as I navigated this season of sickness, I realized something profound. My physical vulnerability mirrored a deeper spiritual struggle. Just as a virus invades the body, spiritual infections can infiltrate our hearts and minds, exploiting our weaknesses and testing our faith.

This realization brought to mind a striking parallel from a recent Inside Edition segment about squatters, unwanted occupants who move into homes, wreak havoc, and refuse to leave. Across the nation, from Atlanta to Beverly Hills, homeowners face chaos as squatters exploit legal loopholes to claim properties that aren't theirs. In one case, a widow in Hollywood Hills turned to a "squatter hunter" to reclaim her home from an alleged intruder. The solution? Make life so uncomfortable for the squatter, through cameras, crews, and constant pressure, that they choose to leave.

This physical phenomenon of squatting mirrors how spiritual infections operate. Just as squatters take advantage of a homeowner's absence or vulnerability, evil thoughts and influences, such as anxiety, lust, or despair, sneak into our minds when we're weak, tired, or spiritually unguarded. These "spiritual squatters" don't belong, yet they settle in, manipulating our imagination and disrupting our peace. Like physical squatters, they thrive when we leave our spiritual defenses down.

The Reality of Spiritual Infections

When I was sick, I noticed how my weakened state made me more susceptible to negative thoughts. Physical fatigue opened the door to mental and emotional exhaustion, and soon, my imagination was under siege. I was reminded that spiritual infections work much like physical ones. A virus triggers an immune response, sometimes causing the body to attack itself if it's not functioning properly. Similarly, spiritual infections, fueled by evil influences or our own unchecked thoughts, can wreak havoc on our souls, causing anxiety, doubt, or sin to take root.

The Bible warns us of this vulnerability, urging us to be vigilant. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul describes the "Armor of God," a powerful metaphor for the spiritual defenses we need to protect ourselves:

• Belt of Truth: Anchoring us in sincerity and honesty.

• Breastplate of Righteousness: Guarding our hearts with moral integrity.

• Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Preparing us to spread peace and goodwill.

• Shield of Faith: Defending us with trust in God's promises.

• Helmet of Salvation: Protecting our minds with the assurance of salvation.

• Sword of the Spirit: Wielding the Word of God as our weapon.

• Prayer: Connecting us to God's strength and guidance.

During my illness, I confess I didn't always put on the full armor. Some days, I grabbed only the belt or the shield, leaving myself exposed. Other times, I tried to fight alone, carrying just the sword. The result? I struggled mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It wasn't until I called on my Christian brothers and sisters to pray for me, to help me "put on" the armor, that I began to find relief.

Evicting Spiritual Squatters

Just as squatters exploit legal loopholes to occupy homes, spiritual infections exploit our vulnerabilities to occupy our minds. The solution isn't to empty ourselves, as that only gives these intruders more space to thrive. Instead, we must fill our hearts and minds with the things of God to make the environment unbearable for these "spiritual squatters."

In the Inside Edition story, the squatter hunter's strategy was to turn up the pressure, bringing in teams, setting up cameras, and creating conditions so uncomfortable that the squatters chose to leave. Similarly, we can evict spiritual infections by filling our lives with the presence of God and His people. Worship, prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and community create an atmosphere where evil thoughts and influences cannot survive. As the speaker in my notes put it, "Prayer is poisonous and painful to evil spirits." When we repent, worship, and immerse ourselves in God's truth, we make it impossible for these intruders to stay.

The Power of Community

One of the greatest lessons I learned during this season was the importance of Christian community. When I was too weak to fight alone, my brothers and sisters stepped in, praying for me and reminding me of God's truth. They helped me put on the full Armor of God, piece by piece, until I could stand firm again. This is the beauty of relationships in the body of Christ. They reflect the deeper spiritual reality that we were created for connection. Just as a restaurant needs a team to thrive or a neighborhood needs friendships to flourish, our spiritual health depends on the support of our community.

If we're to go out and share the gospel, as Christ calls us to do, we must prepare our hearts and minds daily. Before and after stepping into territories dominated by sin, we need to fill ourselves with worship, Scripture, and fellowship. This not only protects us from spiritual infections but also equips us to love our neighbors well.

A Call to Fortify Your Heart

My recent struggle with sickness and spiritual infections reminded me of a truth I too often forget. Spiritual warfare is real, and our imaginations are a battleground. But we are not defenseless. By putting on the full Armor of God and surrounding ourselves with a community of believers, we can create an environment where spiritual squatters cannot thrive.

So, my friends, I encourage you to reflect with me. How can we fortify our hearts and minds daily? How can we fill our imaginations with the things of God, such as worship, prayer, Scripture, and fellowship, so that evil thoughts have no place to settle? And when we feel weak, let's lean on our Christian community to help us stand firm.

Let's commit to putting on the Armor of God every day, to crowding out the demonic thoughts with the truth of Christ, and to loving our neighbors well. Together, we can evict the spiritual squatters and reclaim the peace and purpose God has for us.

In Christ,

David & Reagan

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