Unmasking the True Enemy: It’s Not Just a Toothache

In my last post, I talked about the danger of the "I’m fine" façade—a lie that, like Mathew's neglected tooth infection, risks severe damage. That physical pain we put off is a perfect mirror for the deep, internal infections we refuse to address: the persistent fear, the low hum of sadness, or the crushing feeling of being overwhelmed. When we choose to remain silent, we aren't just delaying personal relief; we are unknowingly participating in a much larger spiritual conflict. If you are a caregiver facing chronic fatigue, a person with a disability wrestling with hope, or a church leader feeling the strain of holding it all together, and it feels like a dark force is having a "field day" with your life, there's a reason for that.

The truth is, the exhaustion and isolation we feel are often symptoms of a massive, unseen battle. The Apostle Paul gave us the definitive perspective on where our struggle originates: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12). This truth clarifies that the ultimate enemy isn't the challenging logistics of caregiving, the limitations of a body, or even the difficult people we sometimes face; it’s the spiritual forces that encourage the temptation to retreat and isolate, the desire to pull up the covers and hide in bed for the day, and the pervasive feeling that we are the only ones dealing with this. The anxiety or anger you feel isn't just a mood; it’s a personal skirmish in a much larger spiritual war.

The primary tactic of the enemy is isolation. He whispers the lie that your struggle is unique, shameful, and too overwhelming for anyone to understand. He especially targets those of us who feel the most pressure to be strong. But Scripture immediately dismantles this fortress of shame: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man..." (1 Corinthians 10:13). Your hidden struggle is common to the human experience. It is not a singular, fatal flaw. We are not designed to fight this war alone. It’s time to stop the cover-up and realize that bringing the truth into the light is the first, most powerful blow against the darkness.

Stay tuned for my third and final blog in this “series,” where we will consider the power of speaking up and finding true relief.