In the 1960 ‘s it was uncommon in most rural homes to have central heating and air systems.

In Looneyville none of our houses had air conditioners in the summer. We would use boxed fans to stir hot air around just for a breeze of relief from the Georgia heat.

Screen doors with spring hinges allowed air to flow into the house and also served as a barrier to keep insects out of the house.

Most people had a spring on their door with just enough pressure to pull the door closed without great noise.

My Grandpaw on the other hand had a completely different approach to keeping unwanted pests out of his and Granny’s house. Their back door had a spring on it with enough power and pull it could slam you into February of the next year in the middle of July.

Lots of people had to go around yelling “shut the door you’re letting the flies in” at their house. Not Grandpaw! He kept keeping the flies out seriously! His screen door was full of enough spring power you couldn’t hardly get it open, much less hold it open if you even tried it felt like you were being pushed backwards by a thousand pounds.

Do we take what we allow into our mind, heart and body seriously? How strong is the spring on the screen door of the house of our spirit.

Is it loose and stretched out? Can someone or something hold it open far enough to let a whole swarm of flies of doubt, wasp filled with stings of fear and other creatures determined to steal our peace come right in?

“Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it” Proverbs 4:23

We had heard and read this scripture many times but how serious do take the instruction?

I struggle with depression. I have for years. I tried for years to try and be “happy.” Just pray and trust the good Lord I was told by others. I am sure they meant well but the truth is swatting down the flies of the enemy requires more than just prayer.

After years of struggling I now know constantly have to say to myself “close the door you’re letting the flies in.” If I don’t keep check on the spring of the door to my thoughts by reading God’s word, resting, praying and fellowship with close godly friends I would have a back door that stayed wide open all the time. Leading to depression and anxiety constantly.

Our thoughts and heart need a powerful spring. The power of the Holy Spirt lives within you. He is the strongest barrier to Satan’s attacks against our minds.

“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. “ Romans 8:27

We have an interceder. We have someone working on your behalf.

“The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. “ Exodus 14:14

You have a guard and a protector. So keep that door closed and don’t let the flies in. Be like my Grandpaw and take keeping your house pest free seriously. You have everything you need in His word! Just call upon the name of the Lord and place an order for a heavy duty spring!