When I was fifteen years old, I did a science fair project called The Third Line of Defense, referring to the invader-specific antibodies of the immune system. I found immunology fascinating, and reading medical textbooks as a teenager, thought I would later become a doctor like my oldest sister. She had dedicated herself to the field of dermatology and went on to a decades-long distinguished career in the field. Interestingly enough, dermatology’s health focus, the skin, comprises the major part of the first line of defense. (The second line, if you are curious, refers to non-specific immune responders such as phagocytes.)
It wasn’t until perhaps three years ago that I came to appreciate that first line of defense as one should. And as often happens, I only noticed it when it went haywire. I hope you’ll excuse the following somewhat unpleasant topic, but I guarantee reading about it is far milder than the actual experience! A recurring dental infection (after three root canals) was not responding to standard antibiotics, so my endodontist prescribed a rather powerful variety I’d never heard of before.
That led to one of the worst experiences of my life, as I came to understand what can happen in the case of a drug allergy. I suffered from intense, untreatable hives all over for two weeks, sleeping on a pad not far from the refrigerator, where, in December, just before Christmas, I was obliged to retrieve ice packs every few hours during the night to relieve terrible itching. I wore wet shirts, anything I could think of that might help relieve the revolution going on in my epidermis. It eventually subsided, but I have had a deep appreciation for healthy skin ever since.
I believe the spiritual equivalent of our physical first line of defense is peace. Colossians 3:15 instructs us to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. In John 14, we read that Jesus told His disciples at least twice, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” and Proverbs 4:23 exhorts us to watch over our hearts with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. That’s why He could take a nap in a small boat pitching on an angry sea, and when awakened, speak the peace that filled Him right over that storm, bringing calm.
He intended that all who follow Him would experience peace as their new normal. If you have not experienced peace, then you haven’t experienced Jesus. And because He promised to be with us always, we should expect to be kept at peace despite outward circumstances. Our first line of defense against the enemy is to recognize when something is attempting to steal our peace, and to deal with it. You can’t be at peace and be worried, stressed, fearful, or offended. If you find yourself in such a negative state, it’s time to go to Jesus and the promises of the Word, and reclaim your peace by meditating on the truth.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV).
