During World War II, military analysts studied the damage patterns on fighter planes that returned from missions. They mapped out the bullet holes across various parts of these aircraft - wings, tail sections, and parts of the fuselage appeared to be riddled with bullets. The initial recommendation was to reinforce these areas, assuming they were the most vulnerable.

However, statistician Abraham Wald offered a radically different perspective. He pointed out that the bullet-riddled planes were the ones that made it back safely. That meant the damage in those areas was survivable. The truly vulnerable parts were the ones with little or no bullet holes, like the cockpit and the engine, because planes hit in those areas never returned. Their absence in the data was the most telling clue. Wald’s insight gave birth to an important concept known as "Survivorship Bias", the error of focusing on those who "survived" a situation, while ignoring those who didn't, leading to false assumptions and dangerous decisions.

Scripture challenges us to be intentional in guarding our most vulnerable spiritual areas. Proverbs 4:23 urges, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it,” reminding us that the heart is the core of our spiritual life, if compromised, everything else suffers. Ephesians 6:11 commands, “Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes,” emphasizing that partial protection is not enough; the enemy looks for any exposed area to strike. Have we allowed the enemy to put his yoke or sceptre in any of the vulnerable areas of our lives? If so, it’s time to break that hold and reclaim those areas for God. As Psalm 125:3 declares, “The sceptre of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous,” we are reminded that any territory in our lives surrendered to the enemy is not his to keep. Let us rise up, examine our hearts, and take back what rightfully belongs to God.

Just as military leaders had to adjust their thinking to protect the most vulnerable parts of their planes, so we must prayerfully examine and guard the hidden or neglected areas of our hearts. Do we overlook our private thought life? Our emotional wounds? Our unforgiveness? These are the areas Satan often targets, not the already tested parts, but the parts that, if hit, could cause spiritual crash and burn. Let us ask the Holy Spirit daily to search us (Psalm 139:23,24) and help us reinforce the areas we’ve ignored, so we not only survive the battle but overcome in Christ.

Repent, before it's too late.

The Kingdom of God is not just near, it is at the door.