Mouse In The House!

A well-known poem has a well-known line, “Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” I’m sure I never paid attention to that quote until this summer.

A slight rustling noise late one night led me to turn on my bedside light. Without my glasses, did I really see what I thought I saw?! Surely there’s not a mouse in the house!

Ever been there, done that? Calming my heart, tired and believing it surely was a mirage, I went to sleep.

A few days later, our pest control agent came for his quarterly visit. The family member at home at the time said just enough to cause the agent to place a small sticky trap under the sink, in case. He left two more for us to use if we needed them.

For good measure, we placed one of the sticky traps under my bedroom dresser. No further investigation or concern. After all, surely there wasn’t really a mouse in the house.

Trouble Confirmed

When it comes to trouble, we can never be too sure. It may rear its ugly head when you least expect it. That night I once again heard a slight rustling and hoped it was the AC hitting a plastic bag.

Switching the light on, I watched our unwanted guest dash towards the dresser, and just as quickly turn to scamper the other way and around the edge of the door. Investigating later, I found the sticky trap flipped on its side. I think I surprised the mouse by turning on the light. As he dashed to hide, he hit the unexpected trap, scared himself, and took off in the opposite direction.

Where did he go? What should I do? Now that I knew there was a mouse in the house, how was I supposed to handle the situation?

Addressing The Problem

People might address this problem in different ways. For one thing we cleaned. Everything. Nothing in my room escaped the vacuum, dust cloth, Chlorox wipes, lysol, or washing machine!

And we investigated further. The trap under the sink held no mouse, but we discovered the pest control agent should have looked more carefully when he placed the trap in the cabinet. We spotted evidence a mouse had been there and knew more cleaning was needed.

Every pot and pan was washed thoroughly and the area cleared of everything that didn’t belong. Chlorox wipes and lysol were once again our friends.

Making a trip to the hardware store, we bought steel wool and spray gunk to close the holes around the water pipes. Could we manage to tighten up the entryways into our home so no critters would enter again? We also bought more sticky traps, bigger ones. We wanted that mouse out of the house!

We called pest control and had them come help. The agent crawled under the house to put traps in the crawl space and added more traps throughout our living space.

We did everything we could to be sure the unwanted animal(s) could no longer bother us in our home. The idea of a mouse in the house was unacceptable!

What Do We Do When The Enemy Wants To Enter Our Home?

Before we could get rid of the mouse in our house, we had to know it existed. Similarly, we need to know a heart problem exists before we can deal with it.

The Psalmist said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). If we will walk closely with the Lord, His Spirit will show us what impurities lurk in the corners of our hearts.

Just as we came to realize there was a mouse in our house, often we as believers have evidence the enemy has slipped into our soul’s home, keeping us from the peaceful life Christ offers us. It may be fear or anxiety that dashes across our hearts. Or maybe selfishness or pride wants to take up residence in our souls. We may not recognize it at first. Surely we don’t have a mouse in our house, right?

It’s imperative that we stay close to the light of God’s word. He will show us when we have an unloving spirit or lack of faith that doesn’t belong in the heart of His children.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105

Once God has shone His light into our hearts through His word, and we see the sin trying to take up residence within, we need to let Him have His way in our soul.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

The word of God is living and powerful. When we fill our hearts and minds with Scripture, the Holy Spirit uses those truths to protect us from our enemy.

Fear Not

In today’s environment, it’s easy for fear to slap us in the face or anxiety to slip into our hearts. Both are sins. Our Father tells us repeatedly, “Fear not.” While there are many ways for us to show lack of trust in our Father, fear and anxiety top the list.

We can’t afford to let the enemy get his foothold into our souls. Christ offers His peace.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Whatever is happening in your world today, remember that we have a God who is above all gods. He is the Sovereign of the universe. He knows you by name and loves you with an everlasting love. As chaotic as the world is, He is still in charge. And as bad as things may feel, He is still good. Trust The LORD of Hosts.

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). When the enemy tries to enter your home, turn to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Let Him be the Pest Controller of your life.

Keeping our eyes on Jesus, let’s allow His light to shine on us. May He keep our hearts pure and clean, with no mouse allowed in our house!

(Scripture: KJV, Photos: Taken by Carolyn Thigpen, Georgia, July, 2022)