A Different Kind of Infection

A few Sundays ago, I worked in the nursery at church for the first time. One of the other workers came in and mentioned that she wasn’t feeling quite right. She said she felt like she might be coming down with something, but she didn’t want to leave us short-handed, so she came anyway.
Unfortunately, it turned out to be the beginning of a nasty virus that seems to be making the rounds everywhere right now.
About 35 hours later, I developed a very sore throat, followed by more than a week of sinus issues and a persistent cough. Normally, I don’t get sick very often, but this bug was a doozy. As soon as I started feeling better, my husband came down with it. Then other family members. It just kept spreading.
As I was doing my Bible study earlier this week, a thought came to me. Viruses are amazingly effective at what they do. Once they get inside us, they spread from cell to cell until they affect the whole body. Then they often spread to others around us.
What if we thought about the Holy Spirit that way?
Not in a harmful sense, of course, but in the way He works within us. When we invite Him into our lives, He doesn’t want to remain in just one small corner of our hearts. He wants to transform every part of us—our thoughts, our attitudes, our words, our actions, and our relationships. And when that happens, the effects don’t stop with us.
Love spreads. Kindness spreads. Joy spreads. Encouragement spreads. Faith spreads. The people around us begin to notice something different, and sometimes they catch it too.
I’m still going to eat my vegetables, wash my hands, and do my best to avoid the bad viruses. But my daily prayer has become this:
“Lord, let Your Holy Spirit so fill me that every part of my life is saturated with Your presence. Help Your love, kindness, and grace spread through me to everyone I encounter.”
The world doesn’t need more division, anger, or fear. It needs people who are so full of God’s Spirit that His goodness becomes contagious.
I hope that thought encourages you today as much as it has encouraged me.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I’m the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I’m passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to help others care well for their health and the bodies God has given us. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
June 24, 2026 Morning Brew
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