Mike Force Podcast – "PTC: Don't Fall for the BAIT"

Host: Mike Glover
Date: February 1, 2026

Episode Overview

In this reflective episode of Preaching to the Choir, Mike Glover delves into the challenge of dealing with personal attacks, adversity, and betrayal—encouraging listeners not to "fall for the bait" of retaliation. Mike shares personal anecdotes about recent struggles, draws connections to spiritual wisdom, and urges stewardship of one's energy and focus. The tone is direct, honest, and rooted in his Christian faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Struggles and the “Seasons of Life”

• Mike opens by sharing that he’s been sick for a week and reflects on how being sidelined from regular activities gave him time to contemplate life’s recurring challenges.
• Quote:
  • “Life is like the flu season, except many of us… have an expectation we’re going to get sick during flu season. ...But we don’t think that way when we’re thinking about our life and the challenges we face.” (03:10)
• He likens life’s hardships to the inevitability of catching the flu—expecting adversity, especially in the face of transitions or personal attacks, leads to greater emotional resilience.

2. Retaliation vs. Stewardship of Energy

• Mike uses his signature “marbles and Mason jars” analogy to stress that time and energy must be protected for what matters most—faith, family, and purposeful work.
• He warns against pouring energy into responding to attackers or detractors, defining real strength as refusing to retaliate.
• Quote:
  • “That energy is reserved for your family. That energy is reserved in being present. That energy is reserved for the work God has put directly in front of us, not for anybody else. ...That’s not indifference. That’s what we call stewardship.” (04:38)

3. Understanding the Source of Attacks and False Allegations

• Mike challenges the assumption that loud or persistent people are acting from strength:
  • Aggression often reveals desperation, insecurity, or a need to distract from personal failures.
• He highlights patterns where individuals who loudly demand virtue in others secretly live in contradiction, burning bridges and justifying infidelity or deception.
• Quote:
  • “People who are secure don’t obsess. ...People living in truth don’t need to destroy someone else to feel stable.” (07:25)
  • “Aggression usually comes from desperation, from someone trying to outrun their own choices.” (08:06)

4. Spiritual Teachings on Truth and Accountability

• Scriptural references reinforce Mike’s points on stewardship, truth, and resisting vengeance:
  • “Scripture says, teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (05:22)
  • “Scripture says the wicked flee, though no one pursues. That’s not power. That’s fear. It’s insecurity.” (08:35)
  • “Be sure your sin will find you out. Not because someone exposes it, but because the truth has weight, has consequence.” (10:01)
• Mike encourages relinquishing the desire to “bring things to light,” stressing that’s God’s domain and that “truth and character will expose themselves.”

5. Choosing Silence and Focus Over Retaliation

• He asserts that silence is a sign of confidence and faith, not weakness—remaining fixed on core responsibilities demonstrates obedience, not avoidance.
• Quote:
  • “God doesn’t need our help revealing the truth. Patterns reveal themselves. ...Our job is to stay clean, stay clear, stay conscious to our faith while it all unfolds. Silence isn’t weakness; it’s confidence. Focus isn’t avoidance; it’s obedience.” (12:10)

6. Final Encouragement & Takeaways

• Mike emphasizes investing energy into raising children and living righteously, rather than defending one’s reputation.
• He concludes with reassurance:
  • “Let God handle what doesn’t belong to us. ...It’s not up to you, it’s up to Him. Praise God. Spend time with your families and I love you guys.” (14:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why not to retaliate:
  • “Retaliation puts us in a role that isn’t ours. ‘Do not repay evil for evil. Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.’” (11:27)
• On wasted energy:
  • “We won’t waste our energy defending ourselves to committed people that are misunderstanding us. Our time is better spent raising our children, living righteously, doing the work God placed in our hands today.” (13:05)
• Reflection as a necessity:
  • “Saying it out loud is an asthma check I desperately need. It’s not up to you, it’s up to Him.” (14:14)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00-03:10 — Mike’s illness, recent experiences in Colorado, setting up context
• 03:11-05:22 — Reflection on the inevitability of hard seasons; marbles & Mason jars analogy
• 05:23-08:35 — Attacks as projections of weakness; scriptural wisdom
• 08:36-11:26 — Patterns of duplicity, infidelity, and avoidance; truth’s inevitability
• 11:27-13:05 — The call to avoid retaliation; focusing energy on faith and family
• 13:06-14:30 — Concluding encouragements, practical application, final prayerful wishes

Conclusion

Mike Glover delivers a candid reminder to not fall for the bait of retaliation, but instead to stay rooted in faith, stewardship, and truth. The episode offers encouragement for anyone facing opposition or betrayal, blending personal vulnerability with spiritual direction. Mike urges listeners to focus on what they can control—faith, family, and purposeful living—and trust God with the rest.