Anosmia. Olfactory fatigue. Nose blindness. All are terms used to describe the person whose sniffer isn’t working quite right. It could be the complete loss of smell or the diminished ability to detect scents and aromas. And since this is National Anosmia Awareness Day, it seemed only fitting to talk about it for our devotional.
Most of us have experienced this to some degree when we’ve gotten a cold or sinus infection. We grumble, “I can’t smell anything.” Part of the problem is that we can’t even inhale through our nose! One of the sure signs of COVID is that you lost your sense of taste and smell. Unfortunately for some, they only partially regain those senses.
Febreze introduced the term nose blindness to us in their commercials. People can live in a house with garbage overflowing, filthy bedrooms, and stinky clothes without noticing the stench. Someone else comes in and the smell just about bowls them over. The occupants have gone nose blind.
Ever wonder why a person can take a bath in perfume and cologne and not smell it while everyone else around them is gagging? What about the smoker who reeks of stale cigarette smoke but can’t smell it on their clothes, much less, their breath? And how about that person that can’t seem to smell the stench of their unkept indoor pets? Nose blindness. Olfactory fatigue. “When we are exposed to a smell constantly, like that of the perfume we are wearing, our nose gets used to the smell and stops noticing the smell. This is called nose blindness. Smelling something else might help you re-smell your perfume.”1 
You oftentimes don’t realize what a blessing it is to have this sense until it’s gone. I know an individual who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Ever since this happened, he can’t smell. At the time it happened, he was working a job where the sense of smell was an important and necessary tool. Without it, he felt like he went to work every day with a hand tied behind his back. He no longer is working that job.
Spiritual anosmia can take place in the family of God. 1 Corinthians 12:14-22 says, “For the body is not one member, but many. (15) If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (16) And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? (17) If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? (18) But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (19) And if they were all one member, where were the body? (20) But now are they many members, yet but one body. (21) And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (22) Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.”
Physically speaking, “when anosmia symptoms are prolonged or lifelong, many anosmics do not get to enjoy the flavor of foods, the scent of an infant or use their sense of smell as an early warning system for danger. Our olfactory sense has a powerful effect on memories and emotions. When we lose this sense, the impact is terrific.”2
The impact is even greater spiritually speaking in the body of Christ. The body of Christ can lose an eye, foot, ear, hand, or nose when a believer chooses not to be active, chooses to do less than their ability, or gets disgruntled and leaves. The actions of that Christian are selfish – they are thinking only of themselves and not the body in its entirety. However, the body is what suffers and must compensate for that which is lacking. Lose enough parts and compensation turns into a struggle to survive and function. 
Discouragement can overtake those who remain.
Many suffering from anosmia will have to deal with it the rest of their lives. No medical treatments are available to restore the sense of smell. The Christian, though, CAN do something about it. If you are suffering from some spiritual sense that is diminished, make Hebrews 12:12-13 your prayer and course of action today. “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; (13) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”
1https://www.scienceabc.com/humans/why-you-cant-smell-perfume-on-your-own-body-while-everyone-else-can.html
2https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/anosmia-awareness-day-february-27
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