There we were, outside, enjoying the evening after the rain had stopped. It has happened before, the ant hills had been demolished by the rain showers, and the ants were on the move. We were unable to see the tiny little biting creatures, but they saw my baby’s feet. She didn’t understand the bites, she didn’t understand the pain, but what she wanted was an “an-daid” to help stop the itch.

Like Band-Aids on an ant bite, it’s really kind of silly to think we can cover up the “itches” in life. The itch is still there. The bandage just hides the swollen appearance. If anything, it just makes the bite harder to scratch. Perhaps it prevents more damage, but it’s not a solution to the itch.

Life’s itches…they are a heart thing. Why does stuff bother us? Why do certain things cause us to “itch” and become irritated? It’s what is going on deep inside…of us. Our heart needs treatment. Our itches need ointment. Deep, heart-penetrating treatment comes from The Word…reading it, studying it, meditating on it.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Mind renewal, perspective is the ointment. In your daily life, can you find just one of each of these things?

Something you love about today, just the way it is…

Something YOU could commit yourself to helping/improving…

Something you could pray about, a need, something BIGGER than you, a God-sized task…

Take note of at least one, but you can list many more. Consciously look for them, and write them down if you need to. There is no point dwelling on the things that we can’t change. Either set to making the difference yourself or pray and see how God can/will work in that area. Set your mind to search for the positive.

When the ants of life come out and bite…you know they will…put away the Band-Aids and start treating the itches the way itchy bites need treating.