Watch Out for ANTs!
This past weekend, our deputation journey led us to the panhandle of Florida. Yes, we were in Florida in August. Yikes! But it gets worse. Because of all the COVID restrictions, our first service was a drive-in service. The congregation arrived in their vehicles, where they stayed for the entire meeting, listening to the message via FM radio. However, those involved in the service like Jason, who did the preaching, and the special music (another lady and myself) were on the front porch of the church building. Let me tell you, it was hot! Fortunately, once my solo was finished, I returned to the RV and sat inside in comfort. Jason didn’t have that opportunity, bless his heart!
Oddly enough, it wasn’t the heat that gave me the most trouble. It was the ants. Yes, the yard of the church was covered in hundreds (if not thousands) of little anthills. That would be fine if the ants would mind their own business, but no, they weren’t content to do that. Instead, they insisted on climbing inside my shoes and anywhere else they could get. On top of that, they bit. Mean, nasty little bites. Stinging, throbbing bites that would later swell and blister. Did I mention how much I dislike ants?
That evening, I was reminded of another type of ANT I despise. These ants are ones I battle regularly. They pop up here and there all the time. I swat them away, and they return. I look for means to deter them, but so far, I’ve been unsuccessful at keeping them at bay for long. These ANTs are Automatic Negative Thoughts. You know, those thoughts that seem to come from nowhere yet cause your stomach to turn inside out. The “what ifs” that steal your sleep. The worst-case scenarios that make you fear, well, everything. Even those nagging ideas of all the things we should do or be that leave us feeling guilty and out of sorts. We don’t plan them. We don’t invite them. They just crash the party and make themselves at home. Pesky ANTs!
So, what can we do? For those of us who suffer from ANT invasions all day every day, is there hope? Thankfully, yes, but it will require time and effort on our part. If you’ve ever tried to get rid of ants in your home (particularly the kitchen), you know it’s more complicated than just spraying a little insecticide or putting out a few traps. That being said, there are healthy ways to deal with the ANTs in our lives.
I did some research to find out what the leading psychologists recommend for ANT extermination, and ironically enough, their advice lines up with the Bible. That just goes to show God’s Word has all the answers we need.
The first step is to meditate. In many eastern religions, this involves emptying the mind, but that’s not the meditation I’m talking about. I’m referring to the type of meditation where we turn our thoughts upward. Instead of focusing inwardly on our problems and fears, we focus on the Lord, who is faithful and true. We fill our minds with thoughts of who God is and what He can do. We allow His Word to come alive in our hearts and minds as He speaks to us through the pages of Scripture. It’s hard to be bogged down with ANTs when the Lord Himself is first and foremost in our thoughts.
Secondly, we can practice an attitude of gratitude. It’s challenging to be thankful when ants ruin our picnic, but we must learn to see past the ants (or ANTs in this case) and focus on what is good and right. The weather is still lovely. The company is excellent. The food is tasty. Look for something. . .anything to be grateful for. Be thankful for the ability to get out of bed this morning, for a refreshing coffee (or hot tea if you’re like me), for the family gathered around, for the dog snuggled at your feet, or the birds singing outside your window. The more we fill our minds with what is good in life, the less space there will be for the ANTs.
While we may be vigilant with the first couple of steps, there will still be a few ANTs who make their way through. That’s fine. Accept it, but don’t let them pass by unrecognized. Examine each one, and run it through the filter of Philippians 4:8.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
If any ANT doesn’t fit within those guidelines, confront it. Don’t get mad or upset. Don’t freak out or be ashamed. Just kick it out. . .forcefully. Sometimes, that means verbally shouting, “Go away!” or “Not today, ANT!” It may involve reframing the thought into something positive. For example, instead of thinking, “I’m such a loser. I missed the gym again today,” say, “I didn’t get to the gym today, but I’ll do my best to get there tomorrow.” It’s amazing what a gentle shift in perspective can accomplish. It’s a lot like changing the channel on the TV. If you don’t like what’s on, you don’t have to sit there and deal with it. Change the channel!
Lastly, we need to get busy doing something. ANTs give me the most trouble when my mind is idle and allowed to wander. When I’m actively writing or working on other ministry needs, I don’t have as many problems. We’ve all heard the saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” So, let’s get busy. It doesn’t even have to be work. It can be pleasure reading, playing a game with the kids, chatting with a friend on the phone, or praying. The key is not to allow an opening for those pesky ANTs to come in and set up camp. After all, they’re far more trouble than they’re worth!