While in the Easley, SC area for a couple of weeks, we spent a lot of time parked in the driveway at Jason's parents' house. They live in a quiet neighborhood, which makes it pleasant for sleeping. And their beautiful, shaded yard is an ideal place for Bible study, reading, and writing (not that I had much time for any of those).

What wasn't ideal, however, was a peculiar bird who seemed determined that our motorhome was her enemy. Day after day and night after night, she would fly into the windows. I assume she saw her reflection in them and perceived another bird was honing in on her territory. Whatever the case, she repeatedly flew full-force into the windows. It didn't matter which window it was. It didn't matter what we did to disguise them or hide them. That bird had it in her mind (or what was left of her mind after running into the windows so many times) that we were the enemy.

I guess I understand. I, too, tend to see an enemy where there isn't one. In difficult situations, instead of dealing with my frustration Biblically, I blame others.  

This person is responsible for the hardship in my life.  

She is to blame for this problem.  

If he had said this or hadn't said that. . .

If she had done what I asked her to do. . .

If I'm not careful, everywhere I turn, I see an enemy. A person who let me down. A person who didn't live up to my expectations. A person who didn't do things the way I thought was best. And let's not forget the God who allowed it all to happen. Indeed, He must be an enemy too. After all, what kind of loving Father allows their child to suffer so?

When life is hard, and we find ourselves with more questions than answers, it's easy to think everyone and everything is out to get us. We fear tomorrow. We question every motive and examine every statement. Like that crazy bird, we beat our heads against the wall, fighting against a perceived enemy while failing to realize the real enemy is watching from the sidelines, reveling in the fact that we're distracted from our calling.

There is an enemy out there, but we often fail to truly identify him, let alone accuse him. Instead, we complain to our spouses. We bark at our bosses. We scream at our children. We vent to anyone who will listen. We spend our days griping about the weather, the government, the bills, the house repairs, and a whole list of other things that are merely pawns in this twisted game called "Life on Fallen Earth."

Meanwhile, the enemy slips in unnoticed. Into our homes. Into our jobs. Into our relationships. And, yes, even into our churches. While we're busy fighting amongst ourselves, the enemy destroys our lives from within, sowing seeds of bitterness, anger, and malice.

Several years back, the phrase "Who's your daddy?" became popular in the media and, in turn, in everyday conversations. Today, I'd like to tweak that question and ask, "Who's your enemy?" Is it your spouse? Your boss? Your parents? Your children? Your pastor? Your coworkers? Your circumstances? Or, is it that ruler of darkness that would love nothing more than to keep you frustrated, irritated, on edge, and fed up with life?

We must identify the true enemy. Otherwise, we'll end up like that poor bird, having accomplished nothing more than giving ourselves a doozy of a headache and irritating those around us who genuinely mean us no harm.