Steve Alessi: Author of Alessi’s Angle, Pastor of Metro Life Church in Miami, Husband of World Renown Worship Leader Mary Alessi and Father of Four. 
I've been experiencing a little irritation around the house lately that's driving me crazy. As I sit and write my blog it's becoming more and more clear to me that part of this issue is reality and part of it is in my head, because I'm not sure if I'm actually feeling the little suckers or if my brain is telling me that I'm feeling them when they're not really there. I'm talking about sugar ants, and it feels like they're crawling up my arms as I type.
It started about a month ago with all the rains flooding the area and the little microscopic runts looking for a new home since their living rooms were flooded out in the yard. Now they've taken up residence in and around our kitchen, so about the time we sit down for breakfast they come out and join us. Even though we wipe down the counters real good the night before and shoot a nice line of Raid Ant Killer 17 around the base and corners of our counters, these little annoying socialite new friends just keep showing up, like a new neighbor that's just moved in cross the street. Sometimes it even seems they just fly in from some high vantage point and land on my arms and the only way I know they're there is the tickling sensation they cause as they navigate through the hair on my arms. And that's where it gets so irritating because I can't tell if the little guys and gals are out to sting me or just try to tickle me to death.
The reality is, I have a lot of little sugar ants trying to irritate me in life that a little shot of Raid can't eliminate either. Yes, there will always be the big, huge problems that have the potential to get me off my game. At the same time there's the little, minor, irritating nuisances that also cause me big headaches. The big things I seem to handle better since they're so obvious and standing right in front of me. Not that it's an easy fight, but at least I know who the opponent is and I see what I'm up against. But the little guys are also quite beastly.
When I was in college, I worked in construction on the side to help pay my school bill. One day we were laying down the base board in a house and I was responsible for cutting the base. As my buddy shouted out the measurements, I lined up the board on the chop saw, fired up the blade and brought it down to make the cut. As I did, I felt my left hand shake and then a second later noticed a small piece of my finger laying on the ground between my feet. Sure enough, I had sliced off the tip of my index finger, and off we ran to the emergency room to have the finger stitched up. For the next few weeks, I couldn't believe the discomfort that little cut on the end of my finger caused me. It wasn't as though I lost my hand or even the entire finger, but that little sugar ant had the capacity to make my life hell.
If the small sugar ants are causing you undue stress and pain, then hit them with your own dose of RAID:
R - Release it and don't let it get you all upset. It may be part of life's little challenges, but it doesn't have to wreck your world.
A - Address it and make the adjustments. If you can do something about the matter, then let the irritation get your attention and do what needs to be done. You just might be the better for it.
I - Include God at all times. Thankfully, you don't have to handle everything in life on your own. Ask God for an assist and you'll find He's there to help.
D - Determine to succeed in spite of the irritation. Nothing, let me repeat that, nothing can keep you from succeeding once you put your mind to it, so keep fighting and don't quit.
The wisdom of Solomon tells us that it's the little foxes that have the potential of spoiling the vineyards, but not this time. We're ready with our can of RAID.
Anything irritating you lately? How are you handling it?
Pastor Steve! Funny! I actually just had pest control in my home today because of sugar ants! arg!! And I also get the heebie-geebies thinking that they are crawling on me and usually they aren't. What a great idea, to look at this and see how it symbolizes my relationship with God. How many times do I let teeny-tiny little things rock my world? How can I put the little things in God's perspective?
This can of RAID is exactly what I needed, with sugar ants and the other little antsy things on my plate right now. The most important thing is that I don't let these little ants cause me to forget why I am here, to distract me from my purpose... which is to be a light to this world, and expression of God's love and an example of what a good can of R-A-I-D can do for you!
Thanks Pastor Steve!
Pastor I love this blog. I woke up this morning not only to find a sugar ant in my bed, but I had plenty of these creatures dancing in my head! When I picked up my daily devotional, the scripture was Leviticus 19:18 "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.". Then I read this blog and realized I needed both types of RAID to get me through the day. God is so faithful....
I never seem to lose sleep over the BIG THINGS, but put some ants in my life and watch me (literally) break out in hives! Thanks Pastor for your R-A-I-D prescription, one that I can apply to my life without any toxic side affects. What a great reminder to put things in perspective and to keep God in center of it all.
Yes, awesome! Will read this blog over and over until it sinks in. Bless you Pastor Steve. Dr. Idalmis Garcia, Aisha's mom.