Don't sweat the small stuff.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. 

This needs to be my mantra. So many times I have allowed myself to get upset over things that don’t even matter. Instead of releasing minor irritations as soon as they arise, I tend to hold onto them and think about them throughout my day. In doing this, I allow the enemy to steal my peace through my own negative thoughts. Notice I used the word allow. The enemy can’t steal our peace unless we allow him to take it. 

We can teach ourselves to release irritations as soon as they occur. Right away we can seek the truth and the level of importance on the situation. How often do we give up our peace and joy over something so small, and make something important that is really not important? 

Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

The enemy uses our thoughts to attack us. He wants us to take the small, inconsequential matters into our hearts so that we can nurture our heartaches. Anytime we embrace a grievance it grows. We can get ourselves worked up and actually create a hardship when there isn’t one. Therefore, when I notice myself getting upset by things I ask myself a few questions.

1. Is it true?
2. Is this important?
3. Is it worth my peace and joy?

These questions center me and help me to see the situation as it is, not how I have perceived it to be. During the times when everything and everyone is getting on my nerves, then I also use journaling, meditation, and prayer to help me to center myself again.

Frustrations and irritations are the work of our enemy. The sooner we can notice him, the sooner that we can ask God to help us to overcome him. 

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