Colleague’s Corner: An Ant’s Outlook

Tonka sits ontop of about 100 disgaurded hospital gowns and blankets that are being donated to the humane society Tuesday. Humane society employee Darlene Brown stands in backround with other cat, Jaxx. (Luisa Porter/ Dispatch Staff)

Have you ever wondered why God made ants? Well, have you ever watched an ant at work? Ants are diligent, working together collecting food and building fortresses, never giving up. They’re not worried about what they can’t control; the next flood that comes their way after you wash your car; the next earthquake that destroys their mound when your dog runs through the yard; the next chemical disaster that occurs when you spray the yard. It doesn’t really matter because ants will endure. A few weeks later you’ll see them again building homes and storing up food for their colony. They must have read Galatians 6:9 (NIV) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

We could learn something from these small creatures. Ants would never survive if they tried to control everything around them. They aren’t concerned about what other ants are doing. When we worry about change and what’s going to happen next, all we are really doing is trying to control others and our environment. It’s a symptom of not trusting God. This stifles growth and prevents you from being happy. You must let go and let God.

Facing ourselves and owning our situation can be difficult. Sometimes, looking at the smallest things helps us to understand the big picture. If you feel anxious because you feel out of control, realize that ultimately none of us is in control. God is in control and that is exactly how it should be. Job 12:10 (NIV) “In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”

[author image=”/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/kimridley.jpg”]Mississippi author Kim Ridley has been a nurse for more than 30 years and is a nurse recruiter for Baptist Memorial Health Care. She the acquisitions editor and owner of Little Roni Publishers. She’s always been known as the one with too much energy. These days she funnels her exuberance and liveliness into her novels and hiring the best in nursing.[/author]