Keep Your Peace: How to Tame the Enemy of Small Annoyances

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Not sweating the small stuff 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 of 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?

Philippians 4:8 KJV

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoeverthings 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.

The enemy uses our thoughts to attack us. He wants us to take 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.

Is it true?

Is this important?

Is it worth my peace and joy?

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

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

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