Who threatens to disrupt the peace in your life today? Your boss, spouse, friend, children, the clerk in the market, or the man who cut you off in traffic? How easy is it to grow irritated or angry as the day progresses, over the words, behaviors or attitudes of others? We picture their faces and hear their voices nag at us inside. We direct our unhappiness toward that person with an inner and maybe an outer growl. We feel justified in our irritation and put-off-attitude.

However, God’s Word points out at least two problems with this natural behavior. The first is that we are letting all those irritations steal our joy, a precious family heirloom gifted to us by Father. The truth is if we realize those disruptions in our life are temptations from the enemy we should “regard it all as joy…for you know that the testing of your trust produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

The second is that we are misdirecting our frustrations and anger. “For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.” (Ephesians 6:12) Be aware of your true enemy who hides behind the faces of those you encounter.  Look with your eyes open, “take up every piece of war equipment God provides,” (Ephesians 6:13) and focus on the real battle, not the people God has placed around you. “Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Don’t let it be you today!