Sometimes instead of looking up to see where you are going, you need to look down to see where you are stepping or to see what you are stepping into.

In Texas we have fire ants which are a very painful nuisance.

If you accidentally stand on a mound, it won’t be long before you know it.

Somehow these pesky critters stealthily swarm any exposed skin and signal attack at just the right moment, which results in several angry bites that sting and itch like crazy.

This happens to us in life too, when we are cruising along. Suddenly we’re attacked, plagued by various trials and under duress from all directions.

We are forced to swat down doubts and put our fires, besieged by all manner of fear, anxiety and distrust.

In a sense, spiritual “fire ants” attack us, catching us off guard, and we are unprepared to battle these pesky foes.

How can we avoid these spiritual fire ant mounds?

Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Pick up the lamp (the Bible).

“The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130).

Turn it on (meditate on it).

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Shine it in the direction you are walking (obey it).

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22 New International Version).

Read and obey God’s Word daily!

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28).

It sounds so simple, but it is a profound truth that will save you from many painful bites.

Friend, stick to His path, use the light of His word to guide you, and look down often, examining where you are stepping.