Anting

Crows and many other birds engage in a behavior called “anting,” where they intentionally interact with ants, including landing on ant hills, intentionally get bitten by ants for a self-healing purpose.

When a crow feels unwell, it will often seek out an anthill, spread its wings, and remain still, allowing the ants to crawl over its body. The ants spray formic acid onto the crow, which helps to treat the bird’s ailments, control fungi, bacteria, and parasites that may be present. The crow knows in order to get better it must go through the pain inflicted by the ants.

We understand this concept of enduring pain to get better in the physical realm. If you want to lose weight you’ll have to endure hunger pains. If you want to build muscle you’ll have to endure the pain of training. If you want to have a baby you’ll have to endure all the pain that comes with it. 

Although we understand this in the physical realm, we seem to forget it in the spiritual realm. When we go through trials that put pressure on us. When the pain seems to be lasting longer than we’d like. When all we want is relief. This is when we forget that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 KJV). Not some things, not just the good things, but all things. Yes the trial, yes the heartache, yes the pain can work out for our good. If it makes us more like Jesus then it is for our good. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3 WEB). 

So don’t get disheartened by the things that are biting at you. They may be removing things that would harm you. They may be pushing you closer to Jesus. So endure the pain and know that you will fly again. 

Psalm 119:67 KJV Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.