Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
Don’t sweat the small stuff! Quite often I must remind myself of this principle when small matters begin to test my patience. Slow traffic, sketchy internet, untimely phone calls, demanding deadlines. In hindsight, these things were not worth getting upset about. But for some reason these minor inconveniences pile up and seem to mess up an otherwise good day. More times than not, it seems like once one thing goes wrong, everything else starts to unravel. Escalating into larger troubles. How about you? Does the little stuff in your day make you sweat?
Give Our Troubles To God
We are told that everything is small stuff in God’s eyes (1 Peter 5:7). That makes sense, I guess. When I am weak, He is strong, when darkness prevails, He shines the light, when I can’t carry my burdens, He does. So, if God can handle all my anxieties, why do I still sweat the small stuff? Then Paul adds that we must be anxious for nothing… and give our worries to God, (Philippians 4:6-7). Yet even though I know this to be true, why do I still sweat the small stuff?
What Would Jesus Do?
What do you think Jesus would do? Well scripture tells us He was troubled after His friend Lazarus died (John 11:33). When He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was overwhelmed with sorrow (Matthew 26:36-38). He was even upset after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem (John 12:27). When Jesus walked the earth, He too was troubled. This shows that if Jesus sweats the small stuff in His humanity, for sure we will continue to do so as well. The difference is He did not let these things overwhelm Him.
He faced each moment with boldness and courage even though He knew He would suffer great pain and even death. He knew the small stuff of the world would be short-lived and He fixed His eyes on a bigger picture. When He was troubled, He practiced what He preached and made His requests known to His Father with prayer and thanksgiving.
Jesus Will Help With Our Small Stuff
Because of this, He turns to us and says, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” And gives us the caring truth that apart from Him we can do nothing, (John 15:5). When we fight the good fight of faith, we can be better equipped to give the small stuff to Him (1 Timothy 6:12). Additionally, we can be assured He will help us when our day falls apart as we put on His armor (Ephesians 6:11). When we can give our small stuff to Jesus, then our troubles will not lead to bigger troubles. When we choose to let go of the small stuff and trust in God’s strength, we will find peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). Let’s remember to turn our worries into prayers, knowing that He cares for every detail… big or small… and will guide us through each day with grace and courage.
Dear Lord, help me face the small stuff with boldness and courage, by looking to you in everything I do. Amen.
1 Peter 5:7
Philippians 4:6
John 11:33
Matthew 26:36-38
John 12:27
John 15:5
1 Timothy 6:12
Ephesians 6:1
Philippians 4:7
— Phil
If you like, check out these Daily Devotions
Today’s Scripture
1 Peter 5:7
Shepherd the Flock of God
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:6
Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer
The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
John 11:33
Jesus Weeps
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.
Matthew 26:36-38
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”
John 12:27
The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.
John 15:5
I Am the True Vine
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Ephesians 6:1
The Whole Armor of God
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Philippians 4:7
Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.