The Small Stuff

We’ve all heard, don’t sweat the small stuff, which means we shouldn’t worry about little aggravations that sometimes upset us. I am reminded of the very first time I attended a Sunday school class. The lesson was about the small stuff. The teacher was a dear lady with three children and she was subbing that day for the regular teacher. She was a little nervous I could tell, but what she said has always remained with me.
She told us that Jesus cares about us and that includes what we think, need and how we feel. He wants to be a part…the most important part… of our lives so therefore we should go to Him with everything, even the small stuff. God wants us to include Him in every aspect of our lives. If we are mindful of His presence and our aim is to please Him, He will always guide and keep us on the right path.
We’ve all had days when everything seems to go wrong. The alarm didn’t go off, so you overslept, the dog chewed up your shoe, you misplaced your keys or the car wouldn’t start….any one of these things can make for a bad beginning to an otherwise good day…. two or more of them together and you know the day is shot. This is the time to take a deep breath, remember you’re not alone and ask God for help. Sure He might be busy saving a life or moving somebody’s mountain, but He still has time for you and the small stuff.
Sometimes these little frustrations have turned out to be life savers. How many times have we heard stories of people who missed a flight and the plane crashed? Little delays can sometimes be a blessing in disguise….and a quick prayer can help us to put our day back on track and avoid further frustration. Our first thought at the signs of trouble or any kind of upset should be to ask for God’s intervention. His presence alone calms the situation and our nerves so a positive reaction is more likely.
How we react to life’s little situations will determine our reaction to the big things too. If the smallest things upset you, try asking God to help with your attitude.
A friend of mine hit his thumb with a hammer and told his wife about it. “I was so disappointed in myself,” he said, “because the first thing I did was say a bad word.”
His wife smiled. “I’m sure God will forgive you, if you ask Him,” she said.
“Oh, I know. I did, but it just bothers me that that word came out of me and God heard it,” he said. “I really have to do better than that.”
How many times today do we hear bad words from people….and not because of a hammered thumb….just because it has become an everyday, accepted habit of so many. Some would wonder what do people who talk that way all the time say when they get upset? We really need to be more aware of how we act and who is listening when we talk. If you’re not happy with your reactions to little upsets and aggravations, ask God to help and the next time you might just be surprised. A willing spirit is all it takes for God to make amazing changes in our reactions to life.
We are all a work in progress and fall short many times, but God is quick to hear and answer our prayers. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He wants us to live in such a way that others can see Him in us. If we are to do this, it’s very important to include Him and ask for His help in dealing with the small stuff.