Living for God: Devotions From Time of GracePavyzdys

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Psychologist Richard Carlson is given credit for this wonderful two-part advice on dealing with stress: (1) Don’t sweat the small stuff. (2) It’s mostly all small stuff.

Most of us find ourselves getting wound up over issues that, in the larger scheme of things, are not at all important. We want so badly to be right that we fry relationships to prove our point. We argue and argue, but to what end? We hold ancient grudges, but what’s the point? We assume that we are cursed, that we are doomed to have everything go wrong for us in the end. When we are looking for bad news, we can usually find it.

God has a better way. Just as he chooses to forgive us, giving fresh supplies of grace and mercy each morning, he invites us to show that same bigheartedness to the fools and sinners who surround us.

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11). We don’t have to be right all the time. We don’t have to point out every sin and flaw in the people around us. We can let go of the judging and trust that God will get it right in the end.

What matters is enjoying God’s love for us and loving the people around us.