When to Sweat the Small Stuff

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Sometimes an expression or truism takes off in our culture and morphs into something way more than the person who coined the phrase ever intended. For example, it happens with brand names all the time. Use of the word Google is now commonly used as a verb instead of a proprietary brand name. People often ask for a Kleenex rather than a tissue. Words as common today as a zipper, trampoline, and dumpster were all once brand names. In the advertising industry, this evolution from a unique brand name to a commodity category is called a propriety eponym, or a generic trademark. I think this phenomenon represents the greatest irony in all of commercialism because every company, organization, or charitable cause longs to have its flagship brand or product become so popular that it becomes a household name. When something becomes so successful that virtually every American has tried it, owns one, or supports it, then the provider of whatever it is has reached the pinnacle of success. But then irony steps in and radically alters that picture of success when the popular thing becomes so ubiquitous that virtually no one recognizes its uniqueness anymore.

The same paradox occurs with famous expressions and adages, but with one very powerful and often dangerous difference — it doesn’t only morph into a widespread, unattributed cliche, it eventually becomes a culturally accepted excuse. While these buzzwords, mottos, and quotations have their genesis within the realm of a specific incident or application, they quickly explode outside of their originally intended use. Think about sports idioms and analogies. Some clever commentator or coach frequently starts using a catchy remark in the ballpark or on the field, and before you know it the rest of the country is repeating it as a sports metaphor that applies to the arenas of business, politics, and general culture. Often what was intended as a memorable or funny way of summarizing a motivational concept or crystallizing a compelling truth, becomes so commonplace that people start to see it as a societally acceptable way of dismissing or laughing off something that actually should be addressed or managed.

And so we come to the incredibly relevant and well-meaning expression of “don’t sweat the small stuff.” First let me say, the original intent of the phrase when used in context is spot-on: We shouldn’t overreact to common occurrences and get ourselves all worked up over things that don’t have lasting significance. And just a quick side note … Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t the series of books of the same name by Dr. Richard Carlson that launched the use of the phrase. Developed as a motto for stress reduction techniques, the statement was first coined by a cardiologist named Robert S. Eliot in 1983 when being interviewed by Time magazine in an article about the rising stress levels of Americans. Over the last four decades, the work of both Dr. Eliot and Dr. Carlson has effectively raised our collective consciousness of the need to let go of the things we can’t change and let life’s irritations and frustrations roll off our backs instead of internalizing them as mounting rage or bitterness in our hearts.

As true and necessary as the concept is behind the expression of not sweating the small stuff, the ubiquitous phrase has indeed reached the level of saturation where even followers of Jesus can fall prey to using it as an excuse. And as it goes with all excuses, people tend to use them when it’s convenient for their circumstances or particular weaknesses, rather than applying the truth behind them as it was intended. Unfortunately, I’m the perfect example of this. I get frustrated, impatient, and worried at some of the “smallest” inconveniences and delays in life, yet I am the first one to reach for God’s grace with a comparably small sin or so-called harmless bad habit. And I know it’s not just me that struggles with making excuses for what most of us view as minor or trivial missteps or disobedience. Sometimes, as Christians, we fall prey to the enemy’s lie that the endless flow of God’s grace excuses us from whatever we’ve deemed in our own hearts and minds to be insignificant. And goodness knows, none of us wants to endure the discomfort of re-examining what we’ve previously determined to be a small matter, since it might make us question a much longer list of weaknesses. And this insidious and commonly accepted lie is only further entrenched when those we place in high authority or esteem are just as dismissive of what our culture deems as little sins or inconsequential habits. Or, when they go to the other extreme and only address the most societally maligned, morally egregious, or significantly harmful sins among those God has given them to shepherd and encourage.

The reality we all need to face, however, is that Jesus does indeed sweat the small stuff and His Spirit living inside of each believer won’t be satisfied with 90 percent obedience. Not even 99.5 percent. We can take one glance at the Gospel accounts of His interactions with the religious leaders of the day and immediately realize that God is asking for perfection. Matthew 5:48 states simply: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Jesus knew when He said it that no one can be perfect of their own accord. No human could possibly sweat 100 percent of the small stuff to live a life of consistent obedience in everything. No one, except Jesus, of course. His blood, sweat, and tears poured out for us so that we don’t have to do so, that is the utterly beautiful and incomprehensible outcome of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. When we think of it that way and recognize His Spirit dwelling inside of us, then how can we not feel the weight of love, which is trying to seep into every pocket and corner of our being? How can we not see that every detail of our lives and every desire of our heart should submit to His plan for His glory alone? When we hold back a piece of ourselves — even something that is not in and of itself a sin — we are not yielding to the Spirit who, by His very nature, will seek to sweat out everything in our lives, from the so-called big things to the tiniest grains of mistrust and self-centered ambitions.

Oswald Chambers, author of My Utmost for His Highest (my favorite devotional of all time), once said, “You were looking for a great thing to give up. God is telling you of some tiny thing; but at the back of it lies the central citadel of obstinacy: ‘I will not give up a right to myself’ — the thing God intends you to give up if you are ever going to be a disciple of Jesus.” This sounds so extreme, doesn’t it? It feels so heavy and burdensome. But Oswald further explains the power and role of grace: “God does not ask us to do the things that are easy to us naturally; He only asks us to do the things we are perfectly fitted to do by His grace, and the cross will come along that line always.”

I have no idea what your tiny thing is. Personally, I have lots and lots of tiny things. On any given day, at least half a dozen tiny things distract me from surrendering, fully loving, and obeying Jesus. And that’s on a very good day. But the same Spirit who moves in my heart to trigger conviction about tiny things is the same Spirit who covers me in grace through the blood of Jesus. With that kind of outpouring of love, I am praying that God helps me respond with a heart of surrender, ready and willing to allow the Spirit to keep revealing, convicting, and removing anything that is more comforting, more important, or more motivating than Jesus is in my life.

So, should you sweat the small stuff? Well, the second part of Dr. Eliot’s original motto often gets left out. The full statement ends with, “And it’s all small stuff.” In other words, his advice as a cardiologist is that you need to learn how to let everything go. Don’t sweat anything, because doing so is never helpful. That’s because every little thing can be stressful if we allow it to be or perceive it to be. Stress is our reaction to a situation. As hard as it is to believe, freaking out, erupting in anger, worrying, being short with people, or becoming exasperated is not actually a requirement to solve any problem. None of our natural reactions like those are helpful. They don’t do anything to help us achieve Jesus’ command to love God with all our hearts, minds and souls. Nor do they help us love others.

On the other hand, nothing about us or what we do is small to God. It all matters to Him. But the great news is Jesus will take care of sweating the small stuff for us. Only He can do it the right way. However, we have to stop using excuses to prevent His Spirit from penetrating, revealing, and dealing with any little things that get in the way of being fully used for His glory.

Over the next several days as you ponder this topic, the most important thing is to be transparent with the Holy Spirit. Jesus already knows about your tiny things anyway. But the Spirit won’t force a change in you until you’re willing to loosen your grip on the covers concealing them or the rebellious streak that attempts to hide them. Here are some powerful Scriptures to meditate on and journal about in the days ahead. As you listen to them, think of them as mirrors on your soul. When you hear them, what do you see in your life? That’s the Holy Spirit searching your heart and preparing you to receive God’s instruction.

Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Romans 6:1-4 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Colossians 2:8-10 “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Matthew 11:26-29 “Yes, Father, your plan delights your heart, as you’ve chosen this way to extend your kingdom—by giving it to those who have become like trusting children. You have entrusted Me with all that you are and all that you have. No one fully and intimately knows the Son except the Father. And no one fully and intimately knows the Father except the Son. But the Son is able to unveil the Father to anyone He chooses. Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to Me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in Me.”

I usually provide a five-day devotional guide as a companion for every podcast, but this week, instead, I want to encourage you to revisit each of the verses I just read and spend time in prayer with each one. If there’s a verse that just won’t leave your thoughts, then commit it to memory and spend some time writing down both the small and big stuff that is stirred up in you when you read that passage. Take some time to simply sit still in the presence of Jesus and let Him sweat out the small stuff in your heart, mind, and soul. The more He clears out what doesn’t belong there, the closer you’ll be to loving Him with every corner of your heart and not just carefully selected pockets of your life. Our God is big enough to care about even the smallest details of your life. And the more of you, you give back to Him, the greater His presence will be in every aspect of your being.

Five-Day Devotional Guide For Further Reflection and Daily Spiritual Journaling
These readings from today’s message can be used for a single-day study or your daily quiet time throughout the week. Before you begin reading the passage for each day, spend some time asking God to open your heart to His truth and hearing His voice.
Day 1 - Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Day 2 - Romans 6:1-4 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Day 3 - Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Day 4 - Colossians 2:8-10 “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”
Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Day 5 - Matthew 11:26-29 “Yes, Father, your plan delights your heart, as you’ve chosen this way to extend your kingdom—by giving it to those who have become like trusting children. You have entrusted Me with all that you are and all that you have. No one fully and intimately knows the Son except the Father. And no one fully and intimately knows the Father except the Son. But the Son is able to unveil the Father to anyone He chooses. Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to Me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in Me.”

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