Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

We’ve all heard the cliché, “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” but I am pretty sure that individually we would all define “small stuff” differently.  The Bible defines what small stuff is as well.  In fact, Jesus says something shocking.  He says, “Do not worry . . .” and then He enumerates on what I consider are the essentials of life. (Matthew 6:25-34).

It doesn’t matter if we’re poor and destitute, or if we’re affluent and prominent; food, water, and clothing are at the very core of our existence.  Shouldn’t this be at the very heart of our concerns and affairs?  However, Jesus declared, “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4) when He was hungry and was being tempted by the devil to make bread out of stones.  Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 in which God reminded the Children of Israel that He fed and clothed them miraculously so that they would know what was in their hearts.

When Jesus says, “Do not worry” in Matthew 6:25, He goes on to tell His listeners that the Father—“your Heavenly Father” has got your back, so don’t micromanage or meddle in His affairs.  Instead, Jesus says, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” and in the same breath says that all the things we think are essential “will be added to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).  If our hearts truly believed that God’s got us covered, what would our lives look like?