By Alison Feinauer
“Don’t skip the small stuff!”
What?
I thought it was “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
I read this phrase the other day and thought, “Wow – how profound in so many ways.” It’s the small stuff that makes the big difference. It’s all our little choices that make us who we are and who we are becoming. When it comes to our physical, spiritual, mental, financial and relational health, the little habits and choices add up.
Each of these areas impact each other and it’s the small stuff that really adds up. Your habits define you, like it or not. The habits that you have today will shape who you become tomorrow.
This really made me think about my life. For example, if I eat well, drink water, and get in movement, I usually sleep really well. If I sleep well, I’m not cranky or irritable, I don’t want to binge on TV, I want to get up and spend time with Jesus, clean my house and have energy to even encourage a few people. This bleeds into not pushing my husband away because I feel bad about my body. I find that I’m more gracious when things don’t go my way, and I actually want to go places because my clothes fit.
Personally, I haven’t been doing so well at these things lately. I’ve noticed the extra food I’m packing in my mouth when I’m not hungry because I’m tired and stressed, and then I want to sleep in and skip intentional time with God. I say I’ll fit him in later, then later comes and I’m overwhelmed and really angry with myself. This is where I’m focusing on myself.
I know I can’t do this alone. I’m asking God for help. I’m in desperate need of his presence and his Holy Spirit to guide, change my heart and lead me in the small ways. When I slow down and spend small time with God, it builds up. When I fix my eyes on Him, just that little turn of the head up, my focus changes and I’m different—better.
What is the small stuff you want to change? Just pick one and invite God into that change. He’ll lead us.
God, I repent because so many times I try to do things on my own. I haven’t been a good steward of the body you gave me and I’ve given in to my flesh. I want your spirit to lead me. I’m fully aware I can’t do this on my own. Come, Jesus, into the small parts of my life and heart and prompt me where I need to change a habit. I know I can do this with you as my guide. I’m all yours and want to please you in everything I do and say. Amen
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want” (Galatians 5:17).
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
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