The short answer – “yes.” God absolutely cares about the little things in our lives since He’s numbered the hairs of our head (Luke 12:7). From another perspective, if the nations are “as dust on the scales,” what is big to God? (Isaiah 40:15).
Let’s look at a few little things in our lives that matter to God.
1. God Cares about Little Worries
“Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6).
Don’t worry about – anything. Most of us allow a few worries to slip in like these: Will I be late; Will my child do well in this class? Did I make the right decision? After I spoke on worry, a young mother said, “It’s hard to see how worry is so bad. It’s not like murder or adultery.”
I reminded her that small choices add up over time. A shift of a few degrees in your attitude extended over five, 10, or 15 years makes you a different person than you could have been. When Hurricane Fran approached the East Coast, we thought Raleigh was safe. The weather reports said South Carolina would receive the brunt of the storm. However, North Carolina woke to high winds and crashing trees.
Out in the Atlantic Ocean, the storm had shifted only a few degrees north. That small change, extended over hundreds of miles, moved the storm to the middle of our state.
Most of us would resist being shoved off track, but we allow ourselves to be nudged off. How many marriages have gone cold because one or both parties became distracted? How many children feel neglected because their parents are preoccupied? God has good reason for forbidding worry. Even a little worry harbored every day can change our character and our relationships.
2. God Cares about Little Sins
“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren” (James 1:14-16 NASB).
King David stayed home from war (2 Samuel 11). One evening he saw a beautiful woman bathing. Instead of turning away, he watched. He asked his men to inquire about her. When he learned she was married to one of his 37 mighty men and the daughter of another, he still called for her. These seemingly little sins spiraled out of control ending in betrayal and murder.
I’m sure David never imagined lingering on that terrace that night would end in such disaster. Little sins ensnare us and take us to places we never wanted to go.
3. God Cares about Little Desires
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).
In the chaos of a tornado that ripped through our yard, my husband misplaced his comb. “Buy another comb,” I said. We had suffered thousands of dollars of loss; who cared about a 35-cent comb? Larry did. His late father had given him the comb in high school. Larry had carried it on his first date. This comb did more than part his hair; it housed treasured memories.
What gave this plastic comb value? How Larry felt about it. Maybe you believe your life’s details are unimportant to a busy God. Why would He bother with your small problems? He bothers because of how He feels about you. Larry experienced a special connection with his heavenly Father when he found his comb. Little desires matter because you matter.
4. God Cares about Little Prayers
“But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
A friend told me that early in his Christian pilgrimage he was bothered when people would ask for prayer over something he considered small, like the sale of a house. He reasoned that God expected us to take care of those things. After all, God had countries to manage. As my friend’s relationship with Christ grew, his views of God and prayer changed. He realized God wants us to ask Him for every need.
When you think about it, what is too small for God? He knows every time you sit down or stand up (Psalm 139:2). Or what could be too big when “the nations are like a drop in a bucket” (Isaiah 40:15)? Nothing istoo big or too small for our heavenly Father. If it concerns you, it matters to Him.
It delights me when God answers my trivial requests. Finding a parking place isn’t a life-or-death issue, but every time God opens up one for me in a crowded lot, my heart rejoices in my Father’s care. It’s one more way He shows me He cares.
As a parking place is not too small a request for Him, an unhappy relationship or broken past is not too big. Knowing this helps us pray with confidence. God hears and answers us in the best possible way.
5. God Cares about Little Disappointments
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
We can’t fully comprehend the purpose of our disappointments. But if God allows pain into our lives, we can trust He is using it for our eternal good.
When we arrive in heaven and see this life from God’s perspective, we won’t ball up our fists and say, “I knew you messed up with my life.” We’ll worship and say, “Wow! How did You do that? This is so much better than I could have imagined.”
So, by faith let’s worship now. Our stories are a small part of His great story. And like a good writer, the details He allows matter.
Drawing from her personal walk with Christ, 24 years as a Christian counselor, and decades as a Bible teacher, Debbie Wilson desires to connect people’s hearts to God and help them enjoy relevant faith. She is the author of Little Women, Big God and Give Yourself a Break. She and her husband Larry founded Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit counseling, coaching, and Bible study ministry. She enjoys dark chocolate, a good mystery, and her two standard poodles. Share her journey to refreshing faith at debbieWwilson.com.
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