The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Yesterday, Billie Jo wrote an article honoring the late Elisabeth Elliott. She spoke about living a life of faith, one such as characterized by Elliott. But one quote in particular stuck out at me:
“If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things.”
You see, this is the very hardest thing for me. I’ve known that for a long time–my willingness to trust God with eternity, and fearfulness to trust Him with tomorrow.
Take a peek at my thoughts:
“Sure, God. I know you can heal cancer, take me to Heaven, deploy angels, perform miracles, turn water into wine, change hearts, walk on water and even move on my spirit bringing joy, peace and hope. And I thank you for that.
But God, I’m not really sure that you can help me with body image. I don’t know that you’re all that interested in my decision about whether or not to get a dog. I’m probably on my own when it comes to deciding if I should go to that event next weekend and what I should say to my co-worker who really hurt my feelings.”
Can you identify?
So you can see why Elisabeth’s quote hit close to home. But then, God turned it on its head.
“He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much” (Luke 16:10).
While I have difficulty trusting God with the little things, He is pleading with me to simply start there. When He finds me faithful to listen to Him concerning these little things, then He can invest me in big things.
The beauty of it is that the beginning is the same. The kernel of my faithlessness is the small things; the starting line of His plans for me is the little things.
God is asking me to dig deep, to plant that mustard seed of faith–tiny as it is–in the littlest situation. Then, if that soil is fertile and I truly believe in the God of the Universe, I will find He cares about the little things. And, when I get my footing in the little things, my faith will begin to grow and God will send me out into greater things for His glory.
What little things do you have trouble trusting God with?
So many challenging things she had to say! I love this too. The little foxes of Song of Solomon come to mind for me…it is the little stuff that trips me up. With my back against the wall, I will trust. Choosing to trust instead of “do” when I can see something the ‘might’ work is SO hard. There are so many little things I can thing of: eating, working, house hunting. I join you in this seed planting. Love youn Abby!
Billie Jo, Just this morning God brought another “little” thing to mind that I could worry over constantly. Through bringing me back to something he taught me before (even had me write about) he has confirmed to me that I can and must trust him. Love
I feel like I trust God with just about everything because I know I am utterly useless without Him. There are a couple things I’m having trouble “stepping out”in faith with though.
– But I’m asking for help and I TRUST He’ll get me there. Right now, my lack of faith in myself and awareness of my shortcomings, is bigger than my trust that He can overcome them.
Melinda,
I think that’s the best and most painful place to be. Lot of tears–first of fear and finally of joy!
I realized that I had no trouble believing God in the little things. However, I find it difficult to believe that God would take care of a job situation I am praying for. Then I realized that God can take care of the big and little things. He controls all. It’s me that needs to change and stop fearing. He has me in the palm of his hands. There is no weapon formed against me.
Yes, Mary, you’re absolutely right. When we pause long enough to take in the magnitude and majesty of our God, fear disappears–His perfect love casts it out.