It’s the Little Things
Why small decisions shape who you're becoming.
We often imagine that what throws us off track in life are the big, dramatic moments—major failures, public blowups, or huge moral compromises. But more often than not, the thing that derails our spiritual and emotional life isn’t one massive event. It’s the little things.
It’s the subtle compromises.
The quiet justifications.
The feelings we push down.
The prayers we delay.
The “just this once” decisions that build momentum in the wrong direction.
Romans 6:13 (MSG) puts it this way:
“Don’t even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life…”
That verse stopped me in my tracks. Little errands. Paul’s not talking about rebellion or catastrophe—he’s warning us about the tiny, everyday decisions that slowly reconnect us to a life we’ve already been set free from. The kind of decisions that feel harmless but slowly reattach us to our old selves.
Because whether we notice it or not, the little things matter. In God’s eyes, they always have—because they shape who we’re becoming.
The truth is, we all pay attention to the big battles. The public ones. The obvious ones. But real transformation often happens (or doesn’t) in the quiet spaces of our day-to-day lives.
It’s in the subtle patterns—our tone in a conversation, our reaction in a moment of stress, or our habit of avoiding prayer when we feel overwhelmed.
In those quiet, in-between moments, we’re either drifting… or growing.
Here are three truths about the little things that help us see why they’re worth our attention:
1. Small Patterns Shape Big Outcomes
The little habits we ignore—like not checking our hearts, avoiding confrontation, or holding on to tiny offenses—can snowball into burnout, broken trust, or spiritual numbness.
Scripture gives us a picture of this in Song of Solomon 2:15: “Catch the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyard...” It’s the little foxes, not the obvious predators, that spoil the fruit.
2. God Cares About the Little Things
He’s not just watching the milestones of our lives—He sees the micro-decisions, the thoughts we entertain, the things we brush off. In fact, Jesus said: “Whoever is faithful with little will also be faithful with much...” (Luke 16:10) That means spiritual and emotional maturity isn’t just about how we handle crisis. It’s about how we handle Tuesdays. How we show up when no one’s watching. How we respond to that one text that hit the wrong nerve.
3. Little Acts of Surrender Lead to Big Breakthroughs
Sometimes we think growth comes from doing something grand or public. But often, freedom comes in a quiet moment:
Choosing to pause instead of react
Saying a prayer before a conversation
Owning a small emotion before it grows into a monster
These aren't throwaway moments. They're training ground for the life God is building in us.
If the little things matter so much, how do we handle them in a healthy, intentional, and Spirit-led way?
It starts with awareness. With surrender. With choosing God in the moments no one else sees.
And it helps to have a framework. Here’s a simple one I use to keep my heart aligned:
L – Listen to the Warning Signs
Pay attention to your internal emotional alerts. God often whispers before He shouts.
“Be still and know…” – Psalm 46:10I – Identify the Pattern
What small behavior or thought keeps showing up?
“Catch the little foxes…” – Song of Solomon 2:15T – Take It to God
Bring even your smallest thoughts, emotions, and habits to Him.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him…” – 1 Peter 5:7T – Turn from the Old Way
Don’t keep entertaining things God already rescued you from.
“Don’t even run little errands…” – Romans 6:13 (MSG)L – Let the Spirit Lead
Don’t let your feelings or impulses run your life—let the Spirit lead.
“Walk by the Spirit…” – Galatians 5:16E – Establish New Rhythms
Replace little compromises with little commitments.
“Whoever is faithful with little…” – Luke 16:10
The little things may not seem like much in the moment, but over time, they shape everything—your attitude, your character, your relationships, and your walk with God.
God’s not just looking at the big picture.
He’s present in the quiet decisions, the subtle shifts, the small steps.
So let’s invite Him into that space right now.
Prayer:
God, open my eyes to the small compromises I’ve been ignoring.
Help me take the little things seriously, knowing they shape who I’m becoming.
I want to walk fully in Your way, even in the quiet, everyday moments.
Make It Personal:
Take a few minutes to reflect and journal through these:
What’s one “little thing” you’ve been brushing off that God might be calling you to notice?
Can you think of a time when a small compromise led to a bigger consequence? What did you learn from it?
Which part of the L.I.T.T.L.E. acronym do you most need to apply right now? Why?
What small, consistent step can you take this week to stay aligned with the new life God has for you?
If this spoke to you, share it with someone who needs encouragement in the small steps. The little things might just be the big things in disguise.
