little things

I've been reflecting on the phrase "Delight in the Lord". I ONCE heard somebody break down the individual letters of the word "Delight" into a powerful thought - "Daily Everything Laid into God's Hands Totally." This perspective has been a helpful tool for me in navigating life’s ups and downs. One morning, I was driving to the office and feeling optimistic about the day ahead. I was full of hope and joy. When suddenly, unexpectedly, an old memory crept into my brain.

I recalled a recent situation that hadn't resolved how I had hoped. I had chosen to be vulnerable and share my feelings but was met with silence in return. That silence created disappointment. I felt let down after taking a risk and receiving nothing back—no feedback or acknowledgement.

In that moment, I realized how quickly my mood drastically changed from gratitude to a feeling of hurt. I took the posture of a victim in an instant.

It was crazy to see how fast my brain shifted gears. My whole outlook on the day changed in an instant.

There in the car, I took time to look at myself. Not to look at my face in the mirror, but to look at my mindset and how I reacted to the situation. Recognizing this brain shift, I decided to bring those feelings to the Lord – to Delight in Him. I expressed my gratitude for the good people involved in that situation, appreciating their positive contributions to life and others. They have many wonderful attributes. They are good people. We all deal with conflict differently.

We all approach conflict differently—we grieve differently, communicate differently, and seek solutions in our own ways. I remembered I'm no better than they are. This act of gratitude dramatically transformed my mindset, reinforcing the importance of turning to God with our cares, both big and small, instead of waiting until we feel overwhelmed.

It’s often easier to turn to God when our lives feel chaotic—that’s when He becomes our only option. Seeking help is simpler when we find ourselves cornered, at rock bottom, feeling trapped. Sometimes, it takes life's toughest challenges to introduce us to life’s best problem solver.

The Bible reminds us that we are not meant to carry our burdens alone. While I wholeheartedly believe in bringing our struggles to Jesus, I’ve noticed that we often only embrace that idea during times of crisis. However, on that morning drive, I realized how powerful it can be to address even the smallest concerns right away – when they first enter our thoughts. The little things—though they may seem trivial or silly—can disrupt our mindset and shift our perspective from gratitude to negativity, from optimism to pessimism.

I’m grateful that we can approach God with these small cares in real time, casting them before Him, trusting that He will uphold us. We don't have to bear our burdens alone; He will carry us through.