Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... Just Rejoice and be Glad!

Continuing our discussion from the last blog, we will look at the second book that has life lessons that seem to align with the Bible. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff....and it’s all small stuff is a book that shows you how to keep from letting the little things in life drive you crazy. Author Richard Carlson reveals ways to calm down and put things in perspective by making small daily changes, such as “Think of your problems as potential teachers”; “Remember that when you die your ‘In’-box won’t be empty”; and “Do one thing at a time.” He suggests you should live in the present moment, let others have the glory at times, soften your tough positions, trust your intuitions, and live each day as if it might be your last.

Dr. Carlson reveals ways to make your actions more peaceful and caring and your life more calm and stress-free. Carlson states: "Often we allow ourselves to get all worked up about things that, upon closer examination, aren't really that big a deal. We focus on little problems and blow them out of proportion. ... Whether we had to wait in line, listen to unfair criticism, or do the lion's share of the work, it pays enormous dividends if we learn not to worry about little things. So many people spend so much of their life energy 'sweating the small stuff' that they completely lose touch with the magic and beauty of life."

Here are a few of the points Carlson makes in his book:

• Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
• Let Others Have the Glory
• Practice Random Acts of Kindness

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - Be anxious for nothing and let go of the idea that gentle, relaxed people can't be super achievers.

• Psalms 37:11 (NKJV) - "But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." - Being Meek is having power under control.
• Proverbs 29:23 (NKJV) - A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
• Luke 14:11 (NIV) - For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
• Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Let Others Have the Glory - Give honor and praise to the work of others.

• Psalms 37:4 (NIV) - Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.
• Proverbs 8:30 (NIV) - Then I was the craftsman at His side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in His presence,
• Romans 13:7 (NIV) - Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
• 1 Peter 2:17 (NIV) - Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Practice Random Acts of Kindness - Do something nice for someone else - and don't tell anyone about it.

• Proverbs 12:25 (NIV) - An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
• Proverbs 21:14 (NIV) - A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
• Matthew 6:3-4 (NIV) - But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Carlson's book tells us "Don't Worry, Be Happy." By not focusing on the small things in life, which is just about everything in the overall scheme of things, letting others take the credit instead of wanting all of the attention ourselves and being kind and gentle without expecting anything in return, we will lead a happier, more fulfilling life. We will look at the final book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, in a future blog.

Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.