“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet … to stir you up by putting you in remembrance.” 2 Pet. 1:12, 13.
“Many are deceived as to what constitutes a little thing. Little things have an important relation to the great whole. God does not disregard the infinitely little things that have to do with the welfare of the human family.” –Child Guidance, p. 12 9:2.
“Never underrate the importance of little things. Little things supply the actual discipline of life. It is by them that the soul is trained that it may grow into the likeness of Christ, or bear the likeness of evil.” –Id. pp. 129, 130.
“The secret of life’s success is in a careful, conscientious attention to the little things. God makes the simple leaf, the tiny flower, the blade of grass, with as much care as He creates a world. The symmetrical structure of a strong, beautiful character is built up by individual acts of duty. All should learn to be faithful in the least as well as in the greatest duty. Their work cannot bear the inspection of God unless it is found to include a faithful, diligent, economical care for the little things.”–Testimonies, Volume 4, p. 572:1.
“Christ in His life on earth taught the lesson of careful attention to the little things…. His ear heard every cry of need. He was awake to the touch of the afflicted woman in the crowd; the very slightest touch of faith brought a response. When He raised from the dead the daughter of Jairus, He reminded her parents that she must have something to eat. When by His own mighty power He rose from the tomb, He did not disdain to fold and put carefully in the proper place the graveclothes in which He had been laid away.”–Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 357, 358.
“The secret of success in every line of Christian effort and influence” is to give “faithful, conscientious attention to the little things.”-Id., p. 358:1.
“God’s work is perfect as a whole because it is perfect in every part, however minute. He fashions the tiny spear of grass with as much care as He would exercise in making a world. If we desire to be perfect, even as our Father in heaven is perfect, we must be faithful in doing little things. That which is worth doing at all is worth doing well. Whatever your work may be, do it faithfully. Speak the truth in regard to the smallest matters. Each day do loving deeds and speak cheerful words. Scatter smiles along the pathway of life….
“Christ does not commend them for the eloquent orations they have made, the intellectual power they have displayed, or the liberal donations they have given. It is for doing little things which are generally overlooked that they are rewarded.”–Messages To Young People, pp. 144, 145.
“You, my dear [reader], should educate yourself to faithfulness in small things. You cannot please God unless you do this.” –Testimonies, Volume 2, p. 310:1.
While it is important to cultivate the habit of giving careful attention to all the little things in life that will build symmetrical characters, it is also important to realize that there are times when we must overlook little things that happen in our lives. What are the little things that we should not concern, vex, or perplex our souls with in everyday living? They are the little annoyances, trials and difficulties, to name a few. How often in many households “little annoyances into grievous trials” (3T 335), which result in quarreling, bitterness and even fightings which grieve the Spirit of God. How must angels weep when men and women excuse themselves that they must give attention to these little petty trials in their lives, and by this they justify their tempers and other unholy actions. Says the True Witness: “Dear Friends: I have been shown that as a family you experience much needless unhappiness. God has not designed that you should be miserable; but you have taken your minds from Jesus and centered them too much upon yourselves. The great sin of your family is that of needless repining over God’s providences; your unsubmissiveness in this respect is indeed alarming. You have magnified small difficulties and have talked discouragements too much. You have a habit of draping everything about you in mourning and have made yourselves unhappy without cause. Your continued murmurings are separating you from God.” –Testimonies, Volume 5, p. 309:2.
“The true Christian will be Cheerful. –Do not allow the perplexities and worries of everyday life to fret your mind and cloud your brow. If you do, you will always have something to vex and annoy. Life is what we make it, and we shall find what we look for. If we look for sadness and trouble, if we are in a frame of mind to magnify little difficulties, we shall find plenty of them to engross our thoughts and our conversation. But if we look on the bright side of things, we shall find enough to make us cheerful and happy. If we give smiles, they will be returned to us; if we speak pleasant, cheerful words, they will be spoken to us again.” –The Adventist Home, p. 430.
“’Ye suffer your minds to be diverted too readily from the work of preparation and the all-important truths for these last days. And ye dwell upon little trials and go into minute particulars of little difficulties to explain them to the satisfaction of this one or that. ‘Conversation has been protracted for hours between the parties concerned, and not only has their time been wasted, but the servants of God are held to listen to them, when the hearts of both parties are unsubdued by grace. If pride and selfishness were laid aside, five minutes would remove most difficulties. Angels have been grieved and God displeased by the hours which have been spent in justifying self. I saw that God will not bow down and listen to long justifications, and He does not want His servants to do so, and thus precious time be wasted that should be spent in showing transgressors the error of their ways and pulling souls out of the fire.” –Early Writings, pp, 119, 120.
