Petty Little Things

You worked hard on that church event, but nobody recognized it. You aren't speaking to someone because you're holding a grudge over an offense that's so old it's growing mold. Your family wasn't personally invited to the fellowship (even though it was open to all), so you're considering changing churches. There is not one life-changing issue in this list of oversights, but it's often the little things that trigger big deals. Petty little things. Pettiness is a cause of many unnecessary disputes, leading people to have their days end poorly.

Are you allowing some small thing to keep you trapped in a swirling cloud of negative emotions? When we do this, we're being petty, and it hurts us and repels others. Pettiness is a lot like a flu virus; once you catch it, people don't want to get too close, and you will need to get over it before you can function again.

Pettiness comes when we allow minor issues to morph into major offenses. When we reach the age where we are (somewhat) free to indulge ourselves, we may stray into the zone of behaving like a toddler in a grown-up body, treating people any way we please. We may have our "favorites" who always get the best treatment, but then there are others who we feel free to snap at without a second thought. Are we dividing people into categories of those who are worthy of respect and those who fall somewhere below the bar of favor?

It's petty to categorize people when God has clearly stated "As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one..." (Romans 3:10)

It's petty to hold a grudge when we can forgive. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Mat 6:12) Withholding forgiveness increases our indebtedness.

It's petty to be angry because someone didn't do something our way. "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him." (Pro 18:17)

Pettiness is the art of making mountains out of molehills, often leaving a trail of wounded bodies in our wake. Thankfully, there is a cure. The Lord knew that we may struggle with this character flaw, so He left us instructions that gently nudge us away from our tendency to make felonies out of minor faults. A very essential word transforms our relationships for the better:

"Others."
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Phil. 2:3-4)

It takes thought and discernment to treat others with proper consideration, regardless of what they do or say. When we strip away the selfishness, pettiness fades.

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (Jhn 13:34)

Do you know what happens when we consider others before ourselves? Life becomes more enjoyable and less stressful as we remove the faulty measurements and love sacrificially.

Instead of being trivial, let's be bountiful in love and consideration. We don't have to allow petty little things turn us into petty little people.