Book Review: God Is In the Small Stuff

God Is In the Small Stuff Twentieth Anniversary Edition. Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz. 2019. 256 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: A popular book suggests that you don't worry about the small stuff. We agree, but we take exception to any idea that the small stuff isn't important. In fact, we want to encourage you to closely examine and cherish the seemingly everyday, ordinary circumstances of your life. Why? Because God is in the details of your life.

There are forty readings in this devotional-type book by bestselling authors Bruce & Stan. Each reading is SHORT and concludes with a proverbs-like list of inspirational fluff. Each entry focuses on a specific topic or theme. The readings are not necessarily related to one another--but sometimes they are. For example, there's a sequence of readings about parenting.

The authors' stated purpose for writing this one is: "to help you see God at His personal best. God created the universe, but He also created you. God knows you, God loves you, and God cares about the tiniest detail of your life."

The entries were devotional in nature. The authors may have refrained from calling these devotions instead using the word "essays" but they are essentially devotions.

Someone once said that you'll be the same person five years from now as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read. The idea is that you won't grow as a person unless you bring new (and hopefully positive) influences into your life. 

When you express yourself through writing, you reveal more about yourself than you ever could by talking, even if you aren't writing about yourself. 

The proverbs-y sections were hit or miss with me. Some I found thought-provoking. Some I found to be PURE fluff.

• The times when you need God the most are when you don't think you need Him.
• God won't take away a sin until you give it over to Him. 
• The way you think about God does not define Him.
• The person who looks up to God rarely looks down on anyone.
• Appreciate the commands of Scripture as much as the promises.
• A bible on the shelf is worthless; a Bible being read is priceless.
• If you must worry, worry about why you won't do what you should do.
• A wink delivers a powerful message, so be careful at whom you wink.
• Leave funny and enthusiastic message on answering machines and voice mail.
• What happens in you is more important than what happens to you. 

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible