This is a question that many Christians wrestle with at some point in their walk with God. On one hand, we know that God is infinite, eternal, and all-powerful—the Creator of the universe who sustains all things by His word (Hebrews 1:3). That makes Him seem very big and distant. On the other hand, the Bible tells us that God cares intimately about each one of us as individuals. He knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30) and catches every tear we cry (Psalm 56:8). He is a God who is near and involved in every detail of our lives.
So how do we reconcile God’s transcendence with His immanence? Does God care about the small daily concerns that make up our lives? Here is what the Bible has to say about God’s care for the details of our lives:
1. God cares about our daily needs
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will eat, drink or wear because God knows that we need these things. He promises that if we “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” that “all these things will be added to you.” God cares about clothes and food and the basics of life. As Jesus said, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all” (Matthew 6:32).
Not only does God promise to meet our needs, He wants us to come to Him with our requests: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). We worship a personal God who invites us to bring our needs to Him.
2. God cares about our worries and fears
In addition to physical needs, God also cares about our emotional needs. First Peter 5:7 encourages us to “cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” The word for “care” in this verse means to be concerned about or to care for. God cares about the issues that keep us up at night and cause us anxiety. We can give Him our worries, knowing that He cares.
The Psalms repeatedly affirm that God is a refuge from our fears: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3); “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 62:5-6). We have a God who understands our fears and provides refuge and peace.
3. God cares about our pain and sorrow
Not only does God care about our needs and worries, He also cares deeply about our hurts. Isaiah 53:4 prophesies that Jesus would be “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Jesus identifies with our human pain and hurts with us. Hebrews 4:15-16 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The Bible repeatedly records God comforting His people in their affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). He keeps track of our tossings and wanderings, putting our tears in His bottle (Psalm 56:8). We can find comfort in knowing that God cares deeply about the details of our pain and wants to walk with us through it.
4. God cares about injustice done to us
Not only does God care about our practical and emotional needs, He also cares deeply about justice. Deuteronomy 10:18 says that God “executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” As believers, we can bring the wrongs committed against us to God, knowing that He cares about justice (1 Peter 5:7).
The book of Psalms repeatedly affirms God’s justice for the oppressed. “For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever” (Psalm 37:28-29). He upholds the cause of the oppressed (Psalm 146:7-9).
5. God cares about our personal struggles with sin
Most profoundly of all, God cares deeply about our struggle against sin. First Corinthians 10:13 promises that when we are tempted, God will provide a way of escape so we can endure. Hebrews 2:18 says that Jesus suffered temptation so He can come to our aid when we are tempted. God both sympathizes with our weakness and empowers us to have victory over sin (Romans 8:26-27).
Not only does God want us to overcome sin, He also forgives us when we confess our sins to Him: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He delights in showing mercy to sinners who recognize their need for His grace (Luke 15:10).
The Bible gives many examples of God forgiving and restoring those who sinned grievously but repented, such as David after his adultery and murder (2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 51) and Peter after denying Jesus (John 21:15-19). God cares intimately about both our struggle with sin and our repentance when we fail.
6. God cares about our service to Him
The Bible makes it clear that God also cares about what we do for Him. Jesus affirms the widow who gave a small but sacrificial gift, saying her gift pleased God more than the large donations of the rich (Luke 21:1-4). He compares His kingdom to a man who entrusts his servants with money and then rewards them according to their faithfulness (Matthew 25:14-30). Colossians 3:23-24 instructs us to work for the Lord wholeheartedly because we are serving Christ Himself.
Jesus took note of and commended Mary’s choice to sit at His feet and worship instead of being busy with other tasks (Luke 10:38-42). Our service to God, no matter how small it seems to us, matters to Him. He sees our hearts, our motives, and the sacrifices we make to honor Him. Even giving a cup of cold water to someone because he belongs to Christ will be rewarded (Mark 9:41).
7. God cares about our joy and happiness
God cares not just about our struggles but also our joys. He designed marriage and gave it to humanity as a gift to bring companionship and intimacy (Genesis 2:18). Ecclesiastes 3:13 tells us that it is God’s gift for us to “eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil.” Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding celebration so the festivities could continue (John 2:1-10). God wants us to experience not just life’s necessities but also its delights and pleasures.
In John 15, Jesus tells His disciples that He desires His joy to be in them and their joy to be full (John 15:11). He wants our lives to be marked by contentment and joy as we abide in Him. The fruit of the Spirit includes characteristics like love, joy and peace (Galatians 5:22). As we walk in step with the Spirit, He grows joy in our lives.
8. God cares enough to discipline us
Not only does God care about all the positive aspects of our lives, He also cares enough to discipline us when needed. Hebrews 12:5-11 explains that God disciplines those He loves, just as a good father disciplines his children. His loving discipline leads to righteousness and a harvest of peace and righteousness. It is a sign of His deep care for us as His children.
Revelation 3:19 says, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” God points out sin in our lives not to condemn us but to lead us to repentance. Because He cares, He will not let His children remain in their sins but graciously brings correction.
9. God cares about our growth in Christ
In addition to discipline, God cares about our growth in spiritual maturity and Christlikeness. Ephesians 4:11-16 describes how God gifted the church with pastors and teachers so we can grow into maturity in Christ. Second Peter 3:18 exhorts us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. God wants His children to grow into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).
Just as human parents delight to see their children grow and mature, God delights to see the growth of His spiritual children. Philippians 1:6 affirms that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” God initiated salvation in us and cares about completing His transforming work in our lives.
10. God cares enough to meet our deepest needs
Most profoundly of all, God cares about meeting our deepest spiritual needs. Ephesians 2:1-10 describes how God saved us out of His great love even while we were dead in our trespasses. He sent His own Son to die in our place so we could have new life in Christ. He cares enough to rescue us from sin and make us alive together with Christ—to save us and give us eternal life.
Jesus described Himself as a Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name, who lays down His life for the sheep, and who pursues sheep that wander and get lost (John 10). He showed His care by laying down His life on the cross to make forgiveness and new life possible. There is no greater display of God’s perfect care for the details of our lives than this—that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
God’s care encompasses every part of our lives
In summary, the Bible makes it clear that God cares immensely for each of us as individuals. His care encompasses every part of our lives—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. He cares about our joys and sorrows, needs and desires, successes and struggles. He cares enough to meet our needs, forgive our sins, hear our cries, guide our growth, and discipline us in love.
Most of all, He cared enough to send His own Son to secure our salvation at infinite personal cost. As 1 Peter 5:7 encourages, we can cast “all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Our infinite, almighty God is also a loving Father who is intimately concerned with every detail of our lives.