--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A small step, in the midst of great human…" description: "\"A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but moves through the d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f6/pope-francis-85_confronting_a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human_1921740.jpg" --- # A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can… ![“A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties.” quote by Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f6/pope-francis-85_confronting_a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human_1921740.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f6/pope-francis-85_confronting_a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human_1921740.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f6/pope-francis-85_confronting_a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human_1921740.jpg) > “A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties.” [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Small acts of humility and confronting difficulty are more valued by the divine than superficial order. **In simple terms:** Humility and struggle please God. Key Takeaway Embrace challenges with humility. Themes faith humility struggle Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational spiritual When to use this quote - personal prayer - social service - overcoming adversity Key Concepts Spiritual growth ethical living Questions to Reflect On - What small difficulty can you face today? - How does humility shape your actions? A Different Perspective Great challenges can be overwhelming without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Limitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limitation/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Small steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-steps/) ## Related quotes > [I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-want-to-remind-priests-that-the-confessional-must-not-be-a-torture/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“Everything can be achieved through gradual steps – one small step at a time: overcoming fears, fulfilling dreams... anything you wish to be different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-darkholme/everything-can-be-achieved-through-gradual-steps-one-small-step-at-a/) [A.J. Darkholme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-darkholme/) > [A small step in a good direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-small-step-in-a-good-direction/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Between believing a thing and thinking you KNOW is only a small step and quickly taken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/between-believing-a-thing-and-thinking-you-know-is-only-a-small-step/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Change doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with the desire, then one small step in the right direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-deen/change-doesn-t-happen-overnight-it-starts-with-the-desire-then-one/) [Paula Deen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-deen/) > [The secret to success, to parenting, to life, is to not count up the cost. Don't focus on all the steps it will take.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/the-secret-to-success-to-parenting-to-life-is-to-not-count-up-the/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [I went through the usual stages: imp, rascal, scalawag, whippersnapper. And, of course, after that it's just a small step to full-blown sociopath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-went-through-the-usual-stages-imp-rascal-scalawag-whippersnapper/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Take great comfort in knowing that ALL great feats are accomplished one small step at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/take-great-comfort-in-knowing-that-all-great-feats-are-accomplished/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [You would think that taking tiny little steps would seem so trivial. Not true! It is better to take many small steps in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigitte-nicole/you-would-think-that-taking-tiny-little-steps-would-seem-so-trivial/) [Brigitte Nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigitte-nicole/) > [This is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-armstrong/this-is-one-small-step-for-a-man-one-giant-leap-for-mankind/) [Neil Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-armstrong/) > [Take care of the small circle around you. When you have succeeded with them, then move outwards, one small step at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/take-care-of-the-small-circle-around-you-when-you-have-succeeded-with/) [Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/) > [“It may just be a small step in a bigger battle, but it was something at least. Before you know it, lots of small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-clarke/it-may-just-be-a-small-step-in-a-bigger-battle-but-it-was-something/) [Cat Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-clarke/) > [Confidence is everything. From there, it's a small step to winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-stadler/confidence-is-everything-from-there-it-s-a-small-step-to-winning/) Craig Stadler > [The great work of social transformation begins with the first small step of stopping, calming, relaxing, reflecting and acting in a beneficial way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satish-kumar/the-great-work-of-social-transformation-begins-with-the-first-small/) [Satish Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satish-kumar/) > [Don't underestimate small steps, it is only a small step which gets you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-underestimate-small-steps-it-is-only-a-small-step-which-gets/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Pope Francis > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [God’s faithfulness is stronger than our unfaithfulness and our infidelities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-s-faithfulness-is-stronger-than-our-unfaithfulness-and-our/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“Most people nowadays would not consider love as related in any way to truth. Love is seen as an experience associated with the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/most-people-nowadays-would-not-consider-love-as-related-in-any-way-to/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [The family remains the basic unit of society and the first school in which children learn the human, spiritual and moral values which enable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-family-remains-the-basic-unit-of-society-and-the-first-school-in/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Listen to Jesus and follow him. That's the message of the Transfiguration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/listen-to-jesus-and-follow-him-that-s-the-message-of-the/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Proceed calmly in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/proceed-calmly-in-life/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I like to say that women are those who form life in their wombs - and this is a comparison I make - they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-like-to-say-that-women-are-those-who-form-life-in-their-wombs-and/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [You cannot insult the faith of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/you-cannot-insult-the-faith-of-others/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-want-to-remind-priests-that-the-confessional-must-not-be-a-torture/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [To all people of good will who are working for social justice: never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/to-all-people-of-good-will-who-are-working-for-social-justice-never/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [In Confession, Jesus welcomes us with all our sinfulness, to give us a new heart, capable of loving as he loves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/in-confession-jesus-welcomes-us-with-all-our-sinfulness-to-give-us-a/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I pray every day for all who are suffering in Iraq. Please join me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-pray-every-day-for-all-who-are-suffering-in-iraq-please-join-me/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I entrust this Twenty-second World Day of the Sick to the intercession of Mary. I ask her to help the sick to bear their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-entrust-this-twenty-second-world-day-of-the-sick-to-the/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Certain realities in life are only seen through eyes that are cleansed through our tears. Let us learn how to weep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/certain-realities-in-life-are-only-seen-through-eyes-that-are/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) [Explore all 1,479 Pope Francis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## More Confronting quotes > [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... What this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-swimme/a-tree-is-a-self-it-is-unseen-shaping-more-than-it-is-leaves-or-bark/) [Brian Swimme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-swimme/) > [The challenge in confronting Trump is that there are certain things that he does that that you have to respond to, just morally. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-buttigieg/the-challenge-in-confronting-trump-is-that-there-are-certain-things/) [Pete Buttigieg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-buttigieg/) > [I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy which spurs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/i-want-to-remind-priests-that-the-confessional-must-not-be-a-torture/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I have come to think that the challenge confronting Christians is not that we do not believe what we say, though that can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-hauerwas/i-have-come-to-think-that-the-challenge-confronting-christians-is-not/) [Stanley Hauerwas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-hauerwas/) > [Higher education is confronting challenges, like the economy is, about the need for a higher number of more adequately trained, more highly educated citizenry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-spellings/higher-education-is-confronting-challenges-like-the-economy-is-about/) [Margaret Spellings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-spellings/) > [The myths underlying our culture and underlying our common sense have not taught us to feel identical with the universe, but only parts of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/the-myths-underlying-our-culture-and-underlying-our-common-sense-have/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [While confronting the problems of the present, I often find myself thinking back to the world of books as it was experienced by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-darnton/while-confronting-the-problems-of-the-present-i-often-find-myself/) [Robert Darnton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-darnton/) > [There were angry men confronting me and I caught the flashing of defiant eyes, but above me and within me, there was a spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoinette-brown-blackwell/there-were-angry-men-confronting-me-and-i-caught-the-flashing-of/) [Antoinette Brown Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoinette-brown-blackwell/) > [We will see that the greatest problem confronting civilization is not merely religious extremism: rather, it is the larger set of cultural and intellectual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/we-will-see-that-the-greatest-problem-confronting-civilization-is-not/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [A woman confronting men is a proper subject, it is inexhaustible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-chabrol/a-woman-confronting-men-is-a-proper-subject-it-is-inexhaustible/) [Claude Chabrol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-chabrol/) > [I can't agree that what we're seeing is a matter of the American bourgeoisie confronting workers everywhere. It's more like the international plutocracy eliminating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrik-hertzberg/i-can-t-agree-that-what-we-re-seeing-is-a-matter-of-the-american/) [Hendrik Hertzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrik-hertzberg/) > [Putting your ego aside and confronting your weaknesses and just letting things happen is hard. Not to use a Scientology term, but it's difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-e-clark/putting-your-ego-aside-and-confronting-your-weaknesses-and-just/) [Annie E. Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-e-clark/) > [“I've seen what you're going to understand, dear. It made me patient when confronting your temper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/i-ve-seen-what-you-re-going-to-understand-dear-it-made-me-patient/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [I've been hated by many, wanted by plenty, disliked by some, but confronted by none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/i-ve-been-hated-by-many-wanted-by-plenty-disliked-by-some-but/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [Confronting and undermining the narratives and ideas of extremism must therefore be one of our key tasks. To do this, we must retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-gahr-store/confronting-and-undermining-the-narratives-and-ideas-of-extremism/) [Jonas Gahr Store](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-gahr-store/) Browse all 215 Confronting quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pope Francis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human-limitations-can-be-more/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Confronting" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human-limitations-can-be-more/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f6/pope-francis-85_confronting_a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human_1921740.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f6/pope-francis-85_confronting_a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human_1921740.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f6/pope-francis-85_confronting_a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human_1921740.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears…” — Pope Francis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Pope Francis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A small step, in the midst...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human-limitations-can-be-more/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/a-small-step-in-the-midst-of-great-human-limitations-can-be-more/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```