Hi Spoolz,
I used macros for almost everything in FFXI (was a blm so staff swapping was like constant) but for this game, I only have macros set up for gear changes atm. I do use a gamepad. What I have found is you can lay out your action bar in such a way that is is usally quicker with a gampad to click into a spell/action that way than it would be to cue an action. The trick is to align your action bar in such a way that you have spells/abilties side-by-side or up and down from each other you use often. Also, my main Class/Job is CNJ/WHM so it is VERY important my spells go off when i want them too (I can't afford double-clicks because a macro didn't fire or tripped up a spell).

WHM Action BAR
Cure/Cura/Curaga/Esuna/Shroud of Saints/Blissful Mind/Sentinel/Stone/Aero/Repose
Protect/Regen/Sac.Prism/Stoneskin/Second Wind/Featherfoot/Cleric Stance/Stonera/Aerora/Holy
Benediction/Presence of Mind/Raise/Empty/Empty/Empty/Empty/Empty/Empty/Rampart

Keep in mind: It is super easy on a game pad to go from Cure to Repose with my setup by clicking to the left on your directional pad (at least with my setup) and again from the top action bar to the bottom simply by clicking up one time. This means that one click up or down and you can see the next action bar set. Also, by stacking my Stone one slot above Stonera, I can cast stone, click down one and be on Stonera, ready to roll.

I do basically the same sort of set up for BLM... I stack my spells so Fire is on action bar one, Fira on action bar 2 right below it and Firaga on action bar 3 making me a little fire column. Each spell in the combo being only one click up or down. Also, I have both Excruicate/Dark Seal on my top action bar so I can see them. Also as it does make sense to use them after you cast a tier 1 but before the tier 2, having them on the top bar works spell+Excruciate + tier 2 spell in combo.

Some people prefer to keep abilities on longer timers on top bar, but as both Benediction and Sacred Prism tend to be used by WHM in 'oh poop' moments, they are okay to keep on a bottom bar. At any rate, with a game pad, I think organizing your action bars in a way that makes sense to you, and allows you to quickly click what you want will win out over macros.