You’ve seen ‘em… People that fret and fuss over everything! Adept at hand-wringing and whining! They can find a conspiracy or spot a developing injustice before it’s even imagined! There’s a crisis in every cloud, an emergency in every experience. They whine, accuse, cry out and gasp their way through every day. “It’s not fair! There’s favoritism! I’m more deserving! They always get by with it! I’m more righteous than they are and look at them… I suffer and they’re blessed!”- these are some of their favorite phrases. Fuss! Fuss! Fuss! Fret! Fret! Fret!
Here’s what David, prompted by the Holy Spirit, had to say to those who were tempted to slip into that ugly pattern of life…
“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” (Psalm 37:1–11 ESV)
Next time I’m tempted to fret and fuss, I’m going to try to remember what I think is the “Cliff Notes Version” of David’s advice… Fret not over the evildoer – Instead focus on the faithfulness and goodness of God!
Coffee With The Lord 