Fret Not Yourself

Karen

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

—Psalm 37:7

I tried distracting myself by flipping through an old magazine in the orthodontist’s waiting room. However, no barbecue meatloaf recipe, insightful article on how to organize my closet, or column on the Hollywood gossip scene could keep my mind from worrying. An acquaintance was spreading lies about one of my family members as if they were factual. I was both angry and anxious and grew more fearful by the moment that some people—who might not know my relative well—would believe the lies.

My mind began to concoct all sorts of short speeches and clever comebacks I might give if I spoke with anyone who had been the recipient of the untruths. However, into my mind popped a piece of advice my spiritual mentor, who had introduced me to the gospel in high school, had repeated to me numerous times: Remember, the truth always wins out, and it is God’s job to protect your reputation. It is your job to stop worrying and trust Him with the outcome.

Oh, how this is easier said than done! I wanted to correct the errors, straighten out the untruths, protect the name of my loved one, and stop the person who was lying! However, today’s verse suggests just what my mentor told me: “Do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7). And what are we to do instead? The first part of the verse: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.”

Do. Not. Fret. Or, as the King James Version of the Bible puts it, “Fret not thyself.” I just love the picture that rendering paints! It shows that we are the ones causing ourselves to fret, and so we are the ones who can stop “fretting ourselves,” for crying out loud! We just need to be still. To wait. To display patience, the quiet trust that God is in control.

My mentor was right. The truth did win out. My family member’s name was cleared, and the person spewing the lies instead was the one who ended up looking foolish and bad.

If you are fretting, take the advice of Psalm 37:7 today and fret not yourself. You’ll be glad that you did.

Lord, whenever I begin to feel anxiety rising up in me over the harmful words or actions of another, help me to stop. To pray. To trust in Your plan and leave the fretting behind. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Think back on a time when it felt like someone was succeeding in his or her wicked ways. How could Psalm 37:7 have helped you handle that situation differently? How can it equip you for any future fretting that might come your way?