Fretting

“Fret” is a somewhat archaic expression meaning that you worry so much about something that it eats away at you – this issue consumes your thoughts, you are visibly and constantly anxious about it.

We live in times where, unfortunately, many circumstances lead us into this state of fretting. As South Africans, we face bribery and corruption in politics from the highest office down to the least important official on street level; rampant thievery of huge sums of money meant for public expenditure; violence and murder that have become a very real threat in our society.

And to top it all, the number of leaders of national and international ministries now being exposed for sexual abuse of all kinds.

We might think that things have never been as bad as it is now. But Ps 37 gives us a glimpse of a civilization where we read about evildoers plotting against the people of God (corruption), casting down the poor and needy (thievery), slaying those who walk uprightly (murder). 

And our Lord, understanding us so well, repeats His instruction to us in Ps 37 three times – fret not! In verse one He tells us that the evildoers will wither and die away, leaving no trace of their existence behind. In verse seven and verse eight He says to be still and rest in Him; not to fret because of him who got rich based on wicked practices; and to not let our fretting lead us to anger and wrath. The Lord even laughs at the wicked, for He sees that their own day of defeat is coming! Whereas the meek and blessed of God will inherit the earth. Even if these promises come to pass when we have already gone to be with Jesus, they shall be fulfilled becaue the Word of the Lord has established it.

Pearls to ponder:

Study Ps 37 to see how to navigate your path from fretting about external things, to finding your resting place in God. Master the art of these instructions given there – trusting in God; delighting yourself in Him; committing your way to the Lord; being still and resting in the Lord; waiting on Him patiently. Being merciful and dealing graciously; expecting the Lord.

And then do not forget to take note as you read along of the destruction decreed on all the wicked people, whilst the righteous have a Refuge and secure Stronghold in the time of trouble, who will help them, deliver them and save them – because they trust and take refuge in Him!