Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1
Are you a worrier? It’s easy to do these days when you look at the news. What used to be problems in faraway countries, are so much closer to home. Evil has moved in next door and seems here to stay. Who could blame you for that pessimistic mindset?
God.
Why? Why would he blame you for being upset at the terrible things happening in the world these days? Because being upset is one thing, but worrying and fretting is another. George Mueller once said, “The beginning of worry is the end of faith, and the beginning of faith is the end of worry.” When you fret, you are telling God you don’t trust in his sovereignty.
There’s a way back to trust, and it’s not complicated. David, a shepherd, warrior, poet and king, shows us how in Psalm 37. Trust in the Lord, delight in the Lord, commit your way to him, be still and wait for him, refrain from anger, and turn from wrath.
“Trust in the Lord and do good.” Trusting in God, means you know who’s in control. Knowing who’s in control allows you to move on and do good, avoiding the temptation of meeting evil with evil. This sets you apart from the crowd — distinguishes you as a Christ-follower.
Then David tells you to “delight yourself in the Lord.” When you delight in someone, you think about them, focus on them (think new child or grandbaby). That’s where your thoughts lie. When you choose to delight in him and his Word, he gives you the desires of your heart, blesses you.
When you commit your way to the Lord, you are choosing to do that which pleases him and not the world. While the world does evil, you do good. When you do that, David says, “he will make your righteousness shine like the dawn.” People will notice that you’re not like everyone else; your life makes a statement.
One of the hardest remedies to worry is being still and waiting on the Lord. It requires you to rest in him, while the storm rages around you. Even when evil seems to succeed in its ways, you are still, calm, and patient, because you know who is in control and has the victory.
Though many stop at the first five directives, the ones found in verse eight are just as important, because they remind you to resist the urge to take things into your own hands. “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath.” When you fret, you get mad; you want to take revenge against those who do evil. When you do that, you end up committing evil too. Don’t go down that road. Give your anger to God. He’s got this.
Will you heed David’s guidance today? Don’t fret: this too shall pass. God will have the final word, so wait and delight in him.