Do Not Fret

Psalms 37:1 says, “Do not fret.” (NIV)

This is a command, not a suggestion.

Fretting means incessant worrying. The Hebrew word for “fret“ is “charah” and it means “to burn something until it is charred.”

It means being kindled with a spark of anxiety that whips up into an inner frenzy. 

It means feeding worry until it is a voracious fire in your soul that burns long and hot.

What is the best thing to do when a spark of fear ignites a frenzy of anxiety?

Take a deep breath and quiet down before God. 

Don’t worry about what others are doing or not doing and ask God to do what you can not do.

Disrupt the cycle of incessant worry with a few minutes of authentic worship.

Remind yourself who God is and what He can do.

Psalms 37:7-8 in the Message Version says it this way: “Quiet down before God, be prayerful before him. Don’t bother with those who climb the ladder, who elbow their way to the top.  Bridle your anger, trash your wrath, cool your pipes—it only makes things worse.”

My friend, don’t let worry whip up a storm of anger that distracts you from what God is doing in you and through you today.

Do not fret – God’s got you.