14 Things to Do Instead of Fretting
Psalm 37 could be entitled the “Do Not Fret” song, but thanks to God’s graciousness, it also contains at least 14 positive things we can do instead of unnecessarily riding the fret-cycle round and round. A list of the fourteen might include the following:
1. Trust in the Lord (vss. 3, 5);
2. Do good (vss. 3, 27);
3. Dwell in the land (vs. 3);
4. Feed on His faithfulness (vs. 3);
5. Delight yourself in the Lord (vs. 4);
6. Commit your way to the Lord (vs. 5);
7. Rest in the Lord (vs. 7);
8. Wait patiently for Him (vss. 7, 31);
9. Cease from anger (vs. 8);
10. Forsake wrath (v. 8);
12. Keep His way (vs. 34);
13. Mark the blameless man (vs. 37);
14. Observe the upright (vs. 37).
The connection between fretting and these actions may not immediately be obvious, but a closer look shows they help replace the negative thinking that generally accompanies fretting.
It is important that the first positive action is to trust. Perhaps because trust is the foundation of every good relationship. Our relationship with God begins with our trusting His Son as Savior, then allowing Him to be Lord of our life. Our ability to rely on God for a viable solution to any problem is gauged by the degree to which we trust Him. When we are fretting, we are not trusting, and vice versa.
When we think of doing good, many good deeds may come to mind. But Jesus summed it up by saying that we are to love God with every part of our being, and our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-39). Clearly, love is to be the motivating force behind our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This then frees us up to carry out positive things that come to mind.
To God’s people at the time this psalm was written, to dwell in the land meant to give up their nomadic way of life and live in the country He had given them. To stop foraging around to meet their needs, and trust His provision.
To us, it is a reminder to not be searching hither and yon for solutions, but rather to trust Him to supply answers. Sometimes He leads us out of a situation, and sometimes He leads us through it, but always He is faithful to lead us if we are willing to follow.
Feeding or being fed implies gaining emotional strength, just as in the physical sense. When we read His Word and call to mind all the times God has been faithful, both in our own life and the lives of others, it strengthens our faith to trust Him in the present situation.
Delighting in the Lord conveys two implications: to be delightful to Him, and to find our delight in Him. A happy, obedient child always brings delight to his parents. Likewise, to have a lifestyle that pleases our Heavenly Father brings delight to Him, and our desires and requests will be in accordance with His will. Therefore He can give us the desires of our heart.
Committing your way to the Lord is the first step in becoming delightful to the Lord. A committed lifestyle includes coming to Him with our concerns as well as our joys; letting Him be in charge; following His directions; learning to do things His way; and trusting His timing.
Resting in the Lord in the middle of worrisome circumstances is not an easy thing. It means to do nothing when everything seems to be screaming “Do something even if it is wrong.” But if we are truly trusting His faithfulness and to the best of our ability living according to His dictates, we can find rest in spite of everything.
Waiting patiently for Him conveys the idea of waiting with a sense of expectation, much like how a soldier at parade rest does not take another step until the next order is given. Waiting for God means doing things His way, in His time, and place. He will help us, perhaps in a different way than we had expected, but He will help.
Ceasing from anger is difficult when everything seems to be going in the wrong direction. Our anger may be with ourselves, someone else, or even God, but no matter whom the object is, getting angry illustrates that we have not turned the matter completely over to Him. Not only does it go against God’s instructions, in our anger we may do something that actually hinders what He is doing.
Forsaking wrath. The Hebrew word translated here as forsaking implies abandonment. Therefore, God instructs us to give up anger; to stop harboring it and hugging it to ourselves; surrendering it to Him instead. It is impossible to please God, to do good, and wait patiently, expectantly for Him when our emotions are fueled by anger and our actions are driven by wrath. Instead, we will be like a jet engine revving up, ready to catapult into flight.
Departing from evil means to get away from it; to get ourselves out of the danger zone. Evil can take on many faces: places where we may find ourselves; our thoughts, habits, and even certain people. We are to be on guard against anything or anyone that leads us astray from what God intends us to do. What we tolerate today, we may embrace tomorrow. Habits form easily, and are slow to break.
Keeping His way. Jesus promised that if we keep His commandments we will abide in His love and our joy will be full (John 15:9-14). Joy cannot fill our hearts when we are carry everything in our own strength and wisdom. But once we come to believe that He is working on our behalf, and thank Him for doing so, we are able to surrender the matter over to Him.
Mark the blameless man and observe the upright is God’s way of saying, “Watch and see how I take care of things for those who trust Me, and are doing their best to live by My instructions.” God’s Word is filled with examples of His faithfulness to His followers, often when it looked as if there was no way out. When it looks as if evil is winning over good, we may be judging too quickly. We may need to wait for the rest of the story.
Knowing that God is trustworthy, makes it easier to do the positive things God has laid out for us to do. The next time we hear, “Do something!” we will have at least 14 good things with which to answer the urge.
Lord, why do I worry? Why do I fret?
when Jesus, My Savior, You care for me yet?
In all of my trials, with each little care
comes perfect assurance that You are still there.
Whenever I ask for the things that I need,
I don’t have to bargain, to beg or to plead.
For You’re standing by with a heart full of love,
to take my requests to Your Father above.
It’s not for my goodness the thing will be done,
but because You’re my Advocate, Jesus, God’s Son.
1. Trust in the Lord (vss. 3, 5);
2. Do good (vss. 3, 27);
3. Dwell in the land (vs. 3);
4. Feed on His faithfulness (vs. 3);
5. Delight yourself in the Lord (vs. 4);
6. Commit your way to the Lord (vs. 5);
7. Rest in the Lord (vs. 7);
8. Wait patiently for Him (vss. 7, 31);
9. Cease from anger (vs. 8);
10. Forsake wrath (v. 8);
12. Keep His way (vs. 34);
13. Mark the blameless man (vs. 37);
14. Observe the upright (vs. 37).
The connection between fretting and these actions may not immediately be obvious, but a closer look shows they help replace the negative thinking that generally accompanies fretting.
It is important that the first positive action is to trust. Perhaps because trust is the foundation of every good relationship. Our relationship with God begins with our trusting His Son as Savior, then allowing Him to be Lord of our life. Our ability to rely on God for a viable solution to any problem is gauged by the degree to which we trust Him. When we are fretting, we are not trusting, and vice versa.
When we think of doing good, many good deeds may come to mind. But Jesus summed it up by saying that we are to love God with every part of our being, and our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-39). Clearly, love is to be the motivating force behind our thoughts, emotions, and actions. This then frees us up to carry out positive things that come to mind.
To God’s people at the time this psalm was written, to dwell in the land meant to give up their nomadic way of life and live in the country He had given them. To stop foraging around to meet their needs, and trust His provision.
To us, it is a reminder to not be searching hither and yon for solutions, but rather to trust Him to supply answers. Sometimes He leads us out of a situation, and sometimes He leads us through it, but always He is faithful to lead us if we are willing to follow.
Feeding or being fed implies gaining emotional strength, just as in the physical sense. When we read His Word and call to mind all the times God has been faithful, both in our own life and the lives of others, it strengthens our faith to trust Him in the present situation.
Delighting in the Lord conveys two implications: to be delightful to Him, and to find our delight in Him. A happy, obedient child always brings delight to his parents. Likewise, to have a lifestyle that pleases our Heavenly Father brings delight to Him, and our desires and requests will be in accordance with His will. Therefore He can give us the desires of our heart.
Committing your way to the Lord is the first step in becoming delightful to the Lord. A committed lifestyle includes coming to Him with our concerns as well as our joys; letting Him be in charge; following His directions; learning to do things His way; and trusting His timing.
Resting in the Lord in the middle of worrisome circumstances is not an easy thing. It means to do nothing when everything seems to be screaming “Do something even if it is wrong.” But if we are truly trusting His faithfulness and to the best of our ability living according to His dictates, we can find rest in spite of everything.
Waiting patiently for Him conveys the idea of waiting with a sense of expectation, much like how a soldier at parade rest does not take another step until the next order is given. Waiting for God means doing things His way, in His time, and place. He will help us, perhaps in a different way than we had expected, but He will help.
Ceasing from anger is difficult when everything seems to be going in the wrong direction. Our anger may be with ourselves, someone else, or even God, but no matter whom the object is, getting angry illustrates that we have not turned the matter completely over to Him. Not only does it go against God’s instructions, in our anger we may do something that actually hinders what He is doing.
Forsaking wrath. The Hebrew word translated here as forsaking implies abandonment. Therefore, God instructs us to give up anger; to stop harboring it and hugging it to ourselves; surrendering it to Him instead. It is impossible to please God, to do good, and wait patiently, expectantly for Him when our emotions are fueled by anger and our actions are driven by wrath. Instead, we will be like a jet engine revving up, ready to catapult into flight.
Departing from evil means to get away from it; to get ourselves out of the danger zone. Evil can take on many faces: places where we may find ourselves; our thoughts, habits, and even certain people. We are to be on guard against anything or anyone that leads us astray from what God intends us to do. What we tolerate today, we may embrace tomorrow. Habits form easily, and are slow to break.
Keeping His way. Jesus promised that if we keep His commandments we will abide in His love and our joy will be full (John 15:9-14). Joy cannot fill our hearts when we are carry everything in our own strength and wisdom. But once we come to believe that He is working on our behalf, and thank Him for doing so, we are able to surrender the matter over to Him.
Mark the blameless man and observe the upright is God’s way of saying, “Watch and see how I take care of things for those who trust Me, and are doing their best to live by My instructions.” God’s Word is filled with examples of His faithfulness to His followers, often when it looked as if there was no way out. When it looks as if evil is winning over good, we may be judging too quickly. We may need to wait for the rest of the story.
Knowing that God is trustworthy, makes it easier to do the positive things God has laid out for us to do. The next time we hear, “Do something!” we will have at least 14 good things with which to answer the urge.
Lord, why do I worry? Why do I fret?
when Jesus, My Savior, You care for me yet?
In all of my trials, with each little care
comes perfect assurance that You are still there.
Whenever I ask for the things that I need,
I don’t have to bargain, to beg or to plead.
For You’re standing by with a heart full of love,
to take my requests to Your Father above.
It’s not for my goodness the thing will be done,
but because You’re my Advocate, Jesus, God’s Son.
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