Do not fret

funny Christian blog-Psalm

In light of recent events in Charleston, I didn’t feel like posting a funny entry. Then I looked at my monthly schedule and saw that I had already written today’s post. I humbly thanked the Lord, knowing the He had planned this entry long before last night’s tragic act. I hope it makes you stop and think.

A few weeks ago, I was extremely irritated with someone. Let the record show that I had every right to feel discarded and disrespected. That gross feeling of “SERIOUSLY RUDE PERSON?” consumed me.

The anxiousness continued to grow as the days passed. I’m pretty much the opposite of confrontational. You can imagine the delightful ulcer I developed, wondering when this feeling was going to go away.

My Bible study proved to be a gift from the good Lord one Wednesday. It was like a soothing coat of Pepto-Bismol going down. (Run with me on this analogy, okay?) The task was simple: Choose a Psalm and write down all of the commands or action words.

I chose Psalm 37. These are just a handful of the commands I read:

Do not fret
Trust in the Lord
Delight yourself in the Lord
Do good
Be still
Wait patiently
Do not fret
Refrain from anger
Hope in the Lord
Turn from evil
Speak what is just
Wait for the Lord
DO NOT FRET

A 40-verse Psalm contains 24 commands, three of which are “do not fret.”

I stared at that phrase, among the other noble commands, and realized that I was fretting. I was reading God’s Word. I was reading truth. Right there in black and white, verses one, seven and eight instructed me not to fret. Three times in one chapter. SO WHY AM I FRETTING SO MUCH?!

I decided to cease and desist from unnecessary fretting. I swallowed my pride, summoned some courage and I called the person so we could get everything out in the open. And it was a glorious exercise. At least it was for me. I’m pretty sure the other person had no idea he had inadvertently burned a hole in the lining of my stomach.

Wisdom is a powerful tool. How many people do you think would choose different paths if they had the knowledge and strength to “trust in the Lord” and “wait patiently” and “turn from evil?” How many people are ever exposed to these Biblical truths? And if they have heard of Jesus, do they believe that He can rescue them from dire situations?

That’s where we come in.

I want to be a light that shines in the darkness. I want to be a beacon of hope in times of despair. I want to trust Him, even when life doesn’t make sense.

Do not fret. He’s got this.

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Anna Marie
Anna Marie
June 18, 2015 4:14 pm

Lincee… Wow! This was, not only one of the most needed things I needed to hear, but just so true and refreshing. I, LITERALLY, just got off the phone with a certain someone who has had so much control over my heart for the last 11 (almost 12) years. I’m just ready to be free from all that and there’s that ‘something’ that just won’t let me be. I worry about how the other person feels because I once felt the that person is feeling now. Only, that person NEVER cared about how I was feeling. So, why let this ‘something’ weigh me down and make me feel worried so much? Ulcer. I completely understand that. Sleepless nights. Anxiety. Worry. I just can’t anymore. I needed to clear my head and my thoughts after that call and I thought I would do that with your blog. Low and behold, this post was the first thing I saw. I read it and I read it again and once more after that. So refreshing and all I can say is THANK YOU!!! Thank you so much for writing such a needed post. I truly believe I was meant to see this. You are such a great blessing. You make me laugh when I need it, which is daily and today you made me feel so great and loved. Thank you for this!!! It’s EXACTLY what AnnaMarie needed! <3

CO Kathleen
CO Kathleen
June 18, 2015 6:29 pm

Great post and I really love the graphic of the open Bible pages to Psalm forming a heart.

When life doesn’t make sense all we can do is trust God through it. I love your desire to be a light and beacon of hope. I can see that you are by the way you write and share each week!

Thanks for a very inspirational post.

Jenny
Jenny
June 18, 2015 8:03 pm

It made my night to read this! Why do we lose our focus so easily? God is in control. He ALWAYS speaks truth. He is good, and does good. Often, the world sees things through a different lense. I pray I can be light for the people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus!!
Thank you for the reminder that He has this, I need not fret. 🙂

Sarah
Sarah
June 19, 2015 8:46 am

Lincee – thanks for sharing. Your God-inspired posts inspire me! I love how IHGB has given you a platform to share your faith so openly. Prayers continue for our distorted world until He returns.

Cheryl
Cheryl
June 19, 2015 8:01 pm
Reply to  Lincee

Ditto. Very proud of you.

Anonymous
Anonymous
June 19, 2015 8:51 am

I really needed these words today. My husband and I are in the middle of a struggle with infertility. It is very scary and there is a lot of uncertainty. I needed to be reminded “do not fret” and “wait patiently.” Thank you.

Kelli
Kelli
June 19, 2015 9:18 am

As a champion fretter, I really appreciated this post. As all people, I have situation that is causing me untold amounts of irritation and stress. These were words I needed. Thank you

Bri
Bri
June 19, 2015 12:37 pm

Thank you Lincee. I respond to things just like you do (comforting to know I’m not the only one). I needed this today.

Kim
Kim
June 19, 2015 12:46 pm

Lincee, thank you for reminding us that God is always in control. My bible study group just learned that what we fear the most we trust God the least to handle. WOW that was a real eye opener for me…I have learned to let God handle all my fears and trust that whatever happens is part of God’s plan for my life. Wishing you have a blessed weekend!

Proverbs 3:5-6

amy a
amy a
June 19, 2015 1:07 pm

Ah, such good stuff. I love how the Lord is so faithful to provide exactly our portion…even when we are smack in the middle of full-on fret. I woke this morning with heavy concerns (and little sleep, due to fretting). I’ve been seeking him, but still melancholy all morning. I thought… I know, I should see if Lincee wrote anything today…i need outta my funk. Low and behold…there was great Truth! Thanks.

P.S. I’m such a people pleaser, I nearly convinced myself I was the offending party in the first paragraph. Even though we’ve never met, much less had a negative interaction!

Amy
Amy
June 19, 2015 2:48 pm

Lincee –
Thank you for this. I am in the midst of a fret-full time right now. I needed to hear this. With all of my heart, I am trying to let go and let the Lord lead me. But it’s so very hard when it involves my child.

Liz F.
Liz F.
June 19, 2015 3:27 pm

Perfect! Thank you.

Karen
Karen
June 19, 2015 6:33 pm

I visited your site for something funny and found something meaningful and true. Yes, wisdom is a powerful tool. As a native of Charleston, your words are a light in the darkness. Thank you!

Lauren
June 19, 2015 11:53 pm

Refrain from anger
Hope in the Lord
Turn from evil
Speak what is just
Wait for the Lord
DO NOT FRET

I needed this. Thank you! It’s the waiting, and the not being angry, and pretty much all of it I am having a hard time with. Hope. That’s a tough one too. But God. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Thanks for this reminder!

toointothis
toointothis
June 20, 2015 12:04 pm

THANK YOU!! The Lord is good, and this was a great reminder. Just got home from swim team practice where my husband is the coach (for our 3 kids, plus 100+ others), and we were literally gnashing teeth all the way home about a “seriously rude person” situation!! It has been eating us up for days. Swim team drama vs. God? No contest. To fret or not to fret, is basically to trust or not to trust. Letting it go. 🙂 You’ve just given me a nice Father’s Day gift for my man!

Brenda
June 20, 2015 2:58 pm

Love, love, love.

Thanks for making me laugh when I need it, yet pointing me to truth when I need it more. You’re just like the best kind of friend.

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