Fret Not: Trusting God's Plan in Troubled Times

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Have you ever found yourself caught up in worry, looking at the world around you and feeling overwhelmed? Maybe you’ve wondered why the wicked seem to prosper while those who follow God struggle. If you’ve ever wrestled with these thoughts, you’re not alone. David wrestled with them too, and in Psalm 37, he gives us a powerful reminder: Fret not.

The Struggle of Looking Around

It’s so easy to focus on what’s happening around us. We see injustice, evil winning battles, and people who don’t honor God thriving. If we’re not careful, this can consume us—our hearts grow anxious, our minds spiral, and we start to doubt God’s faithfulness.

But Psalm 37 begins with a command: Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb. (Psalm 37:1-2)

God knows our tendency to fret, and He lovingly reminds us that what we see is temporary. The success of the wicked is fleeting, like grass that dries up and blows away. But His plans? They endure forever.

Trust Instead of Worry

So, what should we do instead of fretting? Psalm 37:3-5 gives us a roadmap:

Trust in the Lord and do good – Our job isn’t to obsess over what others are doing but to focus on what God has called us to do. Keep planting seeds of righteousness. Keep doing good, even when it feels unnoticed.
Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness – Stay where God has placed you. Be faithful in the everyday, leaning on His provision instead of worrying about what you lack.
Delight yourself in the Lord – When our joy is found in Him, our desires begin to align with His will. We stop craving what the world offers and start longing for the things of God.
Commit your way to the Lord – Lay your plans at His feet, trusting that He will direct your steps.
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him – This might be the hardest one of all. Waiting. Not rushing to fix things in our own strength but truly resting in the knowledge that He is in control.

God’s Timing Is Perfect

One of the greatest struggles we face is waiting on God’s timing. We want justice now. We want answers now. But Psalm 37 reminds us that God works on an eternal timeline. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

Isn’t that reassuring? Even when we stumble, even when things don’t go according to our plans, God is holding us. He is leading us, step by step.

A Shift in Perspective

Instead of worrying about what others are doing, what if we focused on what God is doing? Instead of being discouraged by the success of the wicked, what if we trusted in the faithfulness of God?

Psalm 37 isn’t just a call to stop fretting; it’s an invitation to deeper trust. To shift our eyes from the temporary to the eternal. To believe that God’s justice will prevail, even when we don’t see it immediately.

A Prayer of Trust

Lord, help us not to worry or lose hope. When we see evil prospering, remind us that You are in control. Teach us to trust You, to do good, and to find our delight in You alone. Give us patience to wait on Your timing and faith to believe in Your promises. May we rest in Your faithfulness today and always. Amen.

Whatever is weighing on your heart today, bring it before the Lord. He sees. He knows. And He is working, even when you can’t see it. Fret not. He’s got this.

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