The No Fret Formula
I am the designated worrier for my family. Often, I carry the problems of the world on my shoulders. I do my best to ward off sorrow and fix problems for my family and friends. Yes, I am a full-time fretter. But Psalm 37 says “Do not fret…” It says it twice for emphasis, and in verse 8, lists an even stronger statement, “Do not fret. It only causes harm” (Psalm 37:8 NKJV). Is there a solution to worrying, stewing, and fretting? Absolutely! The No-Fret formula is trust, delight, commit, and rest in God = no fretting.
Abbey is my very spoiled Golden Retriever. She totally trusts me. I feed her and take care of all of her physical and emotional needs. How much more, our Heavenly Father loves and cares for us. Trusting in the Lord first happens when we find Jesus and start a new beginning. Old things are passed away, and all things become new (2 Cor. 5:17 NKJV). Psalm 37: 3 says to trust in the Lord…do good…feed on His faithfulness. If we are actively trusting, we are not fretting.
Verse four says “Delight yourself also in the Lord.” Delight is our word for great happiness, satisfaction, and wonder. What do you delight in? Do you take the time to delight in His goodness, His faithfulness, and His love? Is your heart filled with wonder when you look at God’s creation or acknowledge that every good and perfect gift comes from the God of that creation? There is a promise that comes with this instruction. If we delight, He will give us the desires of our hearts. If our hearts are filled with God, and we delight in Him, we cannot fret at the same time.
Committing to something or someone means that we are all in. We have made it our goal that our actions, thoughts, and desires will show our commitment. Commitment involves surrender in the present and future. This is what we Wesleyans call sanctification. It is using our life for its intended purpose. For future surrender, the “Old Timers” used to call this the “unknown bundle.” Not only do we commit our present circumstances, but all the future things that will come to our lives. When we trust, delight, and commit we can rest.
Hebrews 4:9-10 says, “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” We do not have to fix it or fret about it. Time for personal confession. I do pretty good at the trusting and committing, but I need help with the delighting and resting. I must remember to stop and wonder at the love and beauty of God’s workings in my life, and rest in the assurance that my redeemer is, El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty. This is my reminder that God is saying to me, “Trust, delight, commit, and rest. God says to me, “Do not fret, I’ve got this!”
Dr. Sandra L. Palm, NBC faculty, Director General Education Core Program
Published: 06/19/2023
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