“To fret” means
that you have a worry or feeling of unease, typically about an imminent event
or something with an uncertain outcome. In Hebrew the word we translate “fret” is charah, which means to
glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, to kindle, be
displeased, and grieve. The statement that
someone is “hot and bothered” really defines a fretting person. Four times in Scripture we find the phrase
“fret not.” In the order of their occurrence, we find God is telling us not to
worry about people who do wrong. “Fret
not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers
of iniquity” (Psalm 37:1). Then God reminds us not to be bothered when
the blessing is on the wicked and not on us. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because
of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked
devices to pass” (Psalm 37:7). God commands us not to try to “even the
score” in a fretting, vengeful spirit. “Cease
from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil”
(Psalm 37:8). Biblical wisdom is refusing to be envious toward the life of the
unregenerate. “Fret not thyself because
of evil men , neither be thou envious at the wicked” (Proverbs 24:19).
One thing for
sure, God will even every score and we need to always remember that much of our reward, if not realized
here, will be granted in Heaven. Jesus reminds us when this happens to “Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy:
for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their
fathers unto the prophets” (Luke 6:23).
You’re in good company and our Lord is keeping the record.
To live in a
continued state of “fretting” would be living in stress. Stress is the continuation of pressure or the
fretting state of mind. You might say fretting are the steps that lead us into
a state of stress. Let’s examine three ways to live stress-free:
1. You can triumph over the waves beneath you.
Psalm 121:3
says, “He will not suffer thy foot to be
moved….” When I see this promise, I immediately go to the incident of Peter
losing his footing on the waves of the Sea of Galilee. The Bible records, “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for
the wind was contrary” (Matthew 14:24).
After Jesus challenged Peter to walk with him out on those boisterous
waves, we see this take place: “But when
he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried,
saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and
caught him…” (Matthew 14:30,31a). Without hesitation, our Lord picked up
the sinking disciple out of the angry waves, steadied him and led him on to the
boat.
Probably the
highest and most ferocious swells in the world are found here. Yet in spite of
the warnings imminent death awaiting prospective surfers, there are times this
beach is crowded with surfers ready to catch the wave. In the world of sports there is not much greater
thrill than surfing. You are not being pulled or yanked by any man- made
device; you are riding the waves that our Creator has designed dramatically in
His creation. If you are on top of the wave, you are having unceasing fun. If you are beneath the wave, you may be
fighting for your life.
The same stress
generated in the wave can either give you a ride or scare of a lifetime...it
all depends if you are on top or underneath.
All of life is equipped with stress; our relationship with Jesus and obedience
to Him determines if we are on top (emotionally) or beneath. I often claim this
promise: “And the LORD shall make thee
the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be
beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which
I command thee this day, to observe and to do them” (Deuteronomy 28:13).
2. You will be shaded from the sun.
Psalm 121:5,6a
says, “The LORD is thy keeper the LORD is
thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day....”
Under a hot sun, we can be burned and made very uncomfortable. In the course of a lifetime, even too much
exposure to the sun can bring on cancer. In the Middle East, where the Bible
was written, the effects of the sun can be brutalizing. The deserts of this area can soar upwards to
122 degrees. The intense heat can cause heat cramps, exhaustion and stroke,
which could lead to unconsciousness or even death. So, in this area of the world in which the Bible
was written, desert heat is nothing to joke about. God was telling us He will provide shade from
all debilitating circumstances, even the effects of the hottest sun. There is no heat that He cannot cool and no thirst
that He cannot quench. Walking in stress is like walking on a continuous
desert, whereas walking with the Lord is a walk in a continual oasis.
3. You shall be protected from the moon.
Psalm 121: 5a, 6b says, “The LORD is thy keeper...nor the moon (smite thee) by night.” Now
you may wonder what danger awaits us in the moonlight? A man approached Jesus who had a son that was
totally out of control. He said, “Lord,
have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he
falleth into the fire, and oft into the water” (Matthew 17:15). The word “lunatic” in Greek is: seleniazomai,
which comes to us from a word that means to be moon- struck, i.e. crazy. In English the word is from late Latin
lunaticus, from Latin luna ‘moon’ (from
the belief that changes of the moon caused
intermittent insanity). Philosophers such as Aristotle and Pliny the
Elder argued that the full moon induced insane individuals with (what are now
diagnosed) bipolar disorders by providing light during nights which would
otherwise have been dark, and affecting susceptible individuals with sleep
deprivation which would, in turn, trigger dysfunction. It seems man has been fascinated with
moodiness and troubles that seem to be affected by the lunar calendar.
Emergency rooms are full when the moon is full.
Now, do not be concerned; no one is going to start howling like a wolf
just because of the changing of the moon!
As a matter of fact, I believe a lot of behavior is induced because we
believe that a certain change of season will automatically affect our nature
and environment. Whether an illness is psychosomatic or real, Jesus is the
answer!
Although the disciples were impotent in helping
the youngster, Jesus rebuked the demonic influence and the boy was healed from
that very hour. What comfort all of us should enjoy, knowing that Jesus can eliminate
not only the stress we experience from everyday temptations for anxiety, but
for protection on every day in our lunar or calendar year.
No comments:
Post a Comment