"Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil doing." Psalms 37:8
Last night, I was reading in Oswald Chambers’ "My Utmost for His Highest" and the reading for that day was about not fretting. And I have been fretting a lot these past few weeks. I thought it was good fretting, because it wasn’t neccessarily fretting about whether I got the biggest piece of dessert and selfish things like that–I was fretting for a friend : ) I want her to have the best in her life spiritually, and somehow I thought that my fretting would help change her heart. I know–it sounds very silly now that I look at it that way : ) But here I find that all fretting, is still fretting, and sin. Which really is a relief to me. I was getting worn down with all this fretting! It was also good for me to read at this time, because with all the stress of the fair, it is VERY easy to begin fretting about everything that needs to get done, and whether others are doing their share .
My Utmost for His Highest — July 4th
"Fretting means getting out at elbows mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say "Fret not," but a very different thing to have such a disposition that you find yourself able not to fret. It sounds so easy to talk about "resting in the Lord" and "waiting patiently for Him" until the nest is upset – until we live, as so many are doing, in tumult and anguish, is it possible then to rest in the Lord? If this "don’t" does not work there, it will work nowhere. This "don’t" must work in days of perplexity as well as in days of peace, or it never will work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work in anyone else’s case. Resting in the Lord does not depend on external circumstances at all, but on your relationship to God Himself.
Fussing always ends in sin. We imagine that a little anxiety and worry are an indication of how really wise we are; it is much more an indication of how really wicked we are. Fretting springs from a determination to get our own way. Our Lord never worried and He was never anxious, because He was not "out" to realize His own ideas; He was "out" to realize God’s ideas. Fretting is wicked if you are a child of God.
Have you been bolstering up that stupid soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God? Put all "supposing" on one side and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about that thing. All our fret and worry is caused by calculating without God. "
So last night I put my worries in God’s hands. I still pray for my friend, and think of her a lot, but it is so nice to know that she, and all her circumstances, are in God’s very capable hands. : ) And He is exceedingly, abundantly able to do above all that I ask or think.
Then I thought of a song, "Commit and Trust", that I had heard by the Wissmann family that really spoke to me and goes along quite well with this thought : ) The link is actually by the John Marshall family–I couldn’t get the Wissmann’s link to work : )
Fret not!
I love the Wissmann family singers also, and that song!!
That is a really neat post Jessica! It's good to know that God is able to watch over all things and 'tis oh so sweet to leave it in His hands (now why don't I do it more often?!).
Oh, yes and I LOVE that song 🙂 DB and I sing it all the time:) Well, the parts that we remember anyway, we've only heard it twice 😀 !
~ The Absent Minded Goat Tender
Love and hugs!
I was just wondering what CD the John Marshall Family sings that on? I have the CD that the Wissmann family sings on. Thanks!
…it looks like the John Marshall Family's version is in their "CD Collection Volume 4" : ) If you go to it should take you right to that CD : ) You have the Wissmann's CD? How wonderful! I need to get it, or at least the mp3 download of that song : D
Jessica
What a great reminder!
I was happy to have recently come across your blog! What a lovely one it is. I wanted you to know I gladly honored your blog with the "One Lovely Blog" award this week. Go to my blog to see the post:
http://makingjesusmypearl.blogspot.com/2009/07/one-lovely-blog-award.html
Blessings to all of you!
Sincerely,
Momma Jo
http://www.makingJesusmypearl.blogspot.com
Thank-you if I can I will try to order that one sometime!
Cassia, I'm glad you like the template! oh thanks for the long comment too =) wow! 4-H sounds fun (and stressful!) I can't wait until you come.
oh, my Mom's in the hospital right now, she went in around 11:00 and were waiting on our new baby brother now =) I can't wait! I will either PM you or leave a comment and let you know the name =) you knew it was a boy already right?
ttyl!
katie-bug
p.s. tell me when you'll be at church, I have your present!
Glad I found your interesting blog. I enjoyed reading it.
Hi!
Did you guys get the pm I sent Anna? I just want to make sure it got to you so please let me know~
Love in Christ
~Raechel~
Hi!
Thats fine!
Oh ok! Then I will wait for it! thank you for telling me!
God bless!
Love in Christ
~Raechel~
awesome thoughts Jessica! 🙂 I have a big problem with fretting… I am trying not to be anxious, but it is so hard for me.
this was very encouraging. thanks for sharing!
hope you're doing good, Jessica! hopefully we can get together soon
HUGS!
Amanda
http://superangelsblog.com