Rest, Don’t Fret

“… do not fret—it leads only to evil” Psalm 37:8 (NIV)

No matter what life may bring, we must avoid anxiety like the plague. It is not good for the heart to fret; it brings too much stress to the soul. We must recognise anxiety as the enemy that it is and give it no space. It comes to steal, kill and destroy. It comes to destroy every trace of peace that abides within. It distorts vision and paralyses fruitfulness. It distracts and dissipates. “Be anxious for nothing…” is not a suggestion but a command – a call to arms! For no heart can bear anxiety and remain healthy.

You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.

Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NIV)

The heart must always be at rest in God. It’s not good for the heart to be restless or fretful. It is harmful to our spiritual health. Our minds must be stayed on God. Our souls must continually gaze on him. Any pose of the soul that clouds that gaze is an enemy, no matter how helpful it may look.

The call to follow Christ is a call to walk consistently in his deep-seated peace no matter how the winds blow. We must set the sail of our soul to walk in that peace. Abide in his peace. Guard your heart with all diligence. It is much more important that our hearts are at peace – rested in God than for us to get what we want. Cease from striving and rest. Be still and know that he is the Lord. It is not your responsibility to have everything under control. It is enough to know God is in control. It’s our privilege to rest in God. Whether you face a mountain or a valley – fret not, but rest. Let hell do its worst but note this: they will not prevail against you. Don’t fret; just rest!

The way of peace and victory is to stay our hearts on God – “those whose heart is stayed on you” (KJV). The NIV renders that as “whose mind is steadfast”. The double-minded cannot receive anything from God.

If anxiety comes in like a strongman, don’t delay but flee to Jesus and cast your cares upon him for he cares for you. The most important action a believer can take is this – to ABIDE. Abide in him then beloved – trusting, looking up to him, hearing him, obeying and waiting on him. You will not be disappointed.