I had an opportunity this week to develop my trust in the Lord a little more. Someone in my life presented a request/demand that seemed like a possible threat to our family’s peace. As these situations usually are, the correct way to handle it is complicated and a bit fuzzy. Suddenly, that person seemed like an enemy. As I began to toss the situation and our defense around in my mind, it didn’t take long before I was angry and all of my peace was missing in action.
I reached out to several of my trusted friends to pray for us about the situation. Asking them to pray was a good thing, but in the ask I also began to explain – and my explaining quickly became complaining. As I was explaining/complaining to my PIP (Partner in Prayer) our signal got cut off and I had about 10 minutes before I was able to reconnect. During that intermission, God brought Psalm 37 to mind and began to show me that I was fretting over the situation instead of trusting Him! When I was able to call my PIP back, I confessed that to her and asked her to pray for each party – and that peace would prevail.
Here is what I have learned from Psalm 37 about how God wants us to handle these situations:
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.”
Psalm 37:1-2
The word “fret” used here means to burn or to kindle in the original Hebrew. That certainly seems to describe my disposition when I feel threatened. As I described earlier, I roll the thoughts over and over in my mind until they become bigger and I become angrier. The fretting causes me to kindle that anger until it becomes a raging fire within me. How could peace possibly survive in that kind of environment?
This passage also reminds me that I am fretting over a temporary situation. While it may seem to be the most important thing in the moment, this is what distracts us from our purpose (worshipping God) and our mission (shine light to the dark world and encourage others).
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
God wants us to trust Him to handle our difficult situations and relationships so we can focus on our important work.
“Trust in the Lord and do good.”
Psalm 37:3
When we fret over people and difficult relationships, we are attempting to usurp the power of God. Fretting (rehearsing our defense in our minds) assumes that we have the power to fix things. Only God has the power to change hearts and minds – and He is able to do it in a way that brings peace and preserves relationships.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14
As believers, we have a clear mission – encourage others – and specific directions on how to avoid the pitfalls of distraction due to difficult relationships.
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15
Godly relationships do not always include 2 godly people. When we choose to implement God’s ways into any relationship it becomes godly. Use wise boundaries to protect your heart from chronic abuse and choose to trust God in every situation. Only He can see into the heart of each one and He always knows the right way to go!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7