Wisdom From Oswald Chamber

The following italicized text is from the Oswald Chambers devotional, My Utmost For His Highest.  It is the July 4th entry.

Entry based on Psalm 37.8--"Do not fret--it only causes harm."

Fretting means getting ourselves "out of joint" mentally or spiritually.  It is one thing to say, "Do not fret", but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret.  It's easy to say, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him" (37.7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people.  Is it possible to "rest in the Lord" then?  If this "Do not" doesn't work there, then it will not work anywhere.  This "Do not" must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work.  And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else.  Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself.

Worrying always results in sin.  We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are.  Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way.  Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God's plans.  Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.

Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle?  Set all your opinions and speculations aside and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1).  Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you.  All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.  

I first read this back in 1997--the year I became a Christian.  It transformed my heart and life.  Previously, I was a worrier.  Actually, worrying represented my biggest flaw!  And do you know, I don't even resemble that person anymore?  Praise God!  The Lord truly changes us!  Because we are focused on our many imperfections, we fail to see how many of them God has obliterated.  

No, we'll never be perfect.  That isn't what he's after.  But Praise God for the growth!

I reread this entry as a reminder when I start to feel emotionally exhausted.  Emotional exhaustion can come from the same root cause as worry--wanting our own way!  When we rest in Him--in what he has planned for us--we have peace. Never weariness.  

I hope this entry blesses you as it has me!