“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7
Our culture is gripped with anxiety. And it’s no wonder with all that’s going on in the world. Even many believers are dealing with anxious thoughts. Yet, the Bible tells us that outward circumstances shouldn’t disrupt a Christian’s inward peace. So how do we make that a reality? As King David looks back on his life, he helps us understand how to overcome worry and anxiety.
David says, “do not fret” three times in Psalm 37:1–11. And each time, it’s connected to some kind of evil, wrongdoing, or wicked scheme. The fact that sin exists in the world means we have to combat its effects every day. But remember, the Bible calls this life vapor (James 4:14); everything we face here is temporary. We don’t have to be victims of the vapor!
The antidote for anxiety is to “Trust in the Lord” and “Delight yourself in the Lord” (vv3-4). The more we trust Him with our day-to-day lives, the more He becomes our source of strength and peace. We can take pleasure in knowing that He is in control, even in difficult situations. Trusting God isn’t blind faith—it’s informed faith. And we cultivate faith by knowing His Word.
Delighting in the Lord comes with a promise, “And He will give you the desires of your heart” (v4). That doesn’t mean God gives us whatever we want, but that we align our desires with His desires. You see, this promise has a condition, “Commit your way to the Lord” (v5). That’s more than believing what God says—it’s wholeheartedly acting on those beliefs.
