During 2025, Peachtree Church is focusing on the Book of Psalms with a series called Dwell, through which we seek to deepen our conversation with God and open ourselves to hearing his response. The practice of praying three times each day will unite the voices of our hearts and souls as we seek the day when we will see the full realization of the Kingdom of God, promised in Revelation 21:3: “…Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
We will email devotionals twice weekly with Monday’s providing an overview of the Psalm as a whole, and Wednesday’s focused on that week’s Daily Dwell.
“Do not fret . . .”
Psalm 37:1a
Devotional
An interesting scene in the movie “Chariots of Fire” depicts an awkward conversation between Eric Liddell and his sister Jennie. They were both raised in the mission field in China, but are home in Scotland where Eric’s speed has him on track (pardon the pun) to run in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Jennie feels he is too focused on training and not enough on God’s work in the mission field in China.
“Don’t fret yourself, Jennie,” Eric says.
“But I do fret myself, Eric,” she replies.
While there is much more to the scene, and to the movie, that line, “Don’t fret yourself,” could come straight out of Psalm 37. Or as my mother-in-law likes to say, “Don’t borrow trouble.”
If only it were that easy.
This little phrase—which is repeated twice more later in the Psalm (verses 7 & 8) carries the context of seeing evil seemingly prosper, while people of faith just can’t seem to catch a break.
“Do not fret.” Telling someone that is like telling a four-year old not to put green beans in their nose. It feels like wasted breath.
When you think about it, the things we fret over—or worry about, or lie awake stewing over—are things over which we feel that we have no control, and we carry a sense of distrust. This Psalm invites us to place our trust in God, rather than in others, or ourselves. What we find when we do that—when we release control to God, when we truly trust in him—is that our “frets” go away; they simply dissipate.
So whatever it is that is keeping you awake right now: ”Don’t fret yourself!”
For Reflection
- What do you worry about the most?
- What are the qualities that SHOULD shape our lives as opposed to worry? (See Psalm 37.3-5.)
Prayer
Lord, you know the things that I worry about, the things that keep me awake at night, and the ways I really do fret over things and people. Help me to trust in you, and to release my worries and need for control to you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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Devotionals