Don’t Fret - Choose Joy!

“Do not fret because of those who are evil

Or be envious of those who do wrong;

For like the grass they will soon wither,

Like green plants they will soon die away.”

Psalm 37:1-2

This passage is alluding to our tendency to fret when others are doing wrong and I don’t want to discount that part - context is important - but I do think the verse also applies to any situation when you might be fretting. Psalm 37 repeats the phrase, “Do not fret” 3 times, so I think it is safe to say that we should take notice!

I love word study! When I look up a word in its original Hebrew or Greek it helps me to understand God’s Word more deeply and apply it to my life.

The Hebrew word for fret is charah and it means to burn or kindle. When we fret, we are essentially dwelling on a negative circumstance or feeling that we have no power to change. When we dwell on these things, we are cherishing futility.

“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

Fretting (charah) is focusing on the temporary as Psalm 37:2 reminds us.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let Perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4

The Greek word for joy is Chara, and it means to recognize God’s grace. I find it interesting that this Greek word is pronounced similarly to the Hebrew word for fret, charah.

Fretting (charah) is a choice - we can decide to dwell on the circumstances we cannot control…

Or

Joy (chara) is a choice  - it is deciding to be grateful for God’s presence in the midst of the trial and understanding that there is purpose and result in our suffering.

What will we choose? Charah - fret, or Chara - Joy?

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12