July 30

Fret Not

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. — Ps 37:7 BSB

It is a mistake to constantly look back and try to recover the past. The Christian life is about moving forward, not dwelling on past experiences, but pursuing the will of God, which is always ahead of us, calling us onward. Leave the things that are behind and press forward to what lies ahead. Every new height we reach brings with it new joys that fit the new experiences. Don’t lament the joys that are gone; there are greater joys ahead. Keep looking up and moving forward—the best is yet to come!

Don’t despair if your ideals seem unattainable. Every ideal you hold is the forerunner of a reality that, in a better form than you can imagine, will one day be yours. The ancient alchemists spent their lives searching for the Philosopher’s Stone, believing it would turn everything it touched to gold. Though they never found it, they laid the foundation for modern chemistry, which has been more beneficial to humanity than the mythical stone ever could have been. Who can say that those old explorers were wrong? Perhaps God was leading them to something greater than they had ever imagined.

Don’t worry about the future. The troubles you fear may never come to pass. The darkest days still have some light. Worrying won’t change the future or the past, but it will drain your strength for the present. It won’t solve tomorrow’s problems, but it will cloud your mind and weaken your heart. Instead, turn to God with faith and prayer, and look for the patches of blue sky in every storm. If you can’t see any, trust that God is working all things together for good to those who love Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we have been anxious and worried about many things. Forgive us, and fill our hearts with great faith in You, so that doubts and fears cannot disturb our peace. Surround us today like a wall of fire, and let us hear Your voice saying: Fear not, I am with you. Amen.