6 Responses to Trouble

Life’s not fair! Any doubts about this truth are quickly dispelled by our own experiences.

There’s no denying life is becoming more difficult with each passing year. Inflation is destroying buying power. Politics is destroying relationships. And lack of exercise and unhealthy habits are shaving years off our life spans.

So how do you respond when trouble knocks on the door of your life? Complain that life is not fair? Live in denial and pretend it’s not happening? Roll with the punches?

The psalmist, King David, offered seven responses to evil people and circumstances in Psalm 37:1-9, taken from the NIV translation. How many do you practice?

1. “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” (vv.1-2).

Let’s face it: telling ourselves not to fret is easier said than done. Yet, that’s what David wrote. It’s not a suggestion, it’s a wise declaration. Don’t fret over those who do wrong. And don’t be envious when their material possessions eclipse ours. Why shouldn’t we fret?

The first thought that comes to mind is that fretting (or complaining or whining) won’t change the situation or change the other person. Evil seems to be undefeatable, but appearances can be deceiving. God is a righteous judge who always judges righteously. Even more critical is that fretting indicates a lack of trust in God’s sovereign handling of the situation.

Which brings us to the second response . . .

2. “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture” (v. 3).

Trust flows and grows from intimate relationship. The better we know God as He revealed Himself in His Word, the more we’re able to trust Him. Instead of worrying about tomorrow, we can enjoy today because our heavenly Father holds both us and our future.

3. “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart”
(v. 4).

Do we “take delight in the Lord”? Is God our greatest delight? Our greatest joy? When He is, He then rejoices over us and delights in giving us those very desires. Troubling circumstances and evil people cannot override God’s joy and care for us.

4. “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun” (vv. 5-6).

David circled back to trusting God as the best response to troubles. Judgment of evil is certain, and so is our eternal reward. Suffering in this physical life is less than a drop in the ocean of eternity.

5. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. Do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes”
(v. 7).

While I’m growing better at waiting patiently on His timing, it’s the “be still” part that still challenges me. Not just wait, but wait silently, without running to find as many people as possible who will listen to my list of frustrations and complaints.

When we are still, resting in our waiting, we are best positioned to hear the prompts of His Holy Spirit when it’s time to proceed through and beyond trying times. These are the times when the best choice in the waiting is to “zip the lip,” or as my friend Lisa is fond of saying, “Zippo the lippo!”

6. “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land” (vv. 8-9).

Giving vent to anger and wrath over evil circumstances or people can feel satisfying in the moment. However this response not only fails to offer practical help, it can also make a bad situation worse! That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have righteous anger against evil. But it does mean that we should not take vengeance into our own hands. Regardless of appearances, God is still on His throne!

How many of these 6 responses to trouble do you practice?
Which response are you actively trying to nurture in your life today?