Fret and Friction

Fret and Friction

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong. (Psalm 37:1)

This morning I needed to be reminded that God allows the pressure in my life to teach me more of His grace and mercy. Admittedly I do battle worry and fret at times in my life. I trust that today’s teaching from Streams in the Desert will speak to your heart as it did mine. – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick.

Never become extremely upset over your circumstances. If worry were ever justified, it would have been during the circumstances surrounding the writing of this psalm. “Evil men” were “dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day” (Luke 16:19). “Those who do wrong” were ascending to the highest places of power and were tyrannizing their brothers who were less fortunate. Sinful men and women strutted through the land with arrogant pride and basked in the light of great prosperity, while good people became fearful and worried. “Do not fret.”

To order a copy, call 800-453-7942.

Never get unduly upset! Stay cool! Even for a good reason, worrying will not help you. It only heats up the bearings but does not generate any steam. It does not help the locomotive for its axles to become hot; their heat is only a hindrance. The axles become heated because of unnecessary friction. Dry surfaces are grinding against each other instead of working in smooth cooperation, aided by a thin cushion of oil. Isn’t it interesting how similar the words “fret” and “friction” are?

Friction caused by fretting is an indication of the absence of the anointing oil of the grace of God. When we worry, a little bit of sand gets into the bearings. It may be some slight disappointment, ungratefulness, or discourtesy we have experienced—suddenly our life is no longer running smoothly. Friction leads to heat, and heat can lead to very dangerous conditions. Do not allow your bearings to become heated. Let the oil of the Lord keep you cool so that an unholy heat will not cause you to be regarded as one of the “evil men.”

Reimann, Jim; Cowman, Mrs. Charles E. (2008-09-02). Streams in the Desert: 366 Daily Devotional Readings (p. 76). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Team YOU: Leviticus 19-20; Proverbs 16; Matthew 27:51-66

Motivations: God does not ask us to like everyone we meet but he does ask us to extend HIS compassion toward them. Kindness is a powerful weapon in the hands of one who has learned to love. Katherine Walden 

Practice to Remember: Level 1: Ephesians 2:19; Level 2: Ephesians 2:19-22

Powered Up:  The key for the empowerment of the church … is the moving of the Holy Spirit in the midst of a worshipping, prayerful community of God’s people. Only then can the church be the church. – Charles Colson