Faith cures fretting

According to Charles H. Spurgeon,

To fret is to worry, to have the heart-burn, to fume, to become vexed.

A mother calms her son's fears

It is so easy to become stirred-up these days. All one has to do is watch the evening news for five minutes, or read just a few of those email "alerts" to the great slide of mankind. It is enough to rob any mother of her peace of mind.

But we can't afford this. Too much is depending on us. Our children need the security and love only a heart stilled by the voice of God can offer. They need to know they will still have oatmeal and kisses in the morning.

God tells us that in these times we must "Trust in the Lord and do good," (Psalm 37:3a). To this Spurgeon comments, "Faith cures fretting".

The best way to overcome our negative tendencies to obsess over the wrong or the evil is to do the good and wonderful things God has given us.

Such as making sure our homes are places of order and love. I know this doesn't sound particularly inspirational, but this is something women have been doing since time immemorial when things seem rough. I was told when young that the family could always tell when my great-grandmother was working out an issue by how clean the kitchen cupboards were.

My own grandmother told me never to use my own angst to take destructive actions against myself or anyone else. Instead, why not take that energy and use it constructively?

Instead of barking at the loved ones, and hiding in a quart of ice cream, how about organizing those shoes, planning "stations" in the kitchen, sitting down and reading that favorite book to the toddler, complete with different voices and sound effects?

There's just something about concentrating on the constructive, creative, lovely things in our lives that dispels all the darkness in our minds.

And who would need more of this in these times than our own husbands and children. What would speak more volumes of God's care to our dear spouses than a delicious meal made with love, and then some physical attention as desert?

What would make our children feel more comfortable than a mother who is joyfully creative about making each day a feast for the soul--full of smiling expectation for the day.

It doesn't take money to create a home atmosphere that is joyful. It does take a heart turned to heaven, waiting with expectation for the creative ideas to flow.

I once visited a friend who lived in an older part of our community. Her home was a rented tract-house almost identical to the others on the street, yet when I walked in I was breath-taken at the simple loveliness of her decorations. When I questioned her as to whether she might have been formally trained, she assured me all of her expertise was a work of the Holy Spirit as she had prayed. Her furnishings were acquired from all sorts of sources, including garage sales and the like, and it was evident they were put together with wisdom from above.

A woman seeking to be like that of Proverbs 31 doesn't even have to spend a penny to make her home more livable. She just takes what is already in her hand and makes it better--scrubbing, polishing, organizing and rearranging. 

I am more and more convinced that one of the greatest reasons we have been sliding downward this quickly is because women have abandoned this greatest ministry of all; keeping homes "homey"; places of refuge where empty, weary souls can come to be healed and refreshed.

Even if one can only afford a pot of beans, playing some soothing classical music and lighting a few candles can give it the air of a feast. Simple foods are always better for us, anyway!

But if all one can afford is a pot of beans and even these are served up with the salted tears of worry and fretting, life is hateful indeed!

True faith is actively obedient. Doing good is a fine remedy for fretting. There is a joy in holy activity which drives away the rust of discontent. C.H. Spurgeon

Better [is] a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. (Proverbs 15:17)

All the days of the afflicted [are] evil: but he that is of a merry heart [hath] a continual feast. (Proverbs 15:15)