Trust and Do

​One reason it is so easy to fall into complaining is the obvious fact that sometimes arrogant and self-absorbed people thrive. Self-centered people often find themselves rewarded for their actions and attitude. 

How can this be? It isn’t right!

King David counsels: 
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.
    Trust in the LORD and do good;
        dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. (Psalms 37:1–3)


David and his pastures! Doesn’t he see that evildoers thrive and God’s people suffer?

Doesn’t God see?!

    Trust in the LORD and do good;
        dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

The counsel we get from David is not a direct answer to our question. He does not directly address our pain or frustration. His answer is intentionally indirect. Indirect and psychologically astute.

Trust and enjoy God.

Trust is a decision to be confident in God, followed by a thousand little decisions to cooperate with God despite our circumstances. It is a refocusing from our negative circumstances to the positive that God brings about. We intentionally remember the good that God does and is. 

It is a way of paying attention to what we can control (our focus, our thoughts), and letting go of what we cannot control (evildoers, and the consequences of their actions).

We trust God because he is good. We trust God because that is something we can do — we can change our focus. It is a kind of spiritual discipline to notice and change what we think about. 

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can, 
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Amen.