Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-06-01
A WISE CAUTION.

BY Rev. J. N. BERG.
Fret not myself. Psalm xxxvii.,
l.
This word of advice is not 20 be
confused with its modern substitute,
don't worry" Anxiety is not always
avoidable. Worry of the deepest kind
may arise from various causes. but
what the psalmst says is, Don't wor-
ry yourself Don't fret over imag-
mary difficulties; don't persuade your
self that you are a most i'll used and
unhappy sort of a person; don't take
melancholy views of life. incidentally
making your temper tit the views-in
word, for it cannot be put better,
FRET not myself"
Usually fretfulness is catalogued as
a humor rather than as a sin and asso-
ciated with teething children and
chronic inyalids, but, in fact, there is
something selfish about 1t, since to be
INDUCED with the most delicious enjoy
ment it must b shared with others
and our annoyance is increased ten
fold If nobody takes any notice Grant
ed that fretfulness is but humor
that will pass, still, let it recur toe
often it may become habit. What
ever is characteristic pass, still. let it
recur too often and it may become
characteristic of self 1t may then be
we'll to observe how we may follow
this inspired advice, Fret not thy
self"
The chief cause of fretfulness which
the psamist specifies is envy, such
envy, perhaps, as sent Ahab to bed
and turned his dEfsagreeabIe face to
the wall that he might not see the
vineyard of Naboth. Such envy as
brought fretful Martini to Jesus ask
ing: "Dost thou not care that my
sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid
her therefore that she help me-" To
-hear another praised-and we are not
praised; to see another happy-and we
are not contented, aud how often the
spirit of the elder brother at once be-
gins to put in its fine work. Such a
state of mind is unhealthy and may
result in positive injury TO self and
others; therefore. the psalmist not only
points out its most prolific cause but
hastily proceeds to point out certain
effective remedies.
If the nerves are always kept at the
same tension the body will quickly
wear out Relaxation and diversion
are a necessity. Similarity, it is pos
sible for the soul to indulge in too
much INSTRUMENTATION: it needs at
times to escape from self and think
about somebody else. 1t may trouble
itself too keenly about its spiritual
menu, too punctilious!y inquiring,
what shall l eat and what shall
drink" TO dwell too much on the
delicate nature of the spiritual organ
ism, its liability to errors, and its
proneness to mistakes. changes the
soul into fretful invalid Trust in
the Lord and do good" and the result
will be a healthy digestion. Unselfish
works will take the selfishness out of
life and leave the heart neither time
nor inclination to fret itself
One of the cOmInonest symptoms of
fretfuness is impatience; it is not al
ways easy " ANtSA III llt I1olu anu
wait patiently for him. not an easy
thing to surrender our own Judgment
end commit our way INTO the Lord :"
Men want quick returns to-day on
their investments. They are willing to
cast their bread upon the waters, but
they want to find it again by after
noon; they are willing to go forth, even
with weeping if needs be, bearing
precious seed. but they must doubtless
come again with rejoicing, bringing
their sheaves with them not later than
s o'clock. God las not promised quick
returns, That exceeding weight of
glory" that Paul speaks about is not
due six months from date of first in
stallmeut of faith. I'm due season we
shall reap if we faint not"
Fret not thyself" and there is no.
body else that can. Out of our own
hearts come the thoughts that annoy
and the worries that trouble us. Lock
the door and put the key in Gods
hand; let him do the opening and the
shutting. and for yourself, Trust in
the Lord and do good;'' Commit thy
way unto the Lord and he shall bring
it to pass Rest in him, wait patient
" for him, fret not myself in any
wise"