Stay Cool ∙∙
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalms 37:4
Psalms 37:1-8
Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.
He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the LORD and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper, or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper – it only leads to harm.
Understanding Anger: A Natural but Complex Emotion
Anger is a basic human emotion that can arise from a range of triggers, including personal frustrations, societal issues, political disputes, and other stressors. It functions as a natural response to situations perceived as threatening, unjust, or wrong. Psychologically, anger is closely connected to the fight-or-flight response, a mechanism designed to protect us from potential danger.
The experience of anger involves a cycle of emotional responses. Triggers, whether internal (e.g., thoughts and feelings) or external (e.g., specific events), initiate this process. These triggers are often quickly and unconsciously interpreted, activating neurochemical reactions that lead to feelings of anger. This emotion can then be either internalized or expressed through our actions and behaviors (uhs.berkeley.edu/bewellatwork).
The Futility of Anger
How often do we get upset when life doesn’t go as planned? When we face obstacles or unmet expectations, our first reaction is usually anger. Sadly, this emotion can escalate into fury, further complicating the situation.
What purpose does anger serve? The short answer: none. Anger resolves nothing and often exacerbates the very issues it tries to fix. As Shannon L. Alder wisely says, “Anger, resentment, and jealousy don’t change the heart of others, it only changes yours.”
The longer answer is found in James 1:20: “Man’s anger does not produce God’s righteousness.”
A Better Way: Responding with Trust and Calmness
The Father offers a more excellent way to handle life’s challenges. Instead of reacting with anger, we are called to respond thoughtfully and with trust. This involves looking at the bigger picture and choosing not to fret.
Psalms 37:1: “Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers.”
The Hebrew word charah, translated as “fret or worry,” conveys the “idea of burning, becoming heated, or agitated.” As Wiersbe explains, “David’s message was, ‘Cool down and keep cool!’ He argues that the wicked are temporary and will one day be gone.” A fretting heart is not a trusting heart, and fretting often leads to anger.
David offers five helpful instructions in Psalms 37:
- Don’t fret (Psalms 37:1, 7, 8).
- Trust in the Lord (Psalms 37:3).
- Delight in the Lord (Psalms 37:4).
- Commit yourself to the Lord (Psalms 37:5-6).
- Rest in the Lord (Psalms 37:7).
Instead of suppressing negative emotions, David shows how to replace them with positive ones. He trusted the Father, delighted in His presence, and committed his actions to Him, knowing the Father would provide help when needed.
Endurance Through Trials
James echoes similar wisdom, encouraging children of the King to perceive obstacles not merely as difficulties but as valuable opportunities for personal and spiritual development James 1:2-4:
“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
REFLECT & PRAY
Is it really that simple? Yes, absolutely! Instead of reacting impulsively with raw emotions to life’s challenges, every child of the King can learn and practice the skill of following the Father’s guidance by staying calm and engaging in thoughtful reflection.
Father, I recognize how often I fret and become angry when life doesn’t go my way. This reaction feels natural, yet I know it is not aligned with the principles You have set forth for Your children. Encourage and strengthen me to live in harmony with Your guidance, trusting in Your wisdom and provision.
INSIGHT
The Joy of Delighting in the Father
As we diligently learn and apply the Father’s teachings, an extraordinary outcome awaits us, an unforeseen blessing. He fulfills the desires of our hearts, bringing to life our most cherished aspirations. This profound truth is beautifully expressed in Psalms 37:4-5: “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.”
What Does It Mean to Delight in the Father?
Delighting in the Father is not the same as the fleeting joy of children who burst with excitement when they get something they want. It goes beyond focusing on what He does for us or the gifts He gives. Instead, it is based on recognizing and valuing Who He is. The Father’s nature is not only to care for children of the King but to shower them with love and blessings. How remarkable it is to have such a loving and generous Father.
The Hebrew word anog, translated as “delight,” originates from a root meaning “to be brought up delicately,” “to be pampered,” or “to be raised in luxury.” “To delight in the Father is to take pleasure in Him, to enjoy and be satisfied with His presence.” This highlights the importance of embracing the joy of being cared for, nurtured by the Father, emphasizing that our genuine happiness and fulfillment come from Him.
As Wiersbe notes, our joy and blessings are found in the Lord Himself, apart from the material gifts He provides. The SPCL translation even phrases it as, “Love the Lord with tenderness.” This tender love and delight in the Father become the source of the innermost joy for every child of the King.
A Human Analogy: Refreshment and Rejuvenation
On a purely human level, consider the feeling of relaxation and reinvigoration after a long day’s work when you take a refreshing bath or shower. In that moment, the world feels good, and you are delighted by the simple pleasure of being refreshed. Similarly, as children of the King, when we embrace and cherish our relationship with the Father, we experience immense joy in His wonderful and delightful nature.
Barriers to Experiencing Delight
For many, this delightful connection with the Father may feel elusive. Why is that? Often, it comes down to timing. The Father operates according to His divine script and timeline, which may not align with our expectations.
Another possibility is that we are not fully following His guidance. Even when we are convinced, we are doing everything right, there may be areas where we are mistaken. The Father’s blessings flow when we align ourselves with His will and trust in His perfect plan.
The Choice Before Us
The choice is ours: we can indulge in unproductive fretting and anger, or we can choose to embrace the incredible calmness, peace, and joy that come from trusting the Father. By doing so, we open ourselves to the fulfillment of our deepest longings and desires.
As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
When we commit ourselves to the Lord and delight in His presence, we discover that our efforts are never in vain. Instead, they lead to a life of purpose, joy, and fulfillment in Him.
While anger is a natural emotion, it is most often counterproductive. The Scriptures offer us a clear framework for managing this emotion: trust in the Lord, take delight in His presence, and commit your ways to Him. By replacing negative reactions with positive, faith-based responses, we can navigate life’s challenges with grace and wisdom.
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© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 