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I. THE SIN. Fretfulness is a sin against, —

1. Ourselves. Destroys peace of mind; the mother of bitterness, harshness, fault-finding.

2. Others. Robs homes of their happiness.

3. God. John Wesley once said, "I dare no more fret than curse and swear." To have persons at my ears murmuring and fretting at everything, is like tearing the flesh from my bones. By the grace of God I am discontented at nothing. I see God sitting on His throne, and ruling all things."

II. The causes.

1. Envy.

2. Covetousness.

3. Want of faith in God. I have read that one of Cromwell's friends was a fretting Christian, to whom everything went wrong. On a certain occasion, when unusually fretful, his sensible servant said, "Master, don't you think that God governed the world very well before you came into it? Yes; but why do you ask? Master, don't you think God will govern the world very well after you go out of it?" "Of course I do." "Well, then, can't you trust Him to govern it for the little time you are in it?"

III. THE CURE.

1. Look on the bright side of things.

2. Look not merely at the present, but think of the future.

3. Have faith in God. Then you will welcome whatever comes, knowing that He can help, even by adverse circumstances.

(J. Scilley.)

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KJV: {A Psalm of David.} Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

WEB: Don't fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.