Chapter 6 Stop Fuming and Fretting

A first step is to reduce your pace or at least the tempo of your pace. We do not realise how accelerated the rate of our lives has become, or the speed at which we are driving ourselves. Many people are destroying their physical bodies by this pace, but what is even more tragic, they are tearing their minds and souls to shreds as well.

It is impossible to have peace of soul if the pace is so feverishly accelerated. God won’t go that fast. He will not endeavour to keep up with you. He says in effect: “Go ahead if you must with this foolish pace and when you are worn out I will offer my healing. But I can make your life so rich if you will slow down now and live and move and have your being in me.

To help reduce this tension which seems to dominate our people everywhere, you can start by reducing your own pace. To do that you will need to slow down, quiet down. Do not fume. Do not fret. Practise being peaceful. Practise “the peace of God which passeth all understanding.” (Philippians iv.7.) Then note the quiet power sense that wells up within you.

Learn the art of letting go all nervous excitement. To do this, stop at intervals and affirm. ‘I now relinquish nervous excitement—it is flowing from me. I am at peace.’ Do not fume. Do not fret. Practise being peaceful.

“Come unto me, all that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” (Matthew xi.28.) And again: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John xiv.27.) And still again: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” (Isaiah xxvi.3.)