Life does not always (ok ever) work out the way we think it will.
What then?
The temptation can be to become disappointed, and then, when we feel entitled to our hopes being fulfilled, it can lead to agitation.
This culture has trained us to be discontented, friends. Like we are owed something.
The Psalmist wrote about this agitation and mentioned the word “agitated” three times in Psalm 37 (CSB translation).
“Do not be agitated by evildoers;
do not envy those who do wrong.
2 For they wither quickly like grass
and wilt like tender green plants.
3 Trust in the Lord and do what is good;
dwell in the land and live securely.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act,
6 making your righteousness shine like the dawn,
your justice like the noonday.
7 Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him;
do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way,
by the person who carries out evil plans.
8 Refrain from anger and give up your rage;
do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.
9 For evildoers will be destroyed,
but those who put their hope in the Lord
will inherit the land.”
The central message is “Don’t be agitated.”
Sounds easy enough, right? But why is this so important?
Agitation Leads to a Hardened Heart
Because when we give in to agitation it begins to shape us and make our hearts hard. Immovable.
There is a quiet shift that happens in our hearts when life feels unfair.
We don’t always notice it at first.
But over time, agitation begins to take root.
Comparison Leads to a Hardened Heart.
We feel it when someone else prospers while we struggle, when things don’t turn out the way we hoped, when injustice feels unchecked, or when life just feels … hard.
And slowly, if we’re not careful, agitation turns into something deeper:
A hardened heart.
That’s why Psalm 37 gives a repeated and timely command three times:
“Do not fret…” (or “do not be agitated”)
Because God knows how easily our hearts can shift when we fix our eyes on what feels wrong.
What Agitation Does to the Heart
Agitation doesn’t just affect our emotions—it reshapes our posture.
It leads us to:
- compare instead of trust
- control instead of surrender
- rehearse wrongs instead of releasing them
- withdraw instead of love
Agitation makes us reactive.
And reaction is often where softness is lost.
What Psalm 37 Invites Us Into
Instead of agitation, Psalm 37 gives us a better way:
- Trust in the Lord
- Delight yourself in Him
- Commit your way to Him
- Be still before Him
- Wait patiently for Him
Peace is not found in fixing what’s wrong—it’s found in fixing our focus.
When our focus shifts back to God, our hearts begin to soften again.
Scripture Reflection
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on You, because they trust in You.” — Isaiah 26:3
Peace is not the result of perfect control—it is the result of steady trust. As we fix our minds on God and bring our hearts honestly before Him, He meets us not with condemnation, but with sustaining peace.
Closing Prayer
Lord, You see the unrest within us—the thoughts we can’t quiet, the burdens we carry, the places where we struggle to trust You. Forgive us for trying to manage what only You can heal. Help us bring our unbelief to You honestly and anchor our hearts in Your truth. Teach us to trust You in the middle of chaos, and to receive the peace You so freely give. Amen.
Visit the ShameRX Blog for Releasing Shame from Hardened Hearts.
All for Jesus,
Denise