A Pack of Worries

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

“What if I don’t make the team, Dad?” Felix asked as they hiked a rugged trail. He had spent most of their backpacking trip finding things to worry about.

“Felix, I bet by now you’ve listed a dozen things that worry you,” Dad said. “I could understand your concerns if we were fending off mountain lions or something, but the most dangerous animal we’ve seen was the timid gray squirrel that scurried across our path a few minutes ago.”

Felix wasn’t listening. He was too busy worrying. “And what if Maggie is still mad at me?” he continued. “I said I was sorry a thousand times, but she hardly talks to me anymore.”

Dad frowned and picked up a large stone from the side of the trail. As they walked, he reached over, unzipped Felix’s backpack, and slipped the rock inside. Felix didn’t even notice.

“What if I don’t figure out the new stuff we’re doing in my math class? It’s so hard!” Felix sighed. “I’ll fail, and you and Mom will ground me for a month!” With each new worry Felix brought up, Dad managed to sneak a rock into his backpack.

“I’m getting kind of tired,” Felix said after a while. “What if I get too tired to finish the hike? Maybe we should turn back.” Dad added another rock to the backpack. This time Felix noticed.

“What are you doing?” he asked. He stopped, took off his backpack, and opened it. “Dad!” he said with a groan. “My pack is heavy enough without these rocks! Why are you making it heavier?”

Dad shrugged. “It’s not much different from what you’re doing yourself, is it?”

“I’m not picking up rocks!” Felix said.

“No, but worrying about every little thing is kind of like carrying a load of heavy rocks. It just makes you tired and everybody around you miserable.” Dad took off his backpack. “Let’s take a break. We’ll dump the rocks from your backpack, and I think it would also be a good time to pray and give your burdens to Jesus. Don’t you agree?” Felix sighed and nodded. “Good,” said Dad. “When you remember what He’s done for you and trust Him to take care of you, you’ll be able to live life without being weighed down by worries.” – Mike Dize

How About You?

Do you spend a lot of time worrying? Has it ever helped you? Instead of fretting about things you have no control over, go to Jesus with your worries. He’s in control of everything, and He always does what is good. Trust Him to handle the problems you face and give you wisdom. Then you can live without the burden of worry weighing you down.

Today’s Key Verse:
1 Peter 5:7 [Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Give your burdens to Jesus