A Pack of Worries

Read: 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, all you’ve done today is worry,” 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. “What if I make the team but none of my friends do? I won’t know anyone!”

When Felix stopped to take a drink from his water bottle, Dad picked up a handful of stones from the side of the trail. As they continued walking, he reached over and slipped a rock in an open pocket of Felix’s backpack. 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!” 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 rocks. It just makes you tired and doesn’t solve anything.” 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 nodded. “Good,” said Dad. “He gave His life to save you and promises to take care of you. When you remember that, 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 loves you and cares about every detail of your life. Trust Him to handle the problems you face and to give you wisdom. Then you can live without the burden of worry weighing you down.

Today's Key Verse: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Give your burdens to Jesus