APRIL 12, 1 Peter 5:7 

“How many balloons are there?” asked Michael as he and his father walked toward the crowd of people. They were all waiting to see a group of hot air balloons lift off the ground. “I don’t know,” replied Dad, “but this is a huge event. People come from all over to take part in it.”

Most of the colourful balloons were soon inflated and up in the sky. “Wow!” exclaimed Michael as he watched them floating off. “I bet they’re having fun! I remember how it feels to float up toward the clouds! But that time your friend, Mr Seetoh let me and some of the guys go up in his balloon, we couldn’t go very high. The wind was blowing so hard that Mr. Seetoh kept the balloon anchored to the ground with a rope.”

“Yes, I remember that,” said Dad, turning to Michael with a smile. “Do you know what the balloons remind me of today?”

“Birds,” replied Michael promptly. He pointed toward a bright yellow balloon with bold, gold letters. “That one’s like a sparrow.”

“That’s true, and they both fly through the air,” said Dad. “But I was thinking of something very different. I’m reminded that if we truly give our problems to the Lord, He’ll lift them from us and carry them away.”

“I’ve heard preachers say something like that,” said Michael, “but does that mean we won’t have problems anymore?”

“No, but it means that if we pray about our problems and also trust God, we won’t continue to fret and think of nothing else,” explained Dad. “If we don’t really believe He cares for us, we stay attached to our problems- like you guys stayed attached to the ground the day you went up in the hot air balloon.”

Michael nodded. “We couldn’t really float away,” he said.

“No, and just like the balloon would have to be released, we need to release our fears to God,” said Dad. “Instead of continually worrying and fretting, we need to remember that God loves us and wants us to come to Him and trust Him. When we do that, He’ll give us peace in place of our worries.”

Thought: Do you have problems that seem too big to handle? Cast your burdens to the Lord!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, sometimes I worry and fear too much. There are some problems I have – You know what they are, Lord. So please teach me to commit them to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.