Isaiah is a thoughtful boy who loves his family―but sometimes, his worries feel too heavy to carry. So one day, Mom helps Isaiah imagine what it would be like if each of his worries were a block that he could stash in his backpack. As Isaiah imagines hiking through the woods carrying his worry pack, he discovers the joy and relief of trusting Jesus with everything―especially those worries.
InterVarsity Press
Day1
Scripture: Matthew 6:26
What Are Worries?
The last few nights Isaiah had been having a hard time getting to sleep.
When his mother came in for bedtime prayers, he said, “Mom, this is going to be another bad night. Can I bring a blanket downstairs and sleep on your floor?”
“Scoot over and let’s talk about it,” Mom said. “When I can’t sleep, it’s usually because I’m thinking about things—things that bother me, or things that I’m afraid might not work out the way I want. My brain is worrying, worrying. Can you think of anything that’s worrying you?”
Have you ever had a hard time falling asleep at night? Sometimes we feel scared or nervous about things that could happen. We call these feelings worries. Everyone has worries—even grown-ups! You might worry about tomorrow’s spelling test at school, the fight you had with your sister, or a loved one who is sick.
In Isaiah and the Worry Pack, Isaiah has worries too. And those worries feel so heavy to him that he can’t sleep—like he is carrying around giant bricks in his backpack.
The good news is that we know from the Bible that God cares about our worries and wants to help us. In Matthew 6:26, it says that God takes care of everything around us, even the smallest birds. And if God takes care of even the littlest animals, of course God will take care of us too. Jesus wants to help us carry those worries.
What kinds of things do you worry about?
Let’s try telling God about those worries!
Prayer:
“Dear God, today I am feeling worried about _________________________________.Thank you that you care about our worries and that you want to help us carry them so they are not so heavy.”
Activity:
Worry Birds
Cut a bird shape out of paper. You can use brown paper or color your paper with brown crayons or markers. On your bird, write down one thing you are worried about. Put it under your pillow, and each night this week before bed, ask God to carry that worry for you.
Day 2
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Sharing Our Worries
“You have such a soft heart.” Mom hugged him again. “When the people you love have problems, you pick them up and try to carry them. Then you worry and have trouble sleeping.”
Mom smiled at Isaiah. “Let’s try making up a story together. I’ll start it and you can finish it.”
Isaiah closed his eyes, pulled the covers up to his chin, and listened.
In the story Isaiah and the Worry Pack, Isaiah learns that he doesn’t have to carry his worries alone. Keeping his worries inside will only make them feel heavier. When Isaiah is honest with his mom about his worries, she is there to listen and help him understand his feelings. God puts special people in our lives to be there for us when we feel worried or afraid.
Who has God put in your life that you can share your worries with?
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for putting people in my life that I can talk to about my worries. Help me to have the courage to share my feelings even when they feel heavy.
Activity:
Worry Box
Get a shoebox or another cardboard box you aren’t using anymore. Decorate it and label it “My Worry Box.” Using sticky notes or other small scraps of paper, write down some things you worry about. Every time you start to worry about something, add it to the box. Talk about the things in your worry box with the person God has given you to share your worries with.
Day 3
Scripture: Philippians 4:6
Giving Our Worries to Jesus
When Isaiah shares his worries with his mom, they create a story together. In the story, Isaiah comes to an open field and sees Jesus standing on the other side. Isaiah runs toward him, and they hug. Isaiah then discovers that his worries don’t feel like heavy blocks anymore—they are tiny. Isaiah continues to tell the story:
Then Jesus picks up my worries. “You were very worried, weren’t you?” I just nod. I can hardly talk.
“Can I take care of these for you?” he asks.
I say, “Okay, you can have them.”
Just like Isaiah, when we ask Jesus to carry our worries for us, they begin to feel lighter. And Jesus wants to help us with all our worries—nothing is too big or small to bring to him. He cares about everything that is troubling our hearts.
Are there any worries you have that you feel are too big or too small to bring to Jesus? Can you pray right now and ask Jesus to help you carry them?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for caring about everything in our lives. Today I want to ask you to help me carry this worry: __________________________________________________.
Activity:
A Story with Jesus
Create your own story about meeting Jesus. Where would you meet him? An open field like Isaiah? The jungle? The beach? What would you want to talk to Jesus about? Write your story down or tell your story to a trusted friend or adult.
Day 4
Scripture: Philippians 4:7
Finding Peace
In the story Isaiah and the Worry Pack, after Isaiah gives his worries to Jesus, he is finally able to rest.
When we give our worries to Jesus, that space inside us gets filled with something called peace. Peace feels like a warm snuggly blanket wrapped around our heart. Peace makes us feel safe and calm. Having peace doesn’t mean that our problems go away completely. It just means that we can let go of the worry and finally rest, knowing that Jesus is taking care of us.
Have you ever felt peace? How would you describe it? A warm snuggly blanket? A cuddly teddy bear? A hug from your best friend?
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for the special peace you give us. Help me to feel your peace, especially when I feel worried or afraid.
Activity:
Drawing Peace
What does peace look like to you? Use your imagination to draw a picture of what you think it looks like. If you’re having trouble, use these questions to help:
- Think of a place where you feel calm and safe. What does it look like?
- Think of a person who makes you feel calm and safe. What do they look like?