Hey friends. Welcome back to Carpooling with Jesus. I'm Pastor Justin. And to end the week we're talking about something we all feel sometimes, worrying. Have you ever been nervous or worried about something? Maybe it's a big test, a game, or even just what to wear tomorrow. Let's see what Jesus says about worrying and how we can handle it. In the book of Matthew chapter six, verse 34, Jesus says, don't worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Isn't that such good news. Jesus is saying, hey, don't let tomorrow's what-ifs ruin today. But how do we actually stop worrying? Let's think about it like this. Imagine you're on a road trip with your family. You start thinking about everything that could go wrong, like what if we get a flat tire or run out of snacks? Would that make the trip fun? Nope, not at all. But if you let go of those worries and just enjoy the ride, play games, listen to music, and trust your parents to handle things, it's way more fun. That's exactly what Jesus wants us to do. He wants us to enjoy today and trust him to take care of tomorrow. So how can we do that? Here are some easy ways to stop worrying and enjoy today. Focus on right now. What's something fun or helpful you can do right now? Maybe it's drawing a cool picture, playing a game, or being kind to someone, like helping a friend or giving your siblings a high five. Little things can make today awesome. Talk to God about it. If something is making you worried, tell God how you feel. He loves to listen and wants to help. You could say something like, God, I'm nervous about my test. Please help me stay calm and do my best. Talking to God can make you feel so much better. Or you could take a deep breath. When worrying shows up, pause for a moment. Breathe in like you're smelling a flower. And breathe out like you're blowing out a candle. Do that a few times. It's like pressing a reset button and reminding yourself that God is with you and he's in control. Lastly, think about what could go right. Instead of imagining what could go wrong, try thinking about what might go right. Maybe that test will be easier than you expected, or your game will be so much fun. Focusing on the good stuff can help you feel way less worried. Let's imagine a story. You're getting ready for a school play and you're really nervous about forgetting your lines. Instead of worrying, what if you focused on practicing and doing your best? Trust that your teacher and friends will help you if you need it. You'll probably do great. You can always ask your family and teachers for help when you need it. They can help remind you that everything will be okay. Remember friends, no matter where you are or what's going on, God loves you so much. Before we go, can I teach you a short Friday prayer. It goes like this. God, thank you for this week. Help us finish strong today and bless our weekend with joy and rest. Amen. I'll see you next week on Carpooling with Jesus, where we turn every car ride into a faith-filled moment. Parents, if you love this podcast, share it with your parent friends so they can turn their car rides into faith-filled moments too. Here's today's question. Try to answer it before you get out of the car. What's one worry you want to give to God today?
