When Your Stomach Is in Knots

Hey, Carpool Crew! Happy Tuesday, day two. I'm Pastor Justin, and before we jump in, let me give a big shout-out to Reuel and Shekinah from Nairobi, Kenya. So glad you are with us today. And this episode is about that morning feeling when your stomach is doing flips before you even get out of bed. You know the one, the toast is sitting on your plate and you cannot take a single bite because your belly is too busy doing somersaults? Yeah. We've all been there. Let's jump in with the one thing I want you to remember for the ride: Jesus hands you a peace the first day cannot take away. Listen to this from John 14:27. Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don't let your heart be troubled or fearful." When Jesus gives peace, it is not the fake kind that disappears the second something goes wrong. It is the kind that stays. Jesus said this to His closest friends on a really hard night, right before the scariest day of their lives. If His peace could hold them steady then, it can hold your stomach steady on a Tuesday morning. Peace is not your stomach suddenly feeling perfect. Peace is knowing that even with the flips and the flutters, Jesus is right there in the car with you, and He is not nervous even a little. If Jesus were sitting next to you right now, He would lean over and say, "Hand Me the knot in your stomach. You do not have to carry it into that building. I have got it, and I have got you." It is the drive to school. Your backpack is on your lap, your breakfast is barely touched, and your belly will not settle. So you press your hand flat on your chest, take one slow breath, and picture handing the knot straight to Jesus, like passing Him a bag that is too heavy. Hey, this week, try this one thing. When your stomach knots up, put your hand on your chest, breathe out slow, and say six words: Jesus, I am giving You this. One breath, six words, and the heavy thing goes to the One who can carry it. Hey, let's go back to that one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. Jesus hands you a peace the first day cannot take away. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, if Carpooling with Jesus has helped your mornings, would you take thirty seconds to leave a rating or a review? It is a small thing that helps another nervous kid find the show. Before you go, let's answer this question together. Where in your body do you feel worried, and what would it look like to hand that exact feeling to Jesus? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.