Lighter than Air

 A few days ago, a beautiful yellow air balloon randomly floated over our house.

Hot air balloons fly because they are lighter than air. They are filled with a light gas that rises above the heavier air around it. When you have enough light gas, the air balloon is lifted up and floats in the air.

Sadness, discouragement, complaining and grumpiness are like the heavy air. They make us feel down. Heavy air doesn’t rise.

The light gas is like prayer, praise and thankfulness. When we pray to God and pour out all that makes us feel sad and troubled, our load is lightened. He carries it for us and fills us with peace.

When we praise God and thank Him for His goodness, our spirits are lifted. Our hearts feel lighter, and we feel much happier. It is as if we are rising up in a beautiful hot air balloon.

When the burners are turned on inside the balloon, the balloon rises up. When the burners are off, the balloon gradually goes back down as the air inside it cools. To make the balloon fall more quickly, the pilot opens a hole and lets out some of the hot air.

To keep our spirits up, in a sad and sin-filled world, we need to stay close to God and pray every day. We need to continually thank and praise God, other wise to keep our spirits up. That’s exactly what these three verses tell us to do.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18