#anxiety #worry #waterwalkinggirls
On Sunday I made my first post on anxiety and worry and then drove to a nearby Walmart. Walmart pick-up is one of my biggest blessings! Although I was out of town, I trusted that picking up groceries would still be a breeze. As I pulled into my parking space I decided to turn off my engine in case it took longer than I was accustomed to. Shortly a young lady came out and loaded the groceries in my car and went on her way. I fastened my seat belt and pushed the button to start my car. Nothing happened. I took a deep breath and tried again. After my third try I realized the battery must be dead. I have to admit, normally I would have gotten upset. I was not in my hometown, I didn’t know anyone, and my husband was 2 miles down the road without a vehicle to come help me. I began to pray and God immediately reminded me that the words for the week were anxiety and worry and we were not going to let Satan win this battle. I took a deep breath, called my husband Clark and then texted several friends and ask them to pray. When the young lady came back out of the building to help another customer she was surprised to see me still sitting there. I explained what was going on and asked if she or someone else had some jumper cables and could jump off my car. She said she would go check. She was gone for maybe 5 minutes but it seemed more like 50. The entire time she was gone I was battling with Satan so I would be able to stay calm and not get upset. When she returned she told me another employee was pulling her car around. As the car pulled around I praised God for kind people. Out stepped another young lady who handed me a box of brand new jumper cables and said, “These are for you!” I initially thought she just meant that she wanted me to open them for her as she opened the hood of her car. She then said she was going to switch places with the young lady who initially helped me because she knew more about this kind of thing. The next process took at least 20 minutes as my battery was apparently dead as a door nail. I sat in my car praying that this would work and at the same time thanking God for these Good Samaritans. Finally my car started! As we put down the hoods of the cars I rolled up the jumper cables and tried to hand them to the young lady. She said, “No, you keep them. She bought them for you to have in your car.” Tears came to my eyes and I wanted to hug the young lady, but as you know, I couldn’t because of Coronavirus. I was overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness. As I got in my car I took a picture of the parking place I was in so I could later share with you my battle with anxiety and how the kindness of strangers helped me in a time of need.
The Message version of Proverbs 12:25 reads: “Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.” Every single person has their own battles going on today. Every single person struggles with anxiety or worry at some point. Right now our world has so many troubles that affect us all and can cause us anxiety. How can you and I help pick others up? We can be kind. We can share cheerful words. I know at this time we are not out and about or around others which makes it harder to impact others. We have to think outside of the box to be intentional. So today, brainstorm ways you can help lift the weight of anxiety that others are carrying. Send a cheerful text. Make a phone call and share kind words. Write an encouraging note and mail it to someone. Make a positive and uplifting post on social media. Let’s you and I help one another with the battle of anxiety and worry. “Fear not” is in the Bible 365 times which indicates how prevalent this battle is for each of us. Listen to the words of this song called “I will Fear No More.” May these words be uplifting and strength giving for you today.
I Will Fear No More by: The Afters
Side note #1: I once had jumper cables in my car and after years of having them they broke. Apparently we had never replace them.
Side note #2: As soon as I returned to our Airbnb house Clark took my car and bought a new battery.