One of the synonyms for anxiety is “care.” It implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension. Some people deal with their anxiety by walking around with a chip on their shoulders just waiting to lash out at the next person who crosses their path.
Others, like me, carry around a different kind of weight – the “weight of the world” on my shoulders. I feel it’s my job to try to fix all the problems around me. Anxiety rises within and weighs down my heart.
But there is a way to lift that weight – kind words. It doesn’t take much to lift that chip off someone’s shoulders, or to set the anxiety free. It just takes someone who will stop what they’re doing, smile, and cheer us up with a few kind words and bring us hope.
There may feel like there’s no hope when we’re filled with anxiety, but when someone sits down with you, places their hand on yours, looks into your eyes and says, “I know this is tough. But we can get through this together.” It can wipe away our concerns. Can you be that person today? Can you be the one to say a few kind words? Don’t think of it as a difficult task to do. You may worry you’ll say the wrong thing. But God can give you the words you need and the strength to say them.
Make a difference in someone’s life today and help to lift off their burdens.
Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.