Did you change the lightbulbs?

The panic had set in. I sensed we had a major issue, yet I kept delaying the project. Convinced our front porch had a significant electrical malfunction, I noticed the lights weren't working. My first instinct was to check the breaker box, assuming I'd blown a fuse. After inspecting all the GFI outlets and resetting them, I became convinced we faced a serious problem that would cost a fortune to fix. Feeling frantic and like I had tried all I knew to do, I called my dad.

“Dad, something major has happened—we're going to need to re-do the front porch!”

In his calm demeanor, Dad listened carefully, asked a few questions, and without making me feel foolish, simply asked, “Have you changed the lightbulbs?”

Light bulbs?! I thought. This is a serious issue; changing lightbulbs won’t solve anything!

“Well, have you tried?” he asked.

“No! I know that won’t work. They all stopped working at the same time! Do you think they magically blew out all at once?” My tone was starting to sound a bit snarky.

“It’s a cheap and easy way to see if that’s what happened,” he replied. “We won’t know until we try.”

Determined to prove him wrong, I grabbed a ladder and a package of new lightbulbs. I studied the lights, convinced my observations supported my case. Climbing the ladder, I replaced the bulb, then quickly descended and approached the light switch, ready to prove to my dad that I was right.

Turning on the switch, the light flickered to life! No way! That’s all it was? How could they all have stopped working at once? My dad was right!

I called him back, filled with surprise and gratitude. “You were right! It was the lightbulbs, but how did they all go out at the same time?”

He explained, “Perhaps they were fading one by one. We just didn’t notice until the last one died.”

I laughed, grateful for his help—and for the inspiration for my next blog!

After replacing the bulbs and admiring our beautifully illuminated porch, I reflected on how this experience relates to our lives.

How often do we jump to worst conclusions? In this situation, I was convinced I'd have to rewire the entire porch, dreading an exorbitant repair cost. This worry led me to procrastinate, gathering evidence in my mind that the issue was far worse than it truly was.

How many of us fall into this trap? Anxiety can spiral, turning minor inconveniences into major dilemmas.

So, what can we do when anxiety overwhelms us?

1. Step Back and Check the Small Stuff: Had I checked the lightbulbs sooner, I could have saved myself weeks of worry and stress.

2. Ask for Another Perspective: When anxiety takes over, it narrows our thinking. The emotional part of my brain was on high alert, desperately searching for evidence to validate my fears. As I fixated on the supposed electrical disaster, I overlooked simpler explanations.

3. Confront the Problem: Avoiding issues often magnifies them. It’s embarrassing to admit I let such a trivial matter trouble me for months. If I had simply replaced a lightbulb, I could have avoided sleepless nights worrying about affording a wiring overhaul.

If you find yourself in a similar predicament, remember: You’re not alone. Take a deep breath, and go check the lightbulbs.