Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. – Psalm 55:22
I’ll tell you what, some days it feels like all I’m doing is slipping and falling. Worry, stress, anxiety, fear, despair… they all crowd right in, don’t they? But there’s one monster that rules them all, and when he comes around, it’s all I can do just to hold tight and survive the suffocating ride.
Today I’m talking about panic attacks.
These things shake me to the core. They make me feel like I’m drowning. Floundering. Losing… Lost.
Dying.
When I’m in the midst of an anxiety or panic attack, all I can do is whisper the name of Jesus. But when the smoke starts to clear and the dust starts to settle, I like to do this little grounding exercise. I found one that taps into each of the five senses, but what I really wanted was to make it about God and scripture, so I made my own that is based on this verse:
I’ve put my exercise into my journal, so that I can find it easily when I need it. I hope you will, too.
* Whisper six things that are true
* Sing five things that are honorable
* Think to yourself four things that are right
* Speak aloud three things that are pure
* Talk to God about two things that are lovely
* Breathe one thing that is admirable
* Shout praises to the King of Glory
I find that this little exercise helps me to breathe more evenly, and refocuses my mind on what I should be seeking first. It really does help to calm me, both during and after a panic attack. I hope it will do the same for you.
Thank You, Jesus, for lending us Your Name in the scariest of times. Thank You for reminding us what to focus on. We love You. Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Shelly,
Thank you for talking about panic attacks. I have severe anxiety attacks. It helps SO much to know that I am not alone in this. Sometimes it seems like Christians are ashamed to admit to this……
This daily series could not have come at a more appropriate year in my life.
Love you!