By Tammy Pfaff
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Fear literally causes a physical reaction in us. Fear is a feeling that bubbles up inside of us. Fear can happen in just about any situation. Sometimes our reaction protects us. Other times it hurts or hinders us. Fear can cripple us, even take us down if we let it. We can run from fear or we can face our fear. The Good News says, we don’t have to do it alone.
I’m afraid of a lot of things. I’m a little afraid of driving on the highway. I say a prayer before I make an attempt. Some are scarier than others in fact, there is one highway in our city of Philadelphia that I will not use. The Schuylkill Expressway. I’m ok with that.
I’m afraid of scary movies. I can’t even handle major action-packed films without getting a little crazy. My heart races, I hide behind a pillow, spontaneously jump up out of my seat and run for the door. I often come back for more because curiosity gets the best of me. I do the same thing over again.
Some things in life can be really scary, especially in the world we live in today. According to the CDC, we have over five million cases in the U.S. today. It is a very scary situation we are in. The epidemic of Covid-19 has our nation in a state of fear. (Most of us anyway. Some are not taking it serious at all. That is a different story altogether.) But most of us are fearful of the current situation. Some have to put themselves in danger more than others because of what their job requires. Anxiety and panic attacks are bound to increase across the country. How are we handling these anxieties?
Many years ago, early in my struggle with depression, I developed panic attacks. They seemed to come out of nowhere without rhyme or reason. Thankfully most of them happened in the privacy of my home. After talking to my psychiatrist, I realized I was afraid of the attack, afraid that I would stop breathing and die. He asked me what would happen if I gave into the fear and let the attack playout?
I had to gear up to do this exercise and trust that God would have my back. One afternoon I faced my fear. I began to hyperventilate as usual. This time, instead of panicking, I didn’t fight the attack. I let it happen. Although I still had to breathe into a paper bag to slow my breathing, the duration of the attack was cut in half. I survived. My fear lost its power over me. The attacks diminished.
That exercise might not be possible with different symptoms of panic attacks. But I have learned by my own experience that if I follow the instructions in the verse above, I can conquer anything. I seek God’s presence, ask for strength and guidance. I still have anxiety from time to time, but I’m no longer afraid of its power knowing God has my back.
How are you handling your fears? Have you learned different ways of dealing with them? Consider sharing, you never know who you may help. Be a blessing to someone and share today. 😊
Dear Father,
Every fearful situation is different. I thank you Lord, knowing I don’t have to face my fears alone. I don’t have to be discouraged because you will strengthen me and be with me. Help me to move through them. Equip me Father. You will conquer my fear. Protect me Father. I have faith that am in Your hands today.
In Jesus’ name I ask,
Amen.
I’m afraid of a lot of things. I’m a little afraid of driving on the highway. I say a prayer before I make an attempt. Some are scarier than others in fact, there is one highway in our city of Philadelphia that I will not use. The Schuylkill Expressway. I’m ok with that.
I’m afraid of scary movies. I can’t even handle major action-packed films without getting a little crazy. My heart races, I hide behind a pillow, spontaneously jump up out of my seat and run for the door. I often come back for more because curiosity gets the best of me. I do the same thing over again.
Some things in life can be really scary, especially in the world we live in today. According to the CDC, we have over five million cases in the U.S. today. It is a very scary situation we are in. The epidemic of Covid-19 has our nation in a state of fear. (Most of us anyway. Some are not taking it serious at all. That is a different story altogether.) But most of us are fearful of the current situation. Some have to put themselves in danger more than others because of what their job requires. Anxiety and panic attacks are bound to increase across the country. How are we handling these anxieties?
Many years ago, early in my struggle with depression, I developed panic attacks. They seemed to come out of nowhere without rhyme or reason. Thankfully most of them happened in the privacy of my home. After talking to my psychiatrist, I realized I was afraid of the attack, afraid that I would stop breathing and die. He asked me what would happen if I gave into the fear and let the attack playout?
I had to gear up to do this exercise and trust that God would have my back. One afternoon I faced my fear. I began to hyperventilate as usual. This time, instead of panicking, I didn’t fight the attack. I let it happen. Although I still had to breathe into a paper bag to slow my breathing, the duration of the attack was cut in half. I survived. My fear lost its power over me. The attacks diminished.
That exercise might not be possible with different symptoms of panic attacks. But I have learned by my own experience that if I follow the instructions in the verse above, I can conquer anything. I seek God’s presence, ask for strength and guidance. I still have anxiety from time to time, but I’m no longer afraid of its power knowing God has my back.
How are you handling your fears? Have you learned different ways of dealing with them? Consider sharing, you never know who you may help. Be a blessing to someone and share today. 😊
Dear Father,
Every fearful situation is different. I thank you Lord, knowing I don’t have to face my fears alone. I don’t have to be discouraged because you will strengthen me and be with me. Help me to move through them. Equip me Father. You will conquer my fear. Protect me Father. I have faith that am in Your hands today.
In Jesus’ name I ask,
Amen.
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