BY Pastor Andrew Farland
In the Bible, God tells us to cast all of our anxiety on Him, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and He reminds us that He works all things out for the good of those who love Him.
These promises are beautiful and trustworthy.
But, the problem is that our minds can become a barrier, a wall that prevents us from experiencing the life of peace that only God can give. What I’m trying to say is that as much as we want to give God all of our worries, it’s not going to happen when we are in the middle of a season of depression and experiencing frequent panic attacks. And listen: that’s okay!
Scientists have known for decades that men and women who are depressed ruminate more on their thoughts and emotions, and dream more at night, than people who aren’t going through depression.
The truth is that panic attacks are a normal part of depression and anxiety. They are the result of your brain telling your body that it’s in danger, that your life is being threatened. It instigates your natural fight-or-flight response sending an incredible amount of adrenaline through your body. And even though you aren’t actually in a life-threatening situation, it sure does feel like it. Doesn’t it? Your heart rate skyrockets, it gets more difficult to breathe, and you feel suddenly out of control.
What I want you to hear today is that panic attacks are normal. They are just shots of adrenaline, sent by an over-reactive brain, that aren’t going to last forever. Your body doesn’t have an endless supply of anything. So, as you work toward navigating panic attacks, the first thing to keep in mind is that your attacks, and this season that you’re in, are going to stop one day.
I didn’t believe it when I was having dozens of panic attacks per day. But, now that I’m on the other side, you can trust me when I say that things will get better.
Isaiah 40:29
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak”
Be encouraged today because God is with you.
