Anxiety can be conquered!
Free at last!
My battle with anxiety began many years ago. I had been married to an abusive alcoholic for 12 years when I gave birth to our second child. Shortly after her birth, I started experiencing full-blown disabling panic attacks. I thought I had completely lost my sanity and that I could never have a “normal” life again. For weeks, I struggled just to get out of bed in the mornings. Had it not been for having the responsibility of caring for a completely helpless newborn baby, I might have sunk into the darkness forever. Her presence forced me to function – at least to some degree – in spite of the panic and fear that I was experiencing every day.
For the next few weeks and months, I diligently sought an explanation for whatever this condition was that was plaguing me. I finally found a godly counselor who told me exactly what was happening to me, and explained the “panic attacks.” She was able to verbalize to me all the things I was feeling and experiencing that I had been so sure no one else had ever experienced. Now that the mystery of my perceived insanity was explained, I was convinced that there had to be a way to “walk” out of this horrible condition just like I had “walked” in to it. In realizing that fear had nearly destroyed my life, I accepted the reality that in order to have a fulfilling life, I could not allow myself to be overcome by fear. There had to be a way to live a life of “no fear”. I immediately began searching for ways to reprogram my mind so that I would not be so negatively affected by what was going on around me.
That season of my life set me on a wonderful journey which has never ended. It was the very beginning of my discovering “The Blessing Road.” I learned not only how to overcome the fear and panic that had engulfed me, but also how to seek out the path that would allow me to successfully navigate other challenges that life would bring.
I have a choice in what I allow myself to think about.
One of the first things I learned in my search was that I have a choice in what I allow myself to think about. Yes, unwanted thoughts come unbidden, but we have the choice of whether or not to entertain them. Philippians 4:7 tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. Then it goes further in verse 8, and tells us what TO think about: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (ESV) Wow! If we actually focused on thinking about all those good things, I don’t think we would have much time or – in my case – much brain space left to entertain the negative. LOL! But still, such a simple command is actually very difficult to execute.
We must make a choice!
To be able to keep the right thoughts in our minds, it is imperative to understand that we must make a choice! Just like any other intersection that you encounter, your mind is constantly coming to cross roads where you must quickly choose which path you are going to take. Mental hesitation can be just as destructive as physical hesitation. You wouldn’t pull your car out into the middle of an intersection and just sit there, would you? Of course not! Keeping your mind moving in the right direction is just as important. as keeping your car moving in the right direction. As soon as a negative thought enters, you must quickly replace it with a positive one. If you have trouble coming up with positive thoughts, then take time one day soon to sit down and write some out. These can be anything – memories, favorite places, Bible verses, people – whatever will head your mind in the right direction.
Sometimes, we just need to laugh at ourselves!
And when you are plagued with the old faithful “what if” thoughts, learn to ground yourself in reality. I remember when I was still in the midst of struggling with panic attacks, I would think I surely needed to call the paramedics because my condition was so severe. Then, I would begin to think about what I would say to them when they arrived. I imagined the conversation going something like this:
EMT, “What is wrong with you?”
Me: “My heart is racing and I can’t breathe. I think I’m dying.”
EMT: “Are you in pain?”
Me, “No.”
EMT: “Are you having any other symptoms?”
Me, “No.”
EMT, “What makes you think you are dying?”
Me, “Because I am. I know I am.”
Well, by this time of course, my heart would slow down and my breathing would stabilize because now, instead of being engulfed in fear, my mind is becoming amused at how ridiculous that whole scenario would be. Sometimes we just have to laugh at ourselves. So when you are tempted to let fear and anxiety dictate your thoughts, simply take a look at the lighter side.
Again, don’t think there is a magic formula that will bring instant change overnight. What I am talking about is a completely new way to live. And believe me, it is worth the effort!
(If you are currently experiencing panic attacks, please click below for some helpful hints on dealing with them.)
GUARDRAIL: Choose your thoughts wisely.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)