You Can
Overcome panic attacks and anxiety!
That is great news to those who suffer day in and day
out, year in and year out. I have and I know that you
can too.
THE SYMPTOMS
For me it started with heart palpitations. My
thoughts immediately steered to fear. Then my throat
would become dry so I could not swallow. Then my body
would feel "weird". Dizziness and blurred vision. By
this time I was convinced that I was about to die. I
kept waiting for the symptoms to get worse and they did.
I use to suffer from panic attacks so badly that I had
to go to the hospital by ambulance. I was so embarrassed
when the doctor checked me and told me that there was
nothing wrong with me. When I had to go grocery shopping
I would get a funny feeling in my stomach before I left
the house. Once I got inside the grocery store I felt
like I had to run out or else I would become
overwhelmed. I dreaded the thought that I might have a
panic attack in public. I had to talk to myself and
prayed up and down each and every aisle of the store. I
knew that if I ran out, my family would not have food
and I would have to start all over again. The people in
the store had no idea the personal torture I was
experiencing. People at church had no idea how hard it
was to sit in a large crowd.
AWARENESS When the symptoms first started, I
had no idea what was happening to me. One day I was
watching T.V. and some people were on a show talking
about the symptoms and the light went on, "That's me!
That's what I have been going through". That was the
beginning of my healing! Knowledge is power. I thank God
that He allowed me to turn to the channel and hear those
people talking. I also helped me to know that I was not
alone. I suppose that those of you who suffer from the
effects of anxiety are glad to hear that you are not
alone also.
Steps to Overcoming
1) Read as much as possible about anxiety and
understand what are some of the causes.
2)Go to a counselor or therapist to get to the bottom
of the anxiety. The physical discomforts are trying to
get your attention - Pay attention to a greater dis-ease
within. Pray for God to send you to the right person. He
will.
3) Listen to a tape or CD for RELAXATION This was one
of the things that helped me tremendously. I needed to
reprogram my mind with positive and true statements that
were life giving and empowering.
4) Exercise Physical exercise has tremendous value.
It releases chemicals that generate good feelings.
5) Meditate on scriptures that enhance your trust in
God. One scripture that helps me when I really let it
sink in is: Matthew 5:25-34. Am I not more than a bird
to God? You better believe it and so are you! Birds
don't work or store up food yet God takes care of them.
Wow! The next time you see a bird think about that!
God's Power to Heal
God still heals. We must let go of all the passed
disappointments, and betrayals. God is not like any
human being with whom we have had a relationship. God
faithful and just. Jesus walked this earth so you can
talk to Him about yours trials here on earth. Pray as
the early disciples did, "Lord, increase my faith".
FAITH is the opposite of anxiety. Faith not only pleases
God but keeps us trusting in God's fatherly care. I am a
witness!! Praise God!
If just one person is helped by this article, I will
have accomplished what God set me out to do - Help
someone along our earthly journey.
Pray for me. I will pray for you.
Glenda M. Thomas is the editor of Sister 2 Sister
Newsletter.
