Comment posted Your Refuge from Panic Attacks and Fear by Mary.
Wow, what a way to start a Monday. I also had a terrible sleep last night. I came out of it fighting and not knowing how to make the fears go away. Then I asked God what I could do about this. Only to come on this morning and read Russ say, “the next thing you should do is nothing”. Hit me like a ton of bricks. I honestly don’t know how to do nothing. Lately I think I fear the fear(that I think I’ve gotten an understanding of) coming back. And so the cycle starts again. I believe I have the obsession part where I can’t let go of a bad thought. I read Dr. Claire Weekes over the weekend and the book was incredible. I thought I was cured. Until last night when my thoughts taught me I could be scared by another bad thought and get into that same boat all over again. That thought terrified me even more than the original thought. I will keep pushing forward and try to have faith I will come out of this better.
Recent comments by Mary
- How to choose between peace and panic
Thanks Jay. I’m not ruling it out, as when I went on his FAQ, something their already helped me. So thanks for your input, you’ve been very kind. It helps to know you are not alone. - How to choose between peace and panic
Thanks for the reply Russ and Jay. Today I heard the phrase “count your blessings”. I’ve heard that for a couple weeks now. I think I finally realized like Russ says, listen for God to talk to you, and I believe it is him saying for me to count my blessings. I’ve been obsessing over little things like hand washing. Then it lead to bigger and much more fearful stuff. I gave up all the small stuff and now I’m trying to work on the big stuff. I think God wants me to realize if I can give up the little stuff, the big stuff can go the same way. Say a prayer for me-I’m really trying. As for the tools Russ, any examples? (Jay I am looking over that package you spoke of-but Im afraid it will give me new anxieties). - How to choose between peace and panic
When you say so I believe you. I’m not sure why. But I will keep pressing on. It is just scary because I never felt like this before. It kind of hit me from left field. I do choose God Russ, as there is no choice there, I just wish the fears would listen and go away. I’ll try to be stronger. - How to choose between peace and panic
I am also trying and trying to follow the right path. Then I found something that said OCD. I’m afraid this might be me. But couldn’t I also choose to obey God and not need medicines and doctors. Up to about a month ago I feel I was totally normal-then bam. Everything went into fear. When I choose to obey God, it really does help, but somehow I end up back here or begging God to help me. Sometimes I feel so alone. Peace and Joy and the normal life I had seem so far away. I want them back. - Choosing Panic or Peace
This story has been most helpful Russ. I find choosing God to be the most wonderful solution. All week since I have read it, I have applied it. And it has worked. Today I am struggling with fear thoughts and I don’t know why. I thought I was in good shape until fear started creeping back in. I keep choosing God, but I still have fear.
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Russ,
I just want to thank you for putting this site together as a comfort and encouragement to those like myself you have been under the grip of anxiety for too long. While I have been learning how to “cope” with anxiety over the past year, I have not learned how to overcome it. This has been discouraging. As I have been reading your blogs I have been receiving wisdom and understanding as to why I have not overcome anxiety in my life. I have learned that it has been my Master, that I fear it. The symptoms, the thoughts, the lack of sleep, you name it. While I have become a “functioning” person, I have not been a person fully alive and that is what I most desire. So this past week I have begun to repent of obeying fear and asking the Holy Spirit to teach me and show me how to not obey. Doing nothing is a good place to start. I have also been learning that I must bring a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving everyday to Father God. This is not always easy to do, but then that is why it is called a sacrifice. I am also connecting with other believers and sharing my need for their prayers and fellowship. This is not easy to do, because it is difficult for them to grasp what anxiety is and how it works in a person’s life. But in it all they are being gracious and longsuffering.
Actually this past weekend I began to experience time periods where I did not even think about anxiety, just lived life with my family. It raised its head again last nite during sleep. I awoke with a jolt. My body felt like your funny bone does when it gets hit (this is the most typical way it hits me at nite). But I just let it be and eventually went back to sleep. But it does leave me tired in the mornings and still feeling it some the next day. It is that kind of stuff that wears a person out by weeks end. I realize that to a large degree I “fear” that aspect of anxiety. But adding fear to what is there only makes it worse or “feeds” it so to speak. So I choose to not add the fear today. Blessings.
Jay, I think you’ve touched on the key to freedom–learning how to not give in to fear. Romans 6:16 says, “Don’t you realize that whatever you choose to obey becomes your master?” It’s true. The more I gave in to fear, the more it became my master. So, as soon as I stood up to that bully, he backed off. It takes baby steps at times, but it is the key to victory! I’m sure of it. My life is living proof that God can give you the strength to stand up against your fears. Today, fear has no hold on my life, and I’m living my dreams. My heart is fully alive! So, be encouraged, you can beat this thing. I used to have “night terrors” all the time, but no more. You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
Wow, what a way to start a Monday. I also had a terrible sleep last night. I came out of it fighting and not knowing how to make the fears go away. Then I asked God what I could do about this. Only to come on this morning and read Russ say, “the next thing you should do is nothing”. Hit me like a ton of bricks. I honestly don’t know how to do nothing. Lately I think I fear the fear(that I think I’ve gotten an understanding of) coming back. And so the cycle starts again. I believe I have the obsession part where I can’t let go of a bad thought. I read Dr. Claire Weekes over the weekend and the book was incredible. I thought I was cured. Until last night when my thoughts taught me I could be scared by another bad thought and get into that same boat all over again. That thought terrified me even more than the original thought. I will keep pushing forward and try to have faith I will come out of this better.
Keep pushing forward, Mary. When fear screams at you, do nothing. Do not obey it. God will give you the strength you need.
Mary,
You, myself and others who battle with anxiety, all struggle with the thought issues. However we got there by practicing wrong kinds of thinking over and over again. We kept giving these thoughts our attention, placing value on them, believing them to be true, when they are really a lie. Eventually we felt powerless to overcome them. I noticed you read Claire Weeks. She teaches what Russ is saying, Do Nothing. Do not engage these thoughts, recognize them for what they are, lies. Do not add fear to them, because that is what they feed on. Do not obey the fear as Russ states. God is present to give you the strength you need to do this each moment and each day. You and I got where we are at by practicing engaging and obeying the fear. But by practicing what Russ is teaching and receiving God’s strength we will come out where our hearts desire.
Hello Everyone,
Last night wasn’t a good night, the last seven days I’ve been sleeping a few hours and today I am discouraged, I have this feeling of not knowing what to do, I feel to cry, I am not working properly today and I have so much work to do. I feel weak and I don’t like to feel this way, I want the Lord to do something when this happens I feel this is too much for me but at the same time deep inside of me there is hope in the fact that God is with me but the feelings of failiure and weakness are so strong. Thanks for hearing me,
Omar.
Omar,
As I read your post, I was reminded of the passage that has come to mind in my times of feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and its effects. It is 2 Cor 12:9-10, in which Paul says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
I for one find it greatly difficult to delight in anxiety and its difficulties. But one thing I have been asking the Lord to do is teach me how to seek and recognize his grace in my life. It is so easy to see God’s grace when all is well or easy in life. But is not so easy when we are in the middle of something that leaves us feeling weak and even helpless at times. However, and it is still a mystery to me, God’s power is being perfected in our lives through all this. I would encourage you today to meditate on his grace and strength in your life. Ask him to reveal how they are working in your life today. He is present. In addition, I would encourage to not “add fear” to what you are experiencing right now with the sleeplessness. You are experiencing a lot of “nervous/adrenal fatigue”. As we add worry and fear to what we are experiencing, it only multiplies the effect. To the best of your ability, meditate on the Lord’s grace and strength in your life and in so doing allow your body and mind to rest from worry.
Blessings
Jay
Jay,
Thanks for your post, it encouraged me a lot. Today I was having the feeling of abandonment and it was very hard, I’ve realized that I feel God is with me when everything is going well but I feel abandoned by Him when my life is not the way I would like it to be and feeling abandoned by God is one of my great fears. I am afraid He will leave me because I am not acting the way He wants, (I easily forget about His Grace) those feelings are very confusing.
I will meditate on God’s grace, I am sure He is here with me with His Grace. Blessings,
Omar.
Hi everyone,
Today I struggle a lot with anxiety and I had a panic attack at the end of the day. Thank God I could stand up again and I feel much better right now. But some of the syntoms that used to provoke anxiety in me have come back and I got a little worried about it. I will go to the Lord since I am waiting for this anxiety to finish. I really want that. Blessings,
Omar.