My heart was racing. Breathing was difficult. My body went limp. PANIC ATTACK! In my late 20's and early 30's, I experienced a lot of anxiety. When I was 32, I had a level 3 panic attack. I thought I was dying. We rushed to the hospital. Vitals were monitored and my veins were injected with a drug to calm me. Within minutes, it improved my demeanor. This major panic attack took a toll on my body for several months. Only time and change allowed me to fully recover from this episode.
I realized that I must set boundaries in my life and with the people around me. Overwhelmed with life's demands, I knew something had to change. I began seeking resources for taking better care of myself. God put people in my path to help me and walking became my new sport to help balance the serotonin levels in my brain to calm the anxiety. Most importantly, I steeped myself in the scriptures for assurance of God's love and care. I simply needed God to hold me and reassure me of His love and steadfastness.
Photography by Ann Wayne
My sun room and the Psalms were my favorite places to dwell early in the mornings. They brought the peace I was seeking. I go to the Psalms today and discover the same highlighted scriptures that brought me comfort in those days. "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4 is one of the many verses that remind me of God's covering over my life.
I am going through a season of uncertainty now as I write this. Again, I go to God's word for comfort. "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
I talk to a lot of people who have lost jobs, who could lose their homes, who are dealing with illness, who are going through separation and divorce, or who have troubled children. Because I have faced a lot of adversity, I believe that we are supposed to reach out to those struggling. It has become my life mission. Many times, I will point them to the Psalms.
Are you struggling with something? Nothing can give you peace like steeping in the Psalms. Try it. You may find that you like to highlight the verses for later references. GOD'S WORD HAS HOLDING POWER! It could change your life!
