God's love is a healing balm



There are a lot of faithful Christians who suffer from panic attacks and anxiety.  Although they are usually strong in the faith, when a panic attack hits, and they have a meltdown, their trial turns into a field day for false accusers and Job's Comforters. 

They are often told that they are lacking in faith and to cling to the LORD, when it is chemicals in their body that is causing the problem, not lack of faith.  They do nothing to help but add fuel to the fire. Telling a sufferer of a panic attack to have more faith is like telling a drowning man to swim faster. They simply can't and they struggle just to keep their head above water. To add to their woe, they then fear that they have become apostate or are backsliding.  But nothing could be further from the truth.

The truly backslidden or apostate Christian will not turn to God for help therefore she has no worries of feeling unloved by God but the faithful Child of God will be afraid when she cannot break through the clutch of adrenaline that induces a feeling of impending doom (in this case, damnation) Such feelings are false, and during her life when not suffering an adrenaline rush, she knows this and relies on her Saviour. 

The Bible teaches us not to be anxious, but any anxious person will tell you that it is a fact that anxiety will come for no apparent reason. My point is that Satan will use this hormone induced attack on our bodies to make us feel guilty, alienate us from feeling close to God, and cause us to be more anxious. We know it is written we shouldn't be anxious- but here we are with anxiety and guilt as our companion. 

We know we should trust God but often it's not so clear cut and defined. It does us no good to be told we are sinning when it is clearly a chemistry problem which manifests itself as anxiety. In our stronger moments, we are aware of the scriptures. One who suffers from anxiety does not need to be told they are willfully sinning. We need people's understanding and compassion. It goes without saying, that we always have that from Jesus. 

We tend to forget that most often sufferers of anxiety and panic have often been in the midst of the most horrendous of stresses and trials, often for years, and despite being faithful and clinging to God, they have a meltdown. Trials include all chronic illness such as fibromyalgia and disabilities. 

It would behove us all to remember to be Christ-like to these suffering Children of God and comfort them, pray for them and encourage them. Those of us who suffer like this are prime candidates for panic attacks and meltdowns.  We should do unto others as we would have them do unto us:  pray for them,  help them back on their feet and never judge them. Anxiety and panic are no respecter of people: but by the Grace of God, go I. 

Mercy.  Grace.  Compassion.  Love.  Prayer.  All are healing balms for the poor one having a meltdown. We need to tell them there is hope and there is healing and that nothing can separate us from God's love.


© Glenys Robyn Hicks


For I am persuaded,  that neither death,  nor life,  nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things  to  come,  nor height,  nor depth,  nor any other creature,  shall be  able to separate us from the love of God which in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39

8 comments:

  1. I really appreciate your approach to this topic Glenys. Love and compassion help people, not judgment. I'm going to remember your swimming analogy as well. Really helpful! Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love and compassion do far more to help and motivate a person to get better. Judgement just heaps coals of fire on one's head. I am so glad you found it helpful, Marielle. Thanks for sharing a cuppa with me today!

      Delete
  2. Dear sweet Glenys, God bless you for always putting into words my achingly bereft heart. In this case I have learned to treat myself this way and am my own worst enemy. Love you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is hard to be kind and patient with oneself. Others who judge us compound our anxiety as they push our head under water when we are trying to rise about it. Jesus is the Master of Compassion and I believe He wants us to be as well. Thank you for having a cuppa with me, my friend.

      Delete
  3. Glenys, thank you for your compassionate heart. I am moved by your sensitivity to those of us who find that anxiety is their thorn in the flesh ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, I am a sufferer of anxiety and panic disorder. Over the years, I have been very hurt (and harmed) by judgmental Christians and so I write in an appeal for people to offer hope for healing. I point them to Jesus and pray for them with understanding. That's what we need during a meltdown, not more condemnation and fear. Thanks for taking tea with me today, Linda.

      Delete
  4. Compassion truly can go a long, long way toward healing. Listening more and talking less as James tells us. Thank you for sharing your writing.🌸🪴
    Eyes on Jesus and Shine,
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so right, Lisa. Sometimes all you need is someone to listen and just to be there. It helps to know someone is there for you and cares...

      Delete

Thank you for visiting with me today. I love to hear from you. I may not always be able to reply right away, but I will respond to every comment you leave. Blessings and comfort, Glenys