Have you ever experienced a stomach-clenching, heart-racing,
mind-reeling, surge of panic that comes with the realization that some aspect
of your life has just spiraled out of control?
Hearing an unexpected diagnosis of cancer or the news that your spouse has been fired in a sudden corporate downsize can cause panic. Misplacing the envelope of money that the lady at the bank handed you when you cashed your paycheck or discovering that you fell for a scam that has left you financially and physically vulnerable can fill us with gut-wrenching fear.
Whether by our own creation or through circumstances beyond
our control, most of us have experienced that desperate, Lord-help-me feeling at
some point in our lives. What do we do about it? 2 Timothy 1:7 states,
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a
sound mind." So how do we regain that “sound mind”? Here are 13 things
that I find help to calm me when the tornadoes of life touchdown.
*Reminding myself that I am not alone—Jesus is always with
me.
*Sharing with someone else what is going on.
*Having others pray about the situation.
*Being wrapped in the arms of someone who cares.
*Having someone take my hand and walk with me.
*Reading and recalling God’s Word.
*Taking intentional deep, slow breaths.
*Getting better informed.
*Taking someone calm with me into a tense setting.
*Hearing how someone else handled a similar problem.
*Listening to quiet Christian music.
*Working on something I CAN control.
*Taking a walk outside.
We all have triggers that bring on that scary feeling of life spinning out of control. Thankfully, God has given us His Holy Spirit to strengthen, comfort, and guide us. (John 14:16) He also encourages us to reach out to others (James 5:16), to friends, family, and fellow Christians during those times when we can’t seem to “get a grip” on our own.
Be encouraged!
