Archive for the ‘Agoraphobia’ Category

The Gift of Hope

Posted in Agoraphobia, Anxiety & Stress, Bible Study, Christian, devotional, Faith, inspirational, Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder Support, Praise, Scripture on July 18, 2007| Leave a Comment »

Blue Bird
An Eastern Bluebird Visits Me – Thank You Lord!

 

Are you tired of the way things are going in your life? Do you have problems in your relationships? Do you feel like you are under the heap instead of on top of it?

I’ve been corresponding with people on the internet for several years now, and if there is one thing I try to leave my readers with it is HOPE. When things get really bad and everything seems out of control sometimes a little thread of hope is all we have to hang onto. But, it is this thread of hope that keeps us going.

So, what is hope anyway? The dictionary says hope is: “belief that something good may happen.“ Yes, we need to have hope, but it needs to be more sure than just a belief. It needs to be something that we can depend on. That’s the kind of hope I want.

I’ve discovered there are two kinds of hope. There is the kind we find in our natural world, which is false hope, and the kind that God gives us which is true hope.

Here are some examples of the worldly kind of hope:

“I guess I’ll buy a lottery ticket and maybe I’ll win and become a millionaire. Then all my troubles will be over.” Lots of people buy into this false hope. Yes, it is possible to win, but not probable. The odds are against us.

“I hope to get that great job.” “I hope to make lots of money and retire early.” “I sure hope the weather is good tomorrow.” “I hope my husband gets that raise.” “I wish things would get better around here.” “I wish I could be a model.” “I hope Danny Boy wins in the 7th race, I’ve put my savings on him.” “I hope I can quit smoking.” None of these hopes or wishes have any guarantees with them. They may or may not come true. They are like a shot in the dark.

Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? We all have and it’s no fun. This happens to children a lot. Maybe a child has been promised a trip to the zoo next weekend, but dad unexpectedly has to work and the family can’t go. That child is heartbroken and feels like a his folks have broken their word to him. It wasn’t intentional on their part, but to the child it seemed like it was. Other times the adults in a family are so self-centered that they really don’t care if they make and break promises to anyone. What about all the broken promises given in wedding vows?

When I was growing up I was disappointed by adults many times. They didn’t live up to my expectations. Every time it hurt me and I evidentially got so I didn’t trust anyone. Has that happened to you?

Later in life I found out there was someone I could trust and that was God. He has given me another kind of hope for today and also or the future. I know he does not lie and He does not break His Word. That gives me a lot of confidence.

My definition of Christian hope: “Hope is the essence of God’s promises.” God has given us many precious promises in His Word. These promises are to help us live our lives full of hope. He never breaks His Word, as He cannot lie. So, if you want hope that is guaranteed then go to the Bible and you will find hundreds of promises just waiting for you to mine them.

(2 Peter 1:4 NASB) For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

God wants us to look to Him for hope.

(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

(Psalms 71:5 KJV) For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.No matter how we feel, we can and must still praise God for He is our help and hope.

(Psalms 42:11 NASB) Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us. Can we say that about people we know?(Hebrews 13:5 NIV) “…Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.”

There are so many wonderful promises in scripture I could fill a book with them. God promises us eternal life, peace, love, grace, wisdom, joy, victory, strength, guidance, that he will meet all our needs, power, knowledge, wisdom, mercy, truth, forgiveness, a personal relationship with God, discernment, counsel from the Word and much, much more.

As you read your Bible you might want to highlight the precious promises that you discover. They are like gold nuggets to be treasured and stored in your heart.

God’s promises restored me as I struggled with fear and anxiety for many years. I learned to claim His promises and that He is dependable and can be trusted to keep His Word.

God has also promised us hope for the future. We have Heaven to look forward to. And, in the meantime, we have the blessed hope, the waiting for his arrival.

(Titus 2:13 NASB) “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,”

Thank you God for the wonderful gift of HOPE!

“Hope…like the gleaming taper’s light,

Adorns and cheers our way;

And still, as darker grows the night,

Emits a brighter ray.” Oliver Goldsmith

Read Full Post »

Shamanism

Posted in Agoraphobia, American culture, Anxiety & Stress, Bible Study, Christian, devotional, inspirational, Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder Support, Praise, Scripture on May 14, 2007| 6 Comments »

Phylox
Creeping Phlox – Spring is here!

 Some people promote shamanism as a viable treatment for panic attacks and agoraphobia.  Because of this I feel I must post this warning. I had panic attacks and agoraphobia for twenty years.  I’ve been free from fear and panic for over 14 years now.  During my illness I discovered the Lord and turned my life over to him.  I studied the Bible and as I put the Word in practice in my life I became well again.  I owe everything to the Lord and his wonderful grace.

 Shamanism is an occult practice.  Let me quote from one who knows.

“Shaman…is a word from the…Tungus people of Siberia, and has been adopted widely by anthropologists to refer to persons…previously known by such terns as ‘witch,’ ‘witch doctor,’ medicine man,’ sorcerer,’ wizard….’  A shaman…enters an altered state of consiousness–at will…to aquire knowledge, power, and to help other persons.  The shaman has at least one, and usually more, ‘spirits’ in his personal service.  To perform his work, the shaman depends on special, personal power, which is usually supplied by his guardian and helping spirits.”  –Michael Harner, anthropologist and shaman.

 Now lets see what the Bible has this to say about such practices:

(Deuteronomy 18:10 KJV) There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

(Deuteronomy 18:11 KJV) Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

(Deuteronomy 18:12 KJV) For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

God hates these kind of practices and we need to be careful that we do not get involved in them.  Why?  Because God wants us to come to him with our problems and he will show us the answers.  He wants us to depend totally on him and not on ourselves or other people.  He loves us and wants to care for us.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Read Full Post »

God Gave Me Security

Posted in Agoraphobia, Anxiety & Stress, Faith, inspirational, Panic Attacks, Praise, Testimonies on December 29, 2006| 1 Comment »

LakeSunset2

My name is Donna and I’m 47 years old.   Living with panic disorder and agoraphobia has been hard for me, but I know that God is with me, holding my hand, every step of the way. 

I was always nervous and insecure as a child.  I’m a victim of abuse from a older sibling.    I was abandoned by my father at an early age and even though he comes in and out of my life, I still lack the kind of security that lies deep within each person.   God has filled that insecurity up within my soul.    There are times when I go out of His will and feel that insecure feeling again, but thanks to God sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins, I can go to Him and ask His forgiveness and feel His love inside my heart.  

I asked Jesus into my heart in 1974, but was what people call a “roller coaster” Christian.   Sometimes I would read my bible, then, even years would go by and I would think that I could do that another time.   But, the Lord always brought me back to Himself and planted my feet on solid ground.  He forgave me of my sins and made me feel secure again.    I had let the cares and worries of this world and of my affliction of panic disorder and agoraphobia almost rule my life sometimes.   I became housebound for a few years.    I’m not housebound now, but I still have to have my sister as my “safe person” when I go out.    I feel that God is healing me of this affliction but in His time.  Some people are healed instantly, while others have a resistant spirit and need more time to come to an understanding of how God works in our lives.   I’m one of those people.   But, God never gives up.  He say’s that nothing can pluck us out of His hand.  

Our comforter, the Holy Spirit, makes the insecurity go away from me and keeps me safe.   “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”   John 14:26   KJV  

It seems in this world today that people are so lost and do not want to be found, but for those who care enough about their lives and eternity, I encourage you to ask Jesus into your heart, to forgive you of your past sins and then go and live a life worthy to be called a child of God.   Ask yourself, where will I spend eternity?    “The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”    1 Corinthians 15:52   KJV

Blessings to all,

Donna Summerlin

Read Full Post »

God Gives Help in Our Thought Life

Posted in Agoraphobia, Anxiety & Stress, Bible Study, Christian, Faith, inspirational, Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder Support, Praise, Scripture on September 15, 2006| 5 Comments »

Sometimes as we read the Word we think, “this is impossible, sure it sounds good but how do I do it?” We are struggling just to make it through the day. What about all those “what if” thoughts that plague us. The thoughts come and race through our heads with all kinds of scary senareos. A panic attack lurks around every corner. But wait, is this how God wants us to live? Not really. He wants us to live at peace with ourselves.

Suppose that God would create a baby and just plop it down somewhere here on earth to fend for itself. How long do you think that baby would last? Not very long I’m sure. But, God doesn’t work that way, he creates babies and gives them to mothers to care for and nourish them. That way the baby can grow and mature into a healthy person.

God knew that we could not fend for ourselves either after we become a new person in Christ, so he sent the Holy Spirit to live in each of us to help nourish and care for us. If you have made Jesus Christ Lord of you life then you have the Holy Spirit living in you.

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, Joh 14:17 even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you.

With the help of the Holy Spirit we can be overcomers! We can conquer our troubled thought lives and have the fruit of the spirit, self-control.

Here is a wonderful scripture that helped me.

2Co 10:5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; (ASV)

He says we can cast down imaginations. Do you realize that a lot of the things we worry about and fret over are just our imaginations? They are things that never come to pass. We have a tendency to blow things out of proportion and think “what if” this or that happens. These thoughts can effect us physically by making our blood pressure rise, our hearts race, and our hands to perspire. God says we can cast these thoughts down. Just throw them out!

Also, he says we can bring into captivity our thoughts to the obedience of Christ.
Wow! When you capture someone or something it means you have them in your possession and you are in control. Isn’t that great! You would have self-control not the other way around where your thoughts are controlling you. I love this verse. It tells me that God has made a way so that our thoughts don’t have to control us.

If you have been experiencing panic attacks for some time you have most likely developed some bad thought habits. Take time out today to think about what you think about. Are they worry thoughts? Are you consumed with how you feel? Is every symptom or feeling multiplied? We have to learn to replace our bad thinking with good thinking. This takes time, but with prayer and help from the Holy Spirit we can do it.

God in his wisdom has told us what he wants us to replace those bad thought habits with.

Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phi 4:9 The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

As you examine your thoughts today you can see if they line up with the above. Are they true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, full of praise? If we can learn to think according to God’s will we can have God’s peace. Did you notice the things mentioned above are really a picture of Christ?

Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

As we set our minds on the things above we will get our thoughts off ourselves and find we are much more peaceful.

Pray and ask God for the wisdom you need to get a healthy thought life.

Jam 1:5 But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him

I pray this message will bless you hearts and minds today, and I welcome your comments.

Blessings,
Bonnie

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts