Archive for the ‘Panic Attacks’ Category

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.

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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

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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

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