Don’t Panic!

What is the first thing you do when someone tells you not to look down? Most people automatically look down. The same thing can be said when you tell a person not to panic. This brings attention to their already vulnerable state. Have you ever told a woman to calm down? How did that work out? Telling a person not to panic when they are facing something that is terrifying them does not help. It is like telling a drowning person who is drowning that hey the water is wet. They already know this. Panic is brought about when fear of what ever the person may be dealing with becomes so overwhelming they can see no way out, there is no answer to their problem, and no matter which way they turn they only see more problems. There are millions of things to cause fear, health issues, unpaid bills, lack of income, someone breaking into your home, and the list goes on. 365 times it is written ‘Fear not’. God knew we would face fear daily. In the book of Matthew Jesus talks about how the birds in the air are taken care of, and how beautifully dressed the flowers in the field are, and how God tends to these and that we are more important. Our needs will be met. In the psalms we are told that if an enemy comes against us that God is our shield and strong tower. He shut the mouths of the lions when Daniel was thrown into the lions den. Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill him. Instead they sold him into slavery where through hardship and trials he was lifted up to become a ruler who would save his people. Jacob stole from his brother and ran away. God turned Jacob into Israel.

No matter how many times I have even told myself not to worry, I still find myself worrying and occasionally having a panic attacks. I know what the Word says about fear and worry but I am like Peter out on the water. I take my eyes of Jesus and start to sink and even feel like I am drowning at times. Does this mean my relationship with Him stops? No, thank God. Do I believe there are times that He gives me more than I can handle? Yes. He shows more faith in me than I do in Him. I feel like the father who tells Jesus I believe, help my unbelief.

The problems we all face, which are all different, are still problems. We can feel overwhelmed. Like we are being crushed or are drowning and do not see any reason to have any hope. This is where we need an increase in faith. It is faith to trust without seeing, and believing when there is no hope in sight, that somehow and someway you are going to be okay even when there is no logical answer. God can handle this! What ever this may be.

So in short I will not say ‘Don’t Panic’ but “Trust God”.