Panic and Overwhelm

Created in PicMonkey by me

Dear Readers:

Today, I want to discus panic which I feel happens when we are overwhelmed. Before we start a discussion, I feel it would be helpful to consider what both "panic," and "overwhelm" mean.

Panic is "sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behavior." [Google]

Feeling overwhelmed means having a situation that is "too much to deal with," and/or feeling "sudden strong emotion": [Cambridge}

GO [setting a timer for 5 minutes]

Here are my thoughts:

I think panic happens when you are feeling overwhelmed. And overwhelm happens when you are not prepared for something and wait to the last minute to achieve your goals. Can we say procrastination?

Panic can also happen when the cause of overwhelm is not so much the feeling of not being prepared; but situations are piling up and you begin to feel that everything rests on you.

For a believer, part of the solution is realize you are not in control. You have accepted Christ as your savior. Your old carnal nature is now dead and Christ is in control of your life.

We sometimes need to be reminded of that fact. If Christ is in charge, everything will work out for good in the end. (See Romans 8:28)

So, if you are feeling anxious or in a panic, STOP and breathe win me:

Deep breath in and think, "The Lord is my Shepherd."

Breathe out and think, "I have what I need."

Repeat as many times as needed.

STOP

~~

Back in February of this year, the Lord gave me this scripture and prayer I would like to share with you since it mentions overwhelm in a positive sense:

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37 NLT

Father,

 

I praise you for victory – and not just any victory, but overwhelming victory.

 

Yes, we will face things. You never said we wouldn’t. But we will come through these things victorious and looking more like You. You use all the things we go through to mold and shape us into Christ’s image.

 

And, as this chapter of Romans reminds us – if God is for us, who can be against us, and also, nothing will be able to separate us from Your love.

 

Do we believe Your word or not? Let us walk in confidence trusting In Your word, for every word of it will be fulfilled! Thank You, Lord, for all You do for us; for all You’ve given us!

 

In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

~~

This post was written in response to the prompt, "panic," provided by the Five Minute Friday community of writers. As always, I free write on the prompt for five minutes, later going back to add scriptures, links, and photos.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

This time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series  A Rich and Satisying Life on my other blog, (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Today, I'm sharing at Five Minute Friday and at InstaEncouragements Link-Up and Let's Have Coffee