I am having a panic attack as I write. Have you ever had a panic attack? More than one? Often?

I googled, “did anyone in the Bible have a panic attack?” AI said David did in Psalm 55. He had all the symptoms of a panic attack. AI: “A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, sweating, and trembling.”. Psalm 55: 2 “I am restless in my complaint and severely distracted. 4 My heart is in anguish within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. ⁵ Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.” What caused David this panic attack? He mentions an enemy, someone wicked who holds a grudge against him. He mentions a “confidant”, someone he had sweet fellowship with, who had betrayed him. Many think the enemey here is David’s son Absalom who tried to kill David and take his kingdom from him to make Absalom king. His friend who betrayed him might be Ahithophel, his counselor who betrayed David and became Absalom’s counselor, helping plot how to kill David. David prayed morning, noon, and night for God to rescue him from his enemies.

David’s final plea, 55:22 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you.” I’m doubt that this removed all his panic attack symptoms, but it is all that we can do when we are having a panic attack. God did remove his enemy, Abaslom whom Joab pierced to death as he hung by his hair in a tree. God avenged the betrayal of Ahithophel as he ended up hanging himself b/c Absalom listened to the counsel of David’s counselor whom David planted as a spy in Absalom’s court and Absalom did not listen to the. counsel of Ahithophel. God answered David’s prayer.

God might or might not remove what is causing us to have a. panic attack as an answer to our prayer for help. He might just give us the strength to handle whatever trial we are facing. It doesn’t have to be a person who is an enemy. Whatever causes you to lose your peace of mind is your enemy. You can try the tips on how to handle a panic attack. Take deep long breaths, hold, release, focusing on the breathing. Use the 5-4-3-2-1 method that might bring you back into reality: Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, 1 you can taste. Find a quiet place to pray and turn things over to God, meditating on God’s promises. 1 Peter 5:⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.” The things you are having a panic attack over may be trials that can make you stronger in your faith no matter how they turn out. Try to think positive: “this too will pass”. Think of the worst case scenario that could happen: it usually isn’t the end of the world.

Try to make it through the night. The nights are the tough part of panic attacks to me. Then, when the night is over, go on Sunday morning at 7 am to get your Egg McMuffin and senior coffee. As a friend of mine said after the Auburn loss last night, today is a new day! The “what if’s” of the past will haunt you. Move on.