Panic

He walked into our house quite distraught, looking at our pictures on the wall with disdain. I couldn’t figure out if he was appalled by our lifestyle or the color of my skin, meeting me for the first time at my house.

"Hallo Hlo, are you well?" I asked, mustering all my courage as I shuffled to a seat in pain, after a chemical burn left my left ankle in wounds and home bound.

He sat at my table, not making eye contact, and slowly, softly confessed that he had just had a panic attack and nearly fainted in the supermarket.

Just the opposite of what I had assumed, and remembering to lock into action, I immediately called on the Name of Jesus for wisdom.

I asked him if he was religious or believed in Christ, as I needed to find a way to comfort him. He nodded, and, relieved, I continued to ask if I could pray for him. This would calm both our nerves—and it did.

Afterward, I asked him exactly where he was when he had this paralyzing thought. He could pinpoint exactly where he was, what he smelled, and what he felt in that moment. I then inquired if he could recall what he had thought at that time. In detail, he described that he had taken a call from his brother, who had just confessed that he was disobedient to his countless requests not to park his car on a particular street. Because of his laziness and willfulness, the car had just been stolen, and he immediately knew that the insurance would most likely not consider a stolen car claim.

Ouch! What a blow he had just been dealt by his brother, and now he was confronted with both the loss of a car and potentially relational damage. And how on earth do you comfort someone when the odds are stacked so high?

But I know our First Love. He died a horrible death so that we can have life in abundance. I didn’t give into fear or realism.

We pondered, dissected, and discussed the roots and effects of this thought on his heart and mind at that moment in the supermarket, and we decided to call on Our King for hope and redemption.

We specifically asked for wisdom to submit and negotiate the claim, leaving the outcome to our King.

We knew it wouldn’t be a quick process, but that our God was in control of this claim.

He left very relieved, and I had something to look forward to. Our King would show His power, and I knew I would be a witness to His unwavering salvation.

I reached out to him after a month, and he mentioned that he was still busy with the claim. After 8 weeks, the insurance paid the claim, and he was able to replace the car. But I don’t think he will eagerly lend it out. He also has a beautiful little baby girl, and I pop into his office regularly.

Our King wants to give us life against all odds.

Paul teaches the eternal camper to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ. (2 Cor 10:5)

Can panic really attack you, no it can't, a panic attack is nothing other than a thought spinning out of control.  

Let's help one another to take our thoughts captive, and bring them in obedience to Christ.

Ceramic bud vase and wood paintings on my window sill.

Only in the arms of the One who loves us First is life abundant!