When I panic

There are times when I panic. I get so anxious about the future, thinking that it won’t turn out well for me. There are times that because of the panic that is caused by the anxiety that I experience, my soul becomes troubled and I shake mildly. Others experience this in a greater degree; their hands would really shake heavily, and they would really fight not to gasp the next breath. There are times that I mildly gasp for the next breath but it’s just rare. As I internalize what’s happening in my mind for me to have those physical manifestations, I realize that I am thinking too much of the future negatively. I am trying to fight off against my unhealthy pessimism. I always think of the worst that will happen instead of just surrendering everything in the hands of my Father who greatly cares for me.

Overly thinking about the future is bad because in these moments, I try to replace God’s role in my life. God alone perfectly knows what the future holds. No matter how much I think of it, there’s a staggering possibility that what I think about won’t happen. And God gives me countless situations to prove me wrong. There are so many times that what I think about does not happen. Every time I am proven wrong, I get humbled because, truly, things of the future belong to God alone. It’s not my business to try to determine the future by overthinking about it.

The worst part of this is that I assume the worst that could happen. This really cripples me because of the hesitance and fear that is brought about in my heart by my pessimism. In these times, I remind myself that I am a flawed, limited, and fallible human being. That God alone is flawless, limitless, and infallible. Therefore, I should humbly depend on Him and surrender all my cares and concerns knowing that He is my heavenly Father who has always my good in His mind.

In times of doubt, I try to ask for God to increase my faith in Him. Praying to God to: “Help me to trust You more, Father.” All of us are works in progress with regard to our faith. And more experience with God caused by more time spent with Him makes us aware that He really looks after us. Since, God is our Protector, Provider, and Guide, we can trust on Him that whatever happens in our lives would be used for His glory and our good. So, when you and I panic, let us come to the One who holds everything in the palm of His hands.