5, 4, 3, 2, 1

A friend posted on Facebook the following:

Tip to help with an anxiety attack

- Look around you.

- Find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste.

This is called grounding.  It can help when you feel like you have lost all control of your surroundings.

This is great advice to regain your composure when in a panic situation.  But let's take this to the next level for the believer and follower of Christ.  Given the fact that the Bible tells us 365 times “to fear not” leads me to believe a sense of fear, panic or anxiety strikes us all in one way or another.  And strikes often.

So when that knot begins to swell up in your gut, when your heart begins to race, when you want to bolt but you have nowhere to go or when you are frozen with fear….I suggest the following:

-Look up.

-Speak out loud 5 names for the Lord

Almighty, Creator, Healer, Faithful, Trustworthy, Light, Love, Life, Stronghold, Refuge, Redeemer, Conqueror, Mighty One, Holy, Just, Righteous. (these are but a few)

-Remember 4 ways He has shown His faithfulness to you in the past

He has forgiven my sins, He has saved my marriage, He has healed me from sickness, He has made me His child and He has shown me the way.  (these are generic so make yours personal)

-Find 3 ways He has shown love for you today

He made the sun to shine, He sent the rain, He prompted someone to call you, the bill was smaller than expected, you found your favorite shoes on sale, a song played that soothed your heart, a Bible verse jumped off the page.  (these are some of mine to help you think of yours)

-Repeat 2 Bible verses

                Isaiah 26:3

 You will keep in perfect peace

            those whose minds are steadfast,

            because they trust in you.

                Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with

hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(use these or find 2 that meet your needs)

-Say 1 prayer asking God to show you the truth

              I like to pray scripture and so this would be my prayer straight from Psalm 139:23-24

            “Father God, Search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
            See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  In Jesus’
            name, Amen”

 This is called Kingdom thinking.  It can help you when you have lost the ability to trust God to control your surroundings.  Because the truth is we might think we have control but we do not.  It is good to trust in the One who has never lost control…..even when He went to the cross.  

I hope you will join me as I take my eyes off my circumstances and choose to look up.  Five, four, three, two, one.