Week 36
Panic
The Spirit of God has made me; and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4
The dictionary defines panic as “A sudden, overpowering feeling of fear.” People who suffer from panic disorder experience panic attacks accompanied by fast heartbeats, dizziness, trembling, difficulty breathing, and feelings of losing control or dying. Psychologists say when one experiences a panic attack, one should do breathing exercise to regulate the nervous system. Box breathing is a technique the Navy Seals use to cope with anxiety. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold the air in your lungs for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold your lungs empty for 4 seconds, and repeat. When panic attacks make us feel like we are out of breath and dying, it makes sense to do the breathing exercise to remind ourselves of the breath of life God breathed into us, His Spirit that made us, and His presence in us. Next time when panic overwhelms you, try doing a breathing exercise in Job’s words.
- Inhale (say in your head, “the Spirit of God”)
- Hold your breath (say “has made me”)
- Exhale (say “the breath of the Almighty”)
- Hold your lungs empty (say “gives me life”)
- Repeat.
Gracious God, thank you for Your breath that gives us life. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.