How do I find peace and perspective in the midst of panic? - Panic - TouchPoints

Nehemiah 2:2-5So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.” Then I was terrified, but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?” With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied.

Psalm 61:2From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety.

Daniel 2:17-18Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon.

Philippians 4:6-7Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

The moment panic hits, you should pray. Prayer keeps us connected to God’s power, which can overcome the paralysis of panic. If you have been praying (as Nehemiah was), realize that another wave of panic may rise when God begins to answer your prayer. That’s the time to return to prayer.

2 Chronicles 20:3Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.

James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Ask God what you should do. Involve others in seeking God’s help. Remember: He already knows the solution to your problem.

Psalm 119:95, 103-105, 165Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws. . . . How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. . . . Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

Prepare yourself ahead of time with God’s Word. Take comfort in his promises; seek his perspective; relax in his peace. Identify places you can turn to in his Word when you discover yourself on the verge of panic.

Psalm 39:1-7“You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. . . . And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.”

Psalm 46:1-2God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Psalm 112:7They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

Isaiah 45:18The Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other.”

Daniel 2:12-16The king [Nebuchadnezzar] was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends. When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion.

We must not react but rather act deliberately with wisdom and discretion. We should develop a worldview that never leaves God out. When we are able to see life from God’s perspective, we will have the presence of mind and the courage to handle any situation.

Isaiah 26:3You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

1 Thessalonians 5:8Let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

We must focus our thoughts clearly and directly on God, contemplating what he would want us to do. We should make him part of each solution we are considering. The presence of God serves equally well as panic prevention and panic intervention.

Psalm 3:5-6I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.

Psalm 4:8In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Psalm 11:1I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!”

Psalm 116:7Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me.

We are to rest in the Lord—literally. We have a choice between leaning on ourselves, leaning on some other created thing, or leaning on God. Neither we nor any other created things are ultimately in control. The more deeply we acknowledge that God is in control, the better we will be able to sleep at night.

Psalm 46:10“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

Psalm 62:1, 5I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. . . . Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.

Psalm 131:2I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Proverbs 19:23Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.

Isaiah 8:13Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.

Hebrews 13:5-6So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

God wants us to really get to know him. To know what God says is important. To know his will is even more important. But to know God personally is most important. We should take time to verbalize our confidence in God—first to ourselves, then to others.

Psalm 63:8I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.

Psalm 85:8I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

Psalm 112:1Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.

Proverbs 1:33“All who listen to me [Wisdom] will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

1 Peter 1:8You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

Listen to God and follow his paths. The more certain you are in pursuing God’s ways, the calmer and more confident you will be.