NHS.uk cites that that panic disorders are probably caused by a combination of physical and psychological factors. These include passed traumatic life experiences, new trauma, such as bereavement, or reminders and urgent matters that trigger feelings of panic and anxiety. Then there is a form of panic that is natural and is linked to “fight or flight” patterns, an inherent capacity of the brain to see danger and to react.
This is a God given defense system wherein one’s logic is tested, by previous experience, to fight a dangerous or to run. A good example is a fire, a small one can be fought or put out, one runs for life from an unstoppable one. Interestingly though many battles were won by the Israelites when God induced panic in the enemy camps.
Samuel killed a young lamb and burned it whole as a sacrifice to the LORD. Then he prayed to the LORD to help Israel, and the LORD answered his prayer. While Samuel was offering the sacrifice, the Philistines moved forward to attack; but just then the LORD thundered from heaven against them.
1Samuel 7:9 & 10 (GNB)
They became completely confused and fled in panic. When the day looks bad, and some things don’t make sense, don’t panic, pray about it, change your mind about situations and be freed of the fear which brings unnecessary panic, God is still in control.
Dear Father, I pray that you will intervene in my day, help me to discern problems so that I can fix them, yet make me vigilant and give me courage to fight where I must, but show me where to walk away when it is best to do so. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Dr Cliff Ferguson – Shalom Centurion