I used to panic, now I pray.

Free yourself from self-induced fear.

This first week of July, we Americans will celebrate our independence; the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776. A day filled with picnics, family gatherings, food, fun, games and of course, fireworks. For me, on July 4, 2014, I experienced my most transitional panic attack while watching the fireworks. It wasn’t until July 4, 2017 I understood that the panic attack was my legal separation from self-induced stress and fear.

“Transitional panic attack”... how can those words form a sentence that makes sense? At that moment, I felt anything but peaceful. That was a transitional moment. A moment in which my thoughts, my body, my soul would never return. Since then, I’ve had to fight for peace to invade the anxiety. The fight began with daily positive affirmations - speaking life and light back into my mental wellness. Affirmations turned into prayers of comfort and victory - the transition was happening.

I learned to free myself from self-induced fear. The fear of failing turned to the act of rising above. The fear of being misunderstood turned to the act of direct communication. The fear of being stuck turned to the act of praying for growth and elevation.

Are you ready to stop the panic? Are you ready to be free? Are you ready to move from your “stuck” place? Try this … Replace panic with any word or habit that you are trying to break and instead, PRAY. Shift your focus from your habit to a closer walk with God and he will direct your path. Jeremiah 10:23 & Proverbs 3:6.

“Lord, I ask for peace to enter & fear to leave! I ask for the absence of fear in my mind, my heart, my soul, my thoughts, and my words. I ask for deep faith to flood the fearful places – that I would remember your power and faithfulness in moments of fear. Keep the evil one away. Draw near as you promise in James 4:8. As I draw near to you, Lord, please draw near to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

For more prayers for anxiety, click here.

I pray that this month brings you direction with no fear and a guided walk to your purposed goal. Stop the panic, trust the process and pray with anticipation.

HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH.