Attack or Feeling

Have you ever been so overwhemed by fear it feels like an elephant is on your chest, you can't breathe, your sweating when it is not hot, and you are not having a heart attack?  I have. Why do we say "I am having an anxiety attack" or "I am having a panic attack?  We don't say we are having a happiness attack or we were attacked by anger.  It would appear that fear is the only emotion that attacks people.  We choose to be happy, angery, frustrated and joyful.  We feel sadness, hope, and excitement.  However, the way we view fear is that it is something that happens to us.  

It has been said that "Emotions are like waves.  We don't get to choose which ones come, but we can choose which ones we surf."  If we want to continue with the surfing analogy, then fear is the shark that lurks beneath the surface of the water waiting to attack us.  That really does not make sense.  Fear, whatever its form, be it panic, anxiety or terror is still an emotion.  Like all the other emotions, if fear is not something that happens to us but something that happens in us then what does that tells us?  Craig Groeschel said it this way, "Show me the very places I fear the most because that shows me where I trust God the least."  

The fields of faith are seeded with our fears.  The way to grow faith is to learn to trust God in the midst of the fear.  The greater the fear the greater the harvest of faith.   God does not tell us to stand guard because fear is going to attack us.   God tells us over and over again to "Fear not.  Do not be afraid."  He doesn't say thiss because life is not scary, hard, or difficult and there is nothing to be afraid of.  He says "Do not be afraid because I am with you."  

If you are struggling with overwhelming emotions, of any kind, know that you are not alone.  God wants you to know He is with you.  There are also people that want to help as well.  Call or text 988, tell your doctor, or reach out to a professional so you can not get swept away by the waves.