From Panic to Peace: A Story of Anxiety, Hope, and Growth

I had a panic attack the other night. It was one of those panic attacks that nearly knocks you down and makes you unable to do anything until it passes. I was helpless. It hit me out of nowhere, and there was no reason for it to happen. Times like that are when I feel the least in control. Those are some of the scariest moments in my life. People with anxiety understand this all too well.

After a few minutes of hot flashes, hyperventilating, shaking, and crying, I leaned over my kitchen counter with an ice pack on my forehead. I was finally starting to calm down, but the fear was still there. I couldn’t move or even sit because of it. That’s when I remembered the five-sense grounding technique, where you use your senses to focus on the present moment.

I smelled soil, so I looked up to see one of my plants on the counter in front of me. The leaves were curling up, so I decided I needed to give it water right away. I was still crying and trying to catch my breath at this point, but I just couldn’t wait to do this. Taking care of my plants has been a stress reliever for me, so I didn’t question this impulse.

While pouring water into the pot, I noticed a small sprout, completely separate from the plant, growing on its own. For some unexplained reason, I noticed the panic begin to fade away while a new feeling replaced it: hope. I didn’t expect this from watering a plant.

When you plant a seed, you bury it in the soil. Darkness surrounds the seed, and the pressure from the soil on top of it weighs it down. Because of those circumstances, that seed will eventually grow roots, break through that darkness, and grow. Later, if you take care of it properly, you’ll have a beautiful, healthy plant, and you might find new growth in places you never even expected. For that seed, the darkness is just the beginning of a new life.

We’re not much different. We all go through dark times when it feels like the weight of the world is holding us down. It can feel like you’re stuck in a pitch-black tunnel with no exit in sight. Maybe you’ve received devastating news. Maybe you’re struggling at work. Maybe your anxiety and depression are at an all-time high, and you can’t figure out the reason.

But there is always hope.

Did you know that if plants don’t get enough light, they’ll actually reach out toward the sunlight? If you keep a plant inside, you might notice it leaning toward a window. Some of my plants need more sunlight than others, so they do this all the time. When I see this, I’m able to give them what they need. In their own way, they’ve asked for help.

I often wonder why we don’t immediately run to God when we need help. If plants know what to do when they’re in need, why do we have such a hard time doing the same? All we have to do is reach out to God, and He will be there. That is a promise that God will never break.

It’s easy to feel like you’re buried in darkness and there’s no way out, but you can have faith that there is always a way. God’s plan is never for you to stay in that dark place alone. He is the light that will help you get to the other side, and you’ll be better off for it in the end.

God is always working through our struggles. He understands everything we go through, and He wants to help us. Our struggles aren’t meaningless. As hard as it is to believe, we have no real reason to be afraid or anxious, no matter what our circumstances may be. We can trust God and know that He is always in control.

James 1 reminds us to remain joyful, even when we face trials. When we persevere, our faith increases. We get wiser and stronger.

Just like all plant owners want their plants to thrive, God wants the same for you. He wants to help you strengthen your faith and become more mature. He doesn’t enjoy seeing you suffer, but He loves watching you grow. He is always ready to help you along your journey. Your first step is simply reaching out to Him.

None of this means I’m cured of anxiety. It doesn’t mean it’s a simple thing to deal with. It also isn’t one of those “prayer alone can save you” types of things. I don’t believe that. This is simply about one good moment of realization.

(This was originally published on TheWildAbide.com, but that website has since been taken down.)