“Back before we moved here,” Stan mentioned, “I had a good friend who suffered from periodic panic attacks caused by claustrophobia.”
“I’ve had that a little bit from time to time,” I replied. “Not fun!”
“My friend’s situation could be so severe,” Stan continued, “that he had a prescription for very fast-acting medicine that would calm him if and when needed. He would carry a few of the pills with him just in case.”
“Seems like a good solution,” I responded.
“Especially for him because his work required him to travel a lot. He spent a lot of time on airplanes. You know how confining they can be.”
“Yeah, and there’s not a whole lot you can do. Can’t just jump off!”
“My friend told me that one day he was flying somewhere and began to feel claustrophobic. When the feeling didn’t pass right away, he reached for one of his pills.”
“Did that help?”
“It might have if he would have had any of the pills with him, but, for some reason, his little pill box was empty.”
“What did he do?”
“He said that when he first discovered he had none of the pills, the sense of claustrophobia was overwhelming. He did the only thing he could. He prayed. He asked his heavenly Father to help him. And He did!”
“How so?”
“My friend said he experienced a true miracle. He said that within seconds of his prayers, he had the most profound sense of peace. He said the next thing he knew it was two hours later and a flight attendant was telling him it was time to wake up as the plane was about to land.”
“Wow!” I responded. “True story?”
“True story,” Stan replied. “The miracle of the empty pill box!”
“It wasn’t empty; it was filled with answers to prayer!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6, 7.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33, 34.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you have every remedy for any anxiety I may feel in any situation. Too often I do not rely on you and what you have for me in overcoming anxiety that can present itself into my life. Please help me in not being so foolish, but to rely on you and your provision for all I need. Help me to follow your lead into the peace that truly surpasses my ability to understand. Open me to seek, claim, and embrace all of your peace in every situation. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Anxiety is a natural reaction, but “natural” is not to be our reaction when walking with God in Christ. Do you agree with that? Why or why not? When you have a sense of anxiety, to what to you turn? To what does God want you to turn? Too often, turning to God in prayer is the “last resort” when it should be the first thing we do. Why do you think that happens? Is there a solution?
Waiting for the Train 