Generalised anxiety disorder has run in my family for years. As someone who is firm on reasoning, logic, and plenty of scientific research, when I was diagnosed with GAD myself, it did not occur to me as something to pray “away” (“it was in my genetics after all!” was the narrative in my head).
I started experiencing strange, cardiac arrest-like attacks, as severe, stabbing pain to my chest at age 24. It would leave my left arm numb and weakened for days. I became paranoid. And for my fellow mates in anxiety, perhaps you can relate to the feeling like being swallowed whole. Shortly after, I experienced a corneal tear in my left eye too.
On reflection, I suspected it was spiritual warfare, as I had just gotten back into Bible reading, and my first attack actually happened right before a Sunday service.
I attended a church conference, and the pastor spoke about how the Bible says that the devil seeks to tempt, harass and deceive believers, but “submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 NIV). I had never really “resisted” the paranoia surrounding specifically my health issues, and honestly, I actively fed my fears daily — be it actively searching for answers online or further persuading my GP to allow more tests. I did not believe it when all my tests came out clear and the doctors couldn’t find a trace of what was wrong.
As I thought about these things, the left half of my body started to tremble while I was still sitting, and then, the pastor said that some people in the room were already experiencing the start of transformation and to come back to Jesus. I was prayed for, and experienced a significant physical response of something leaping off the left side of my chest; my legs gave way and I couldn’t stop crying! For the first time, my mind felt pure, sincere peace that it had never felt before. Jesus healed me of my anxiety, the root of it all, what I had never surrendered to Him. I haven’t had a panic attack, anxiety during flights, or any chest pains at all. I’ve been fully healed, and set free, and I know I am so loved — I feel like I can’t hold this back!
Jemimah Chhoa
Re:Hope West End
Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight anything God wants to heal in your life, or someone else’s. Pray with faith today for full healing in Jesus’ name!