footprintsaustralia.com
Behind the scenes at Footprints magazine
Night Terrors
- August
- 16
7:14 pm Chit-chat
“It could be a heart attack!”
That was the terrifying thought that woke me in the wee small hours a couple of nights ago.
I’d been a bit sore in my left arm, shoulder and shoulder blade area for over a week, and thought I must have pulled a muscle or something … taking the odd paracetamol, making sure I had a hot wheat pack at bedtime, and begging the family for shoulder rubs.
I’d also booked an appointment with a physio for this week, as I thought it was most likely due to too much computer work, getting the new issue of Footprints ready. Other than that, I hadn’t really thought about it or lost sleep over it. Until this thought gripped me with terror in the middle of the night.
You see, heart disease runs in my family. My paternal grandmother died of a heart attack at 45 (I’m 43). My father, one of the fittest, healthiest men you could ever meet, had his first heart attack at 60. And I suddenly remembered that he’d had a sore left arm and shoulder for a week before the heart attack, which he also just put down to being a pulled muscle but in hindsight, realised was a warning sign.
As I lay in bed with these thoughts flooding my mind, my stomach churned. Oh no! Another sign! Dad had thrown up several times with his heart attack. My pulse raced. I was terrified!!!
I cannot explain the immense fear that possessed me … Lord help!!! I cried out silently. Straight away a Scripture came to mind … for God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. Thank you Lord! Help me put this fear aside, unless I really “do” need to do something about it. If it is an attack of the enemy, give me peace!
My GP knows my family history and my health is being monitored, so I really shouldn’t be worried. I thought about waking my husband and telling him, but realised it all sounded pretty silly. Gradually, my breathing slowed and I dropped off back to sleep.
How thankful I am that I have Scripture stored in my memory, that God can bring it to my mind just when I need it most. God’s Word is a sword – but you’ve got to read it, familiarise yourself with it, practise using it (by memorising it) so that when the battles come (and they will!) you will be ready.
En garde!
10 comments
You are not alone. I also have had these symptoms. Research has indicate menopause is often the cause for these panic attacks and similar symptoms. I did go see my doctor some time ago as I was really worried but he’s given me a clean bill of health, except for blood pressure that was a little high – but he felt it was because I was stressed about what was happening as I’ve always been fine before.
Posted by Kathie M Thomas, on August 17th, 2010, at 2:41 pm. #.
Oh Janet, what a fright. So glad you could recall Scripture at a time like this. Thanks to God that you have His loving care, and great medical intervention too.
Janet, My Pastor’s wife says satan attacks most between 2-3am. The darkest hours.
I agree with you about Scripture. Standing on the Word of God stops the flood of scary thoughts coming into your mind. WE have to fight the battle in the spirit! Prayer, praise and Scripture will be the perfect answer to these early morning attacks:) EVERY time!!
Posted by tracey, on August 17th, 2010, at 6:22 pm. #.
It’s a comfort to know I’m not alone! I was almost too embarrassed to post this story on my blog, but now I’m glad I did 
. Tracey, that was interesting what your pastor’s wife had to say about satan’s attacks – because that’s exactly what I felt it was. Even if it had been a heart attack, I was going to be with Jesus so there shouldn’t have been any fear. I knew instinctively, even in my half awake state, that it was an attack of the enemy.
Posted by Webmaster, on August 17th, 2010, at 6:45 pm. #.
Hi Janet, I have had left arm and shoulder pain for approx. 2 weeks. I took Voltaren Rapid for a week and stopped because it wasn’t helping, so I made an appointment to see the Chiropractor. I had prayer on Sunday morning at Church and it seemed to have eased a bit but I still went to the Chiro appointment on Tuesday night. It turns out I have problems with the tendons, I had a shoulder and arm massage from the Chiro and will have to do exercises. Just a tip from the Chiro, when sleeping do not have your arm above your head or when sleeping on your tummy do not put your arm forward and cradle your head in it. this is not good for the tendons. I have to admit that I was getting scared and especially when my sister in law was saying things that were very, very scarey about my left arm! We have a good God!
Posted by Charmaine Brown, on August 18th, 2010, at 7:56 am. #.
I should have said I too prayed in the middle of the night and considered whether to wake my husband or not. So scary not knowing exactly what’s going on and what the cause is. Prayer seemed to help me relax and I drifted back off to sleep but it has happened a few times now. Funny about the mention of 2-3am slot as that’s when it usually happens. And I don’t sleep with my arm above my head at all.
We do have a good God and I’m glad we can turn to Him when we are fearful and unsure of what’s happening. Even if we ultimately know where we’ll end up being. It’s not that, that scares me, it’s what will happen to my husband and my family if I’m not here with them.
Posted by Kathie M Thomas, on August 18th, 2010, at 8:33 am. #.
Charmaine, I am almost starting to wonder if it is a virus going around as a girl at work has also had the same pain, and Dion has been complaining of a sore left arm/shoulder since Monday – and now you!
Kathie, I know it was like Tracey read my mind because it was between 2 and 3 for me as well! Yes, I worry for my family also, rather than myself … that’s why this time was so different, it was all about me! Definitely a spiritual attack.
Posted by Webmaster, on August 19th, 2010, at 8:08 am. #.
It’s amazing how those scriptures come to mind when we need them:-)
Wendy
Posted by Wendy Sargeant, on August 20th, 2010, at 7:24 am. #.
Years ago I was given the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues and I was concerned that I hadn’t been using it. However I knew I had that gift in me and that God would teach me to utilise it. A few months ago I had the most awful nightmare, the kind that when you wake up from it you want to get up and not go back to sleep. I awoke, sat bolt upright in bed and spoke in tongues solidly for 5 minutes. I did this without thinking, without preparing for it … it just came out of my mouth from my spirit. I was filled with such peace afterwards, I had time with God and happily went back to sleep. Spiritual attack = Fail
Posted by Catherine Beddoes, on September 1st, 2010, at 7:07 pm. #.
Leave a comment!
-
Connect with us!
-
I had exactly the same scenario about two weeks ago. Same sore shoulder and I went to the physio for it. I’ve experienced similar panic attacks in the middle of the night. It was so strange reading this post as I could have written it myself! I’m so glad that we can call out to the Lord for help and he hears us.
Posted by Amanda, on August 17th, 2010, at 12:57 pm. #.