The 5 Lies of Panic Attacks
—And the Truth That Sets You Free
Panic attacks are like uninvited guests that barge in, take over, and refuse to leave. No one signs up for them, yet here they are. When you’re in the middle of one, every second feels like an eternity. But here’s the truth—panic attacks are built on lies. And once you see through them, they start losing their grip. Let’s bust the five biggest lies about panic attacks so you can face your fears and flourish.
Lie #1: If God Loved Me, He’d Take This Away
TRUTH: God loves you in the middle of your fear.
If you think panic attacks mean God has abandoned you, think again. Fear isn’t the enemy—it’s an alarm system. Sometimes it’s accurate, sometimes it’s not, but it was designed by God to protect you, not punish you.
Your anxiety doesn’t disqualify you from God’s love. He has a special place in His heart for those who battle fear (1 Thessalonians 5:14). You are not alone, and you are not unloved. You are a child of God, set free in Christ—even if panic tells you otherwise (Romans 8:15, Galatians 5:1).
Lie #2: Only Medication Can Help Me (Or If I Were Stronger, I Wouldn’t Need Meds)
TRUTH: Medication is a tool, not a cure.
Panic attacks can feel like your body is betraying you. Medication can sometimes help calm the storm, but it doesn’t fix the root issue. That’s because medication works on the body, not the thoughts driving your fear. And that’s where real change happens.
Biblical counseling focuses on the heart, helping you renew your thoughts in line with God’s truth. If you’re using medication, it’s not a sign of weakness. If you’re not, that doesn’t make you a superhero. The real question is—are you addressing the fear itself, or just managing symptoms? (Psalm 27:1)
Lie #3: Panic Attacks Are Just a Physical Problem
TRUTH: Your mind and body are a package deal.
Heart racing? Check. Palms sweaty? Check. Feeling like doom is creeping up on you? Oh yeah. Panic attacks hit hard physically, but they start in the mind.
Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) says, "For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." What you dwell on fuels your body’s reactions. It’s no surprise that millions rush to the ER every year thinking they’re having a heart attack, only to find out it’s anxiety. Your thoughts trigger your body’s alarm system, but the good news is, with God’s help, you can rewire it.
Lie #4: Avoiding Triggers Will Keep Me Safe
TRUTH: Avoidance feeds fear. Face it to beat it.
Avoiding what scares you feels good in the moment. But long-term? It just makes the fear bigger.
Fear controls what you allow or avoid. And the more you dodge what triggers panic, the more you reinforce the lie that you’re not safe. Instead, scripture tells us to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) and lean into God’s strength. Facing fear the right way—gradually, with truth in hand—helps shrink it down to size.
Lie #5: Counseling Can’t Help—This Is Just How I Am
TRUTH: Real freedom is possible with the right help.
Ever feel like you’re stuck with panic forever? Like no amount of talking, praying, or trying will change anything? That’s the lie keeping you in chains.
Biblical counseling doesn’t offer wishful thinking. It points you to practical, biblical truth. Philippians 4:4-9 lays it out: rejoice, pray, give thanks, think about what’s true, and take action.
God’s promise? "The God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9) That’s not just wishful thinking; that’s a battle plan for beating anxiety.
Final Thought: Panic Attacks Tell Lies—God’s Truth Brings Peace
Panic says you’re trapped. God says you’re free. Panic says you’re alone. God says He’s with you. Panic says you’ll never change. God says He’s transforming you.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
You don’t have to live at the mercy of fear. Start rewriting the story today.
P.S. Want a practical roadmap to panic freedom? Get your FREE GUIDE: 7 Keys to Panic Freedom! Fast, easy download—click here now.
Sources:
[i] Every year, up to 11% of Americans experience a panic attack. Approximately 2% to 3% of them go on to develop panic disorder. (Cleveland Clinic, “Panic Disorder”)
[ii] Tim Allchin, “How Jesus Addressed Fear, Worry, and Anxiety,” October 1, 2019
[iii] Katherine Star, PhD, “Panic Disorder Risk Factors,” December 4, 2020
[iv] Bruce Golding, “More Americans Turning to Anxiety Medication amid Coronavirus Pandemic,” May 25, 2020
[v] Tim Allchin, “Should Christians Use Anti-Anxiety Medication?” October 15, 2019
[vi] Indiana University, “Heart Attack or Panic Attack?” April 15, 2019
[vii] Andrea Lee, “Troubled by Triggers,” March 20, 2018