How would you advise someone spiritually who has been having frequent panic attacks and nightmares because of a medicine that they must take in order to have a lucid mind? If they don't take it, they have hallucinations and out of body experiences. (Their issue(s) are a result of past brain surgery)
Hmm.. This is one of those Qs where I can't help but give an incomplete answer. Proverbs 18:13 states, "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame" With that in mind, I want to be very careful with what I advise. Since I am not a medical professional I will not speak on the medicinal dynamics pertaining to the medications you are taking it. Let me deal with some general theological realities instead.
Though psychological, there is also a strong physiological dynamic behind what you are experiencing (post-brain surgery). Given the physiological nature of your issue, it is not surprising to me that certain medications may assist you in having a more "lucid mind". Here is the real issue that is very important as it relates to your nightmares & frequent panic attacks.
Physiology can never make an individual sin. The Bible always speaks about sin as a spiritual reality. It also speaks in numerous places about the body working against us in temptation. This is how it works. When a person is hungry or tired there body is in a weak state. B/c their body's are in a weaker state the guards or walls that person has to assist them in protecting their tongue, thoughts, & actions also become weaker. When we are physically/mentally weak, we are generally also more spiritually weak. This doesn't have to be the case but many times it is. The human body is such a unique dichotomy that the Body and Spirit always have an affect on 1 another. What this means for you is that there is most certainly a physiological aspect to your panic attacks which is not sin but there may also be a spiritual aspect that is. What your goal should be is to make sure you are glorifying God within your panic attacks. Though your attacks come without your control, you must strive to practice Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things". The root of your panic attacks may be physiological but you want to strive to make sure that the experience of them is not sinful in the sense of doubting God, the Gospel, Grace, hope or any of these things. As you grow in this, your attacks may be less intense tho still present due to the physiological nature behind them. YOU CAN beloved, glorify God in the midst of uncontrolable panic attacks! Feel free to ask me follow up. As far as the nightmares go. You can control what happens before & after you go to sleep. Follow Philipp. 4:8 here too. B4 bed think on those things, when U wake up, maybe even terrified, think upon the grace of Christ, love of God & his comfort found in Jeremiah 32:40, "I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them" God is there with you in the night, during your dreams and there to comfort after. Hope this helps, feel free to ask follow up!!!
Though psychological, there is also a strong physiological dynamic behind what you are experiencing (post-brain surgery). Given the physiological nature of your issue, it is not surprising to me that certain medications may assist you in having a more "lucid mind". Here is the real issue that is very important as it relates to your nightmares & frequent panic attacks.
Physiology can never make an individual sin. The Bible always speaks about sin as a spiritual reality. It also speaks in numerous places about the body working against us in temptation. This is how it works. When a person is hungry or tired there body is in a weak state. B/c their body's are in a weaker state the guards or walls that person has to assist them in protecting their tongue, thoughts, & actions also become weaker. When we are physically/mentally weak, we are generally also more spiritually weak. This doesn't have to be the case but many times it is. The human body is such a unique dichotomy that the Body and Spirit always have an affect on 1 another. What this means for you is that there is most certainly a physiological aspect to your panic attacks which is not sin but there may also be a spiritual aspect that is. What your goal should be is to make sure you are glorifying God within your panic attacks. Though your attacks come without your control, you must strive to practice Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things". The root of your panic attacks may be physiological but you want to strive to make sure that the experience of them is not sinful in the sense of doubting God, the Gospel, Grace, hope or any of these things. As you grow in this, your attacks may be less intense tho still present due to the physiological nature behind them. YOU CAN beloved, glorify God in the midst of uncontrolable panic attacks! Feel free to ask me follow up. As far as the nightmares go. You can control what happens before & after you go to sleep. Follow Philipp. 4:8 here too. B4 bed think on those things, when U wake up, maybe even terrified, think upon the grace of Christ, love of God & his comfort found in Jeremiah 32:40, "I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them" God is there with you in the night, during your dreams and there to comfort after. Hope this helps, feel free to ask follow up!!!