Fight Your Fears

4.5 stars

I loved the message of this one! I almost didn't pick it up because I don't view myself as a particularly fearful person; but a couple of other reviewers mentioned that the message wasn't only for the fearful. I tried it out and found them correct.

The content is mostly geared toward encouraging the reader to take their eyes off the chasms at their feet and place their eyes on the things of God–of His promises and assurances. This is a message that all of us need to hear, fear or not. Kristen Wetherell does a great job of putting together Scriptures and quotes from recognized church leaders in order to illustrate her points. If any of you are facing fear or any sort of uncertainty, this book is an excellent encouragement to pick up. I'd also recommend it to young believers and those who need to get some basic encouragement in the faith. It's not long to read and each chapter has an applicable memory verse to remember it by.

The only drawbacks were that the problem of evil seemed to be brought up to be dismissed rather summarily rather than pointing out the obvious application (that there are lots of other sinners in the world whose choices easily affect those around them; that the earth is not meant to mimic Heaven by giving us a happy or easy life; etc) and I'd have liked to see that driven home a bit better...but all the other issues raised are really well done. At the end is a list of books for further reading to understand God better, and that list skews heavily toward Calvinist heavyweights who are nowhere near as approachable to read as Wetherell's book is; so I'd suggest skipping some of the “books on theology” and instead checking out the “books about dealing with ill health” etc–the more specialized lists.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.