Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety: Becoming a Woman of Faith and Confidence Paperback – September 15, 2001

This is a great book for those of us struggling with the sins of fear, anxiety and worry. I bought it out of desperation for answers to the panic attack and near panic attacks that I had for a several month period. Elyse is right on target with practical, biblical advice and encouragement. I combined reading her book with searching scriptures for myself to discover who God is in the face of my fears. Panic attacks and fear have had me feeling like I was on the brink of hysteria, but fighting through them using Elyse's very practical advice, a supportive and faithful husband, praying friends, and my own prayer and constant study is conquering it. There are still times when a residual trimmer of fear threatens to over take me, but I know it's a matter of continuing to think biblically getting rid of the fear of man roots and replacing with the fear of God seeds that will eventually take root and give me fruit of belief and stronger faith. I once could not thank God and was even angry at Him for allowing my life to be so disrupted by fear and panic, but now I thank Him because I know Him on a much deeper level through this valley and the NEED to depend on Him. So, get this book. Read it, think about the scripture she gives, PRAY, and believe God.

Have been through hard times this last year, and needed encouragement and a reminder of Who is in control. Thank you.

Life changing book for me. Laid out in such an easy to apply and organized way, which is crucial when you are dealing with trauma. Gospel and grace focused.

This is a good book that has many good nuggets and helpful ways to look at fear, worry & anxiety. I will re-read some parts and use what is helpful. I do, however, take exception of the author's statement that God has "classified worry as a sin".(page 112). I have heard from pastors, leaders & ministry people for 30 years that "fear is a sin". When I had fear or worry, I would feel condemned that I had sinned. While reading this book and that particular chapter, I kept waiting for the boom to be lowered - another thump on the head from the bible. I do believe that fear, worry and anxiety is not the optimum for anyone and we are told over and over "fear not", but as far as it being "sin", there is no scripture supportive of this whatsoever. I kept waiting for the "scripture" that would seal this long held belief and instead of getting that, what I got was the opposite - freedom in that I have not sinned when I have worried or been in fear. No, it is not what God wants for us, but nowhere in the bible does it tell us to "repent of fear." It is, rather, an admonishment and encouragement that we should not worry because our heavenly Father will take care of everything. It is a very human emotion and we are all human. Who has never feared? Fear can actually be a gift of God at times when He is trying to warn of a situation. Another revelation came to me when I realized that yes, even Jesus, had fear when he was in the Garden before his cruxifiction. The bible says that "he was tempted in ALL WAYS like we are" - so He would have had to had fear. He was deeply agonized in the Garden (read it and study it out). But that scripture goes on to say that even though He was tempted in all ways as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN. So, the FEAR itself is NOT SIN. When FEAR leads to DISOBEDIENCE to what God has told us to do, then it is sin. Jesus FELT fear, but He did not sin as a result - because he chose to go to the cross for redemption of mankind. How much MORE love did it take for Jesus to have agonized over going to the cross and still go for us! It wasn't a walk in the park for Him and to think that he had no anxiety over it, no fear, would be ridiculous. It was a sacrifice for Him. He even felt abandoned by God the Father on the cross "Why have you forsaken me?" How much more I came to know Jesus' real love for ME when I came to realize that even He, too, suffered fear yet still chose to do God's Will so that I could be free. He knows what we go through when we have fear, anxiety, yes, even doubt ("Why have You forsaken me?").Fear in the bible is NEVER referred to as sin. It is referred to as a spirit at times "We have not been given the SPIRIT of fear". "Perfect love casts out fear because fear has torment" (1 John 4:18) (Evil spirits torment & can oppress people) (God is LOVE. God CASTS OUT FEAR); AND "I sought the Lord, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears" (PS 34:4). We can be delivered from fear. The Word of God can deliver us. God can supernaturally deliver us by the power of the Holy Spirit as well, if He chooses. No where does it say "Repent of your Fear". This is only a few examples.I know it is a given in Christian churches and circles to classify fear as sin, but I don't see where the bible says that. As the author even quotes Martin Luther as telling church authority that "Unless you can prove from the Bible that I have made wrong statements, I cannot and I will not take back anything. My conscience is bound by the Word of God. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen." So the author concurs with this standard. So do I.I hope that what I have written here will at least help one person to be FREED from condemnation regarding fear, worry and anxiety. Does God want us to fear and be anxious? NO! Should we strive to be free from it? YES! Is it sin if we do have fear? NO! Many many instances are reported in the bible of people who had fear (disciples in the boat, Peter denying Christ from fear...just to name a few). But it was NEVER commanded in the bible that these people repent of the "sin" of fear. Quite the opposite, it was understood as mere human emotion. Jesus merely told Peter he would deny him. Jesus didn't add "Oh, and by the way, repent of it afterward". Jesus understood Peter's weakness. He understands our weakness and sees us as whole and free from fear, just as eventually Peter became free from fear and was used mightily of God. Jesus told the disciples in the boat when the storm rose that they had "little faith". That is not sin! He did not tell them they sinned because they feared in the storm.

Very good, easy to read book. Filled with scripture to back up every point she made. I plan on reading this more than once.

It seems that most of us, at least from time to time anyway, go through periods that we might worry or stress over things. This is a very well written, biblically based book & gives examples & plenty of things to reflect on. I am thankful that someone recommended it...now I recommend it to you.

This author defines fear as "a physical reaction to a perceived danger." As we move through life, we create habits of behavior and reactions toward fear. Many of our fears are imagined, but that does not lessen their terror. Our unchecked thoughts run wild if we do not examine them. Fitzpatrick takes a thorough Biblical look at this problem. She lays out a concrete plan of overcoming this malady with the help of God. Very informative. Easy to read and understand. Lots of simple application to put into practice.. Freedom is available, no drugs needed!! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and I endorse this book.

I have given this book to a number of people and have gone through it with people I counsel. It is an EXCELLENT resource for anyone (men included even though it is geared toward women--the principles apply regardless of gender) who struggles with fear, worry and/or anxiety. There are exercises at the end of each chapter to deepen understanding of the concepts for that chapter and to help make it practical to your life in applying the truths and concepts.

Excellent book, very encouraging!

This is the most helpful Christian book I've ever read. Not only does it deal with worries and how to really deal with them, it also addresses fear of God's punishment, doubt about salvation and knowing what God is really like, enabling us to truly trust Him. I highly recommend it :)

good book dip into it being a Christian helps to understand it

This was a wonderful book that really teaches you how to rely on God to help overcome anxiety! Great read!

I am reading this book in small parts and trying to meditate on it as I go. Therefore, I have not finished reading yet. So far, there are a lot of good things to absorb but I have not come upon a focus on my kind of anxiety......trusting God to provide for old age/retirement when you have no one and funds are scarce. This is the subject that keeps me awake at night and it's a constant fight to stay in faith. As I get older, I notice that my spirit is often willing to work but my flesh is too weak and I wonder how that progression will affect my ability to live. I will keep reading and meditating on these principles in the book and keep the promises of God fresh in my mind.