Battling fear and anxiety

Are you ever anxious or afraid? Of course you are, at least sometimes. I don’t know anyone who’s not. Beginning September 12, Rob Stote and I will lead a seven-week adult Sunday morning class on fear and anxiety. The class will be based on Ed Welch’s new book When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety. This book is really excellent: practical, insightful, and thoroughly biblical.

Here’s a great excerpt from chapter two of Welch’s book:

‘Let’s say you are reading a scary story or watching a scary movie. The hero is in perilous straits. Death will pounce in the next few seconds. You want to yell out, “Stop, don’t do that!” But you know it’s too late. Now let’s say you are reading the same book or watching the same movie, but you already know that the hero doesn’t die. Though you are in the same scene as before, this time you are calm. At most, you are curious as to how your hero will be delivered, but you aren’t scared because you know everything will be fine…This is the story of your life when you put your trust in the King. This calmness is his desire for you. You know the ending, and you are assured that it will be good, even better than you can imagine. Here is the choice when you face desperate situations: they can either be moments that lead you in abject terror, or they can be times when the loving Father teaches you some of the most wonderful lessons of your life. Which perspective do you choose?’

To read more about the book, and/or to order a copy for yourself to prepare for the class, click here.

Posted by Stephen Witmer on Aug 15, 08:31 PM