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adam_z's review
4.0
In Running Scared, Edward Welch offers a topical study on fear and worry. Using a conversational narrative, Welch offers practical advice for stress management, as well as an in-depth biblical analysis of what God has to say about fear and worry in both the Old and New Testaments. As much as this is a study on fear and worry, it is also a character analysis on the promises and faithfulness of God.
Whether by design or circumstance, the book is divided into 30 chapters, most of which end with a brief section titled "A Personal Response" offering more overtly guided ideas for personal reflection and life application. Most chapters are between 8-12 pages in length. Its structured in such a way that this can easily be split up into 30 daily readings.
The author communicates in a clear and concise manner, having a very easily accessible tone to his writing. This book is a great resource for both the individual, or for a small group study, and I've found it to be very encouraging for my own walk.
Whether by design or circumstance, the book is divided into 30 chapters, most of which end with a brief section titled "A Personal Response" offering more overtly guided ideas for personal reflection and life application. Most chapters are between 8-12 pages in length. Its structured in such a way that this can easily be split up into 30 daily readings.
The author communicates in a clear and concise manner, having a very easily accessible tone to his writing. This book is a great resource for both the individual, or for a small group study, and I've found it to be very encouraging for my own walk.
jaypeabee's review
5.0
This book is awesome for people who tend to worry a lot or struggle with anxiety. It walks you through what God has to say about those things. I found it really helpful and I'll probably read it again just so the concepts can really sink in.
sandiasando's review
I started reading this with a friend but we stopped because it only highlighted and exaggerated our fears by spending a lit of time analyzing fear itself.
legalois's review
5.0
Life changing
I’d dare to say this book is life changing. I love Welch’s books and this was no exception. One of my favorite parts was when he talked about the fear of God.
I’d dare to say this book is life changing. I love Welch’s books and this was no exception. One of my favorite parts was when he talked about the fear of God.
mjenae's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
"Track your fears with the light of Scripture and you are directed to God. Your fears are more about God than you realize. Along the way that light also helps you see yourself more clearly. What you see is that the world is organized into two kingdoms, and the boundary between those two kingdoms, as Alexander Solzhenitsyn observed, cuts right through each of our hearts. Our preference is to straddle that line, but our patient God keeps persuading us to be wholeheartedly devoted to His Kingdom. There is no other way to distance ourselves from fear and anxiety."
This book approached fear in a way I'd never thought of before—allegiances. Every fear leads back to where your trust is.
My feelings never got much involved (which may have been a good thing), but the whole book was full of steady truth. It helped me realize how firm of a foundation I stand on, and it convinced me that it's okay to release the need for understanding and control. The One Who's really in control has my good in mind, and He has promised to give me peace.
This book approached fear in a way I'd never thought of before—allegiances. Every fear leads back to where your trust is.
My feelings never got much involved (which may have been a good thing), but the whole book was full of steady truth. It helped me realize how firm of a foundation I stand on, and it convinced me that it's okay to release the need for understanding and control. The One Who's really in control has my good in mind, and He has promised to give me peace.
brookeyt79's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This was a truly life-changing book. I wasn’t expecting much—I hadn’t heard of the author but it was absolutely perfect for the season that I’m in. He really helps the reader to look past their fears and move toward the work of the Kingdom with faith.
josiahdegraaf's review
5.0
Another great book by Welch where he brings the Gospel powerfully to bear on our lives. I hadn't considered how much fear and worry were a temptation to me before reading this book. But Welch did a really good job of showing how prevalent they are and then in presenting a plethora of ways that we should think about fear and its relation to the Christian life. I read this on Kindle, but will probably need to get a physical copy of this book to truly dig into it and meditate on all the wisdom that Welch has to offer here. Good stuff.
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Excellent).
Rating: 4.5 Stars (Excellent).
bickleyhouse's review
4.0
I received a Kindle version of this book in a free promotional through one of several websites I subscribe to. There was no obligation to provide a positive (or otherwise) review.
At first, I didn't think I was going to like this book. The author calls the thirty chapters "meditations," and, for the first few chapters, I had decided that he didn't really know what that word means. They didn't seem "meditative" at all, to me.
But, if I had been paying closer attention, I would have noticed that part one is called "Initial Observations." That's a good clue. The first four chapters are a sort of "introduction to fear," if you will.
Beginning with part two, "God Speaks," Edward takes the veritable plethora of times that God tells us, "Do not be afraid," and, coupled with God's provision of manna to the Israelites in the wilderness, launches us into a wonderful treatise on how to battle fear and anxiety in our lives.
He covers are propensity to worry (even to worry about worrying), our leaning toward grasping at money and possessions, how we worry about what others think about us, and our fears of death, pain, and punishment (judgment from God).
Finally, he tells us how God speaks peace into our lives.
Perhaps these turned out to be meditations, after all. There are a lot of good points in this book, and I think it well worthy of reading again. We would do well to remember that there are over three hundred occurrences of God telling someone, "Do not be afraid," in the Bible.
I think he means it.
At first, I didn't think I was going to like this book. The author calls the thirty chapters "meditations," and, for the first few chapters, I had decided that he didn't really know what that word means. They didn't seem "meditative" at all, to me.
But, if I had been paying closer attention, I would have noticed that part one is called "Initial Observations." That's a good clue. The first four chapters are a sort of "introduction to fear," if you will.
Beginning with part two, "God Speaks," Edward takes the veritable plethora of times that God tells us, "Do not be afraid," and, coupled with God's provision of manna to the Israelites in the wilderness, launches us into a wonderful treatise on how to battle fear and anxiety in our lives.
He covers are propensity to worry (even to worry about worrying), our leaning toward grasping at money and possessions, how we worry about what others think about us, and our fears of death, pain, and punishment (judgment from God).
Finally, he tells us how God speaks peace into our lives.
Perhaps these turned out to be meditations, after all. There are a lot of good points in this book, and I think it well worthy of reading again. We would do well to remember that there are over three hundred occurrences of God telling someone, "Do not be afraid," in the Bible.
I think he means it.