In this faith-bolstering book, best-selling author Edward T. Welch investigates the roots of fear in the human heart and the ramifications of living in the grips of anxiety, worry, and dread.
Running Scared explores how fear inescapably takes root in all of our lives and how our race for the good life finds us all too often "running scared." Welch encourages readers to discover for themselves how the Bible is full of beautiful words of comfort and peace for fearful people.
Everyone is afraid of something, and Welch guides readers to see how Jesus enters in to fear. Within thirty topical meditations, Welch offers sound biblical theology, gospel answers, and moment-by-moment, thoughtful encouragement for those in a heart and mind battlefield of rampant, panic-stricken fear.
This comprehensive primer on the topic of fear, worry, and the rest of God will have readers retreating to Scripture for invariable constancy, stalwart care, and robust comfort rather than human independence, control, and self-protectiveness.
Running Scared affirms that, through Scripture, God speaks directly to our fears, including:
Welch's lively text provides convincing evidences that humanity's struggle against active and dormant fears are countless. He presents the good news that God provides both the remedy and the cure for this malady in the person of Jesus Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and through powerful, life-altering promises in Scripture.
Far more than merely another psychology "self-help" guide, Running Scared serves as a biblical road map to a life of serenity and security.
"Fear is the most underrated emotion of all our troubles. Ed has written a great book that is of great help to those of us who have to struggle with the paralyzing feelings of fear and anxiety."
Stephen Arterburn, Founder, New Life Ministries and Women of Faith; author, Reframe Your Life
"Fear can make cowards of us all. It can also cripple the mighty, stripping us of confidence and strength to ever face the challenges of ordinary life a terrible way to live. In his characteristic voice which is both authoritative and sensitive, Welch inspires us to turn to God as our champion in our battle with fear."
Tim Clinton, EdD, President, American Association of Christian Counselors
"Worries are false prophets that insight alone was worth the price of the book, but far, far more awaits the wise reader who exploits this brilliant book by Ed Welch. Ed tells our story of fear and worry with compelling honesty and depth. But even more, he invites us to see how our loyal God refuses to abandon us in our fear; instead, he allows our fear to reveal our fragility and desperate need for his presence. I was not only informed and moved by this book; I was invited to worship. This is not merely a book about fear; it is an invitation to a transformed view of God."
Dan B. Allender, PhD, Professor of Counseling, The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology; author, To Be Told, The Healing Path, The Wounded Heart, and Leading with a Limp
"To live is to fret, and Ed Welch understands why. With an impressive grasp of what makes people tick, Ed exposes what lies beneath our fears and escorts us to the One who supplies hope for worriers. Ed's writing is clear, honest, pastoral, and most importantly, soaked with Scripture. Read this book, and be not afraid."
Dave Harvey, Sovereign Grace Ministries; author, When Sinners Say "I Do"
"Capturing the depth and complexity of fear, Welch provides immeasurable insight into an emotion that is experienced by all, but for some enslaves. Skillfully illustrating the eternal sufficiency of Jesus Christ and the majesty of his glorious Kingdom, Running Scared forces fear beneath the shadow of the Almighty where it dissipates under the loving care of a heavenly Father. A remarkable read!"
Jeremy Lelek, MA, President, Association of Biblical Counselors
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Like all of Ed Welch's books, Running Scared is a helpful book for ordinary people who struggle with ordinary sins. Scripture-laden and down-to-earth, this expose on fear, worry, and anxiety addresses our souls with the living and active word of the Living God. Welch writes in an easy, conversational style, weaving Scripture, personal stories, and thoughtful heart-oriented application into the tapestry of his book. The thirty chapters are short enough to read several in one sitting. The last two thirds of the book helpfully divides into four sections addressing three categories of fear: (1) money and possessions; (2) people and their judgments; (3) death, pain and punishment; then finally, peace with God. This last section may be my favorite, as Welch helpfully unfolds several biblical themes (such as covenant, shalom, and peacemaking) with a view to helping us deal with our fears. Running Scared will be helpful for several groups of people: (1) those with anxiety disorders or pathological fears; (2) people struggling with everyday, garden-variety worry; (3) psychologistis, pastors, and both professional and lay counselors who are trying to help people work through their fears. I found the book helpful in both personal and pastoral ways and highly recommend it to others.
I haven't finished reading all this book, but what I have read so far is pretty good. The author does not treat fear and anxiety with trivial phrases but go into more depth about what is really going on and how our fears really show us where our treasure is. I am learning from this.
A very helpful book for those of us with fears, which includes most all of us. The first few chapters aren't very helpful but then he gets to the root of our fears and I found the middle section very helpful in understanding what our fears really are - a mistrust in God and His goodness.
Edward T. Welch, begins by explaining that "...fears come with the package of being human," and that for most of us "fear...becomes the background noise of everyday life." Possibly that is why "Do not be afraid" is the most frequent command in the Bible - mentioned over 300 times! Welch goes on to discuss how our fears, worries and anxieties speak about our desires, about what we love, and what or who we trust the most; that "they are more about us than about the things outside us. They reveal what is valuable to us, and what is valuable to us in turn reveals our kingdom allegiances." Are we focused on the kingdom of this world or on the kingdom of God? He continues, "All we can see with the naked eye is our own particular frets and fears, but there is something much bigger taking place. Worries are a way that we doubt the King's presence and power. Our doubts could come from our own stubborn commitment to the myth of personal autonomy, or they may come from satanic accusations that question God's generosity and our unworthiness. Either way, anxiety and worry are spiritual wake-up calls that must be handled by spiritual means." (Pg.118) This book does not provide 10 easy microwave steps to overcoming our fears. Nor does it sidestep the obvious fact that we as Christians can and do suffer in this life. However, Dr. Welch very aptly breaks down the underlying motives and causes of fear and worry; and using Scripture, precept upon precept, turns our eyes toward God and his purposes for us in the Kingdom of His Son. Or in his words, "Track your fears with the light of Scripture and you are directed to God."
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..
