Book Review: Fearless by Max Lucado

Today Max Lucado's new book "Fearless - Imagine Your Life Without Fear" hits book stores everywhere. I had the privilege of reading a copy in advance and as Lucado usually does - he stretched my thinking and took my heart places it had not gone.

Due to my own pride, the title of the book did not draw me in - I did not see myself as a fearful person but as I turned the pages he awakened all the fears that I have deep down inside and answered them one by one with God's truth. Some of the fears he addressed in an extraordinary way were: fear of disappointing God, fear of not mattering, fear of not protecting my kids, fear of life's final moments, fear of global calamity, fear of running out of money in this bad economy and the list goes on.

Lucado says "We depend on mood altering drugs more than any other generation in history." Fear is an epidemic especially since 9/11. I learned through this book that I am not alone in my fears. Fear is common and faith is rare. Over and over Jesus commands "fear not...do not be afraid...have courage...take heart...be of good cheer." He does not want to see his followers shaking in their boots. He wants us to be strong and courageous!

When a child cries at night over a monster in their room - the parent knows that there is no monster but to the child it is very real. The child needs to be reassured that everything is okay. Lucado explains, in the same way, when we get all worked up and anxious over something that has yet to happen God knows "there are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them." But he is always there reassuring us of his presence, love and care.

Lucado speaks profoundly of death "Suppose death is different from how they thought of it, less a curse and more a passage way, not a crisis to be avoided but a corner to be turned...What if the cemetery is not the dominion of the Grim Reaper but the domain of the Soul Keeper, who will someday announce "O dwellers in the dust, awake and sing for joy!" Isa.26:19." Lucado says "it's safe to die" there's no need to dread it or ignore it because of Christ you can face it."

Be strong and courageous and if the enemy has gripped your life with fear I HIGHLY recommend you get your hands on this book and be free to live well!

Walk with the King!

http://www.womenlivingwell.org/