Overcoming Anxiety: Relief for Worried People

by David A. Powlison

You know the feeling—your mind keeps spinning around and around with the same worries, problems, and fears. You feel like you can’t breathe. Some days your anxiety is so overwhelming that it’s hard for you to believe that anyone, even God, could help you.

David Powlison helps you discover what your anxiety reveals about what is going on inside of you, and then shows you how to bring your anxious thoughts and worries to God, the only Person who can give you a life of peace. You will learn specific ways to replace your free-floating anxiety with trust in God and how to walk by faith through your day.

Genres: Counselling, Christian Living, Faith, Christian, Nonfiction

18 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2012

About the author

David Powlison, MDiv, PhD, (1949–2019) was a teacher, counselor, and the executive director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He wrote many books and minibooks, including Speaking Truth in Love, Seeing with New Eyes, Good and Angry, Making All Things New, God's Grace in Your Suffering, Safe and Sound, and Take Heart. David was also the editor of The Journal of Biblical Counseling.

Reviews

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a helpful and edifying booklet. I do enjoy these biblical counseling “minibooks” since they pack so much good contents in so little space. It is biblical, practical and Gospel driven. While individual titles may vary in terms of how good it is, this particular title on anxiety authored by David Powlison has not only proven to be personally helpful but also serve as a helpful resources for biblical counselors, pastors, disciplers and peer to peer Christian accountability and fellowship going over the issue of anxiety and worrying. Relatively inexpensive, you get your bang for your buck.


This booklet has six section. The first one is titled “The Capacity for Anxiety is God given,” followed by sections titled “You have Good Reasons to be Anxious,” “Your Anxieties Reveal Your Heart,” “Responding to Trouble by Faith,” “Contentment= The Godly Opposite of Sinful Anxiety” and finally “Practical Strategies for Change.”

Early in the book Powlison encourages the reader with the truth that God knows ours anxious thoughts and the Bible has resources to help with our struggles (Kindle Location 20). I thought this book was nuanced and didn’t gave a knee-jerk reaction to anxiety especially with the good point being made that the capacity for anxiety is God-given. In asking the question, “Would you want to live your entire life with no anxiety?” Powlison points out that inert indifferences is not what Christians should pursue either. Probing deeper the author observed that anxiety serves the function to alert us to what’s in our hearts and anxiety is meant bring our troubles and ourselves towards God.

There were so many good contents within this book that is very helpful. Readers who highlight in their readings will find themselves highlighting a lot of great insights and truths found in this work. The analysis of anxiety itself is something one should remember especially the booklet’s observation of how anxiety misfires in two ways: overreaction and how we are troubled by what should not trouble us. The booklet’s practical strategies is very helpful.

I recommend this book!

[Amanda Bittner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great resource on anxiety! This book clearly speaks to the underlying issues/roots of anxiety and the idolatry that often drives it. I found the practical tips to fight anxiety to be SO helpful. Rather than just slapping a Bible verse on our anxieties, we can run to the Lord, repent of our lack of trust and idolatry, and grow to trust Him more over time. Will read again and hope to use this to help others!

[Stephenie wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice step by step practical approach

Easy to apply
Too short
Hits the nail on the head
Good examples
Faithful to the word of God scripturally accurate.

[Makayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful little pamphlet on anger. It it’s not condemning but focuses on where anger comes from, why we get angry, and how to walk in the spirit.

[Mark Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with the CHC elders.

Anxiety, good and bad, and how to respond in small steps of faith to it.

[Parker James Lipetska · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1 helpful

[S Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic ministry resource for a problem the plagues more people than we realize.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet.

[Jeffrey Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short book that is to the point about anxiety. Some good info within these pages.

[Matthew Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good counseling resource

[Mr Pryor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Short Meaty Read

Dr Powlison doesn't disappoint. The scripture references are great. Also, the exercise in the pamphlet helps to "slow you down". Freedom sometimes cones from " small steps of faith", so take your first step and BUY this booklet.

[Jamie Kaczowka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little book with tons of wisdom on Gods sovereignty and our worry/anxiety.