A New Day: Moving on from hunger, anxiety, control, shame, anger and despair

by Emma Scrivener

Can I break free from my eating disorder? Why do I struggle so much with anxiety? Where can I go with my shame and despair?

There are lots of how-to books out there. In terms of the practicalities of recovery, they’re brilliant. What they don’t address is the spiritual dimension.

A New Day sees award-winning blogger Emma Scrivener moving on from the personal story she told in A New Name. Here she provides lasting biblical solutions for those who struggle with the challenges brought by feelings of hunger, anxiety, control, shame, anger and despair.

Pastorally-sensitive, honest and comforting, the book includes helpful, practical lifestyle ideas to complement the teachings Emma outlines.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Mental Health

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2017

About the author

Emma Scrivener was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, studied at Oxford University and worked in London. She speaks at national events, counsels those with self-harm issues and blogs at A New Name. Her first book, also A New Name, was shortlisted for a national award. Emma and Glen, an evangelist, live with their young daughter Ruby in Eastbourne, UK.

Reviews

[Emily Crutchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're all hungry, anxious, angry, ashamed, despairing and desperate for control. With grace and hope, Emma again hits the nail on the head by tackling our attempts at self righteousness and self justification. An incredibly insightful and helpful guide to navigating mental health for ourselves and others. A must read!!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands-down the best short book out there on hunger, shame, anxiety, control, anger and despair.

Totally realistic, and totally drenched in gospel hope. I found it honest, vulnerable and unbelievably easy to read – like sitting down with a sister over coffee.

What I particularly appreciated is that it avoids the usual two extremes: either being solely abstract ‘spiritual’ musings or being solely common-sense tips from worldly wisdom. The whole thing is threaded through with the gospel ribbons of Jesus, grace and the Bible, with sensible case studies, questions for reflection and template prayers.

[Rebekah Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Emma Scrivener and her honesty and humility about her struggles. Eating disorders, anxiety, OCD, self-harm, anger, depression, Emma does a great job at showing where Jesus fits in with each of these issues. I know I’ll re-read this book many times for my own sake and be buying copies for others. “With God as our Father, Jesus as our Brother, the Spirit as our Helper and the church as our family, none of us is ever alone in the dark. So, arm in arm, let’s keep going”.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really important and interesting read into how we / the church can support those with EDs

[Aneurin Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, prayerful, wise and Christ-centred.

I believe this one of the best books I've read. Emma Scrivener starts us off in the dark of night and we are naked alone and ashamed. Slowly as daylight comes and the darkness dissipates we realise that we have an amazing Father, a caring brother, a wise Counsellor. We are no longer alone in our shame. We have been welcomed into the beautiful arms of the Trinity and are encouraged and loved by a wonderful family.

This book is incredibly practical and beautifully wise. Emma Scrivener highlights the complexities of mental health but points us back to a loving God. The book is full of sound doctrine and I couldn't help but shed a tear at how loving He is, and how in all our mess and all our struggles He is prepared to weep with us and lead us out of it all.

[Christine Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book, so, so helpful. Usually I give books away when I finish them, but I shall be holding onto this, as packed full of helpful information. Whether you are a sufferer or concerned for a loved one. Best read in Small chunks I find as quite a lot to mull over on each page. Thoroughly recommend

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a much needed gospel-centred approach to mental health. The book's structure is beautifully formed: leading us through a metaphorical evening, night, dawn, morning and afternoon. I would recommend this to anybody living with poor mental health (although don't expect any quick fix), anybody who knows someone suffering, anyone in ministry... and so on. The book offers a spiritual framework for eating disorders, OCD, depression, anger issues, anxiety, and sexual abuse, as well as offering practical advice.

[Steve Nation · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully helpful book on a whole range of issues so many of us face. It was a little confronting at times, as Emma is very very honest. But few authors write with the honesty Emma does, and this is a gift to her readers - I connect with a number of the struggles Emma had/has. And the way that Emma weaves God's goodness and grace and redemptive power in and through the story is just a sheer delight. I'll be reading this again soon, and passing it on.

[Imogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a loyal subscriber to Emma Scrivener's blog, I knew this book was going to be good. Simple, sensitive, honest and Biblical, Emma casts light on common struggles we have with hunger, anxiety, control, shame, anger and despair, and suggests how to face these struggles spiritually and practically.

It's no substitute for counselling, but still so helpful. Over the past couple of years, a handful of people I know have been brave enough to open up to me about their struggles with mental health and eating disorders, and I wish I had read this book beforehand so I was in a better position to help them. Having finished reading this book, I want to order five more copies and give a copy to each of them (and I probably will), and record all the quotes which struck me, before handing it onto a friend. Even if you do not struggle with mental health issues, it is well worth a read so you are better equipped to support many people in the church who often battle silently in ways hard for us to fathom.

[Tanya Marlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Emma’s first book – a memoir about perfectionism and anorexia. This similarly-titled book is quite different: a guide for those affected by eating disorders, with concise and insightful conservative evangelical exploration of Genesis 1-3. Emma’s approach has much in common with Alcoholics Anonymous.

I had never considered anorexia as addiction, and I found this lens on anorexia helpful. Because of this, its emphasis is more on recognising your sin within the addiction and acknowledging it truthfully before God. I wasn’t sure of applying this method to other mental illness, however, which was my only quibble with this book.

My favourite part was the pastoral letters, answering specific situations: like her blog-writing, Emma is adept at speaking wisely into people’s situations. Recommended for people battling addictions who need to take ownership for their actions. Also check out A New Name, her beautiful memoir, if you haven’t already read it.

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I had A New Day loosely confused with A New Name when I picked this up. A New Name is, as I understand it, memoir, which is generally (one way or another) up my alley; A New Day is more...taking the bible and explaining how it can be applied to mental illness or to daily struggles.

So I'm not so much the audience for this. I love the cover art, but I'd have to have a different belief system entirely to benefit from the book in the way it's intended to be read. I do appreciate that Scrivener takes a more balanced approach, though. I've read too much advice from other religious authors who basically say that any therapist who does not share your exact beliefs is at best useless and at worst a danger to your soul, but Scrivener is ready and willing to emphasize the necessity of adequate medical care as well as spiritual care, and to say that secular therapists (etc.) don't have to share your belief system to be willing and able to work with it.

I'm not likely to return to this, but a speedy read.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for those struggling with a range of mental health issues, and their friends. I really appreciated how Emma approached the issues she speaks about in this book. The truth of Jesus is central, but she elaborates practically on what it looks like to preach this to yourself, to approach professional help and to carry one another’s burdens. She shapes the book around central themes (hunger, anxiety, shame, despair, anger). At a couple of points I felt like she was reading bible verses through the lens of these themes rather than letting the passage speak first, but this didn’t stop me from finding it a really helpful read and one I would give to others.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an overall thought, the book could have been shorter and would have still achieve what Scrivener was wanting to achieve, which as far as I could tell is to support and show people who suffer with anorexia and various mental illnesses that they are not alone. The layout of the chapters messed with my head a little, and I found that there were certain parts that weren’t entirely necessary to put into the book. Scrivener shared a Christian perspective on suffering and healing well. Although it at points felt more like a self-help biography, than a book of encouragement for people who are suffering.

[Marnie Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a useful book in understanding some mental health problems many people face, and adressing each one with grace. It confronts the roots of where thoughts and behaviours come from, with a biblical perspective, as well as giving suggestions for helping those who struggle with such thoughts and mental health issues (whether it is yourself, or someone else). This is a book I will re-read and I recommend to anyone.

[Selina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I put too much expectation into this book but didn’t get as much from it as I was hoping. There was one part that had me in tears - ‘when you’re not at church a vital part is missing. Even if you’re completely unlike the others in your fellowship, you fill a place that no one else can. We’re meant to be a ridiculous, rag-tag mixture: that’s what sets us apart!’ I needed to hear that 😭

[Alastair Gooderham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, honest and Christ centred. Emma Scrivener follows up 'A New Name' with a book that walks us through 24 hours from evening to afternoon through the darkness and the light. But always pointing us back to Jesus and showing believers they are not alone in their struggle. Well worth a read by everyone who wants to grow in their application of the gospel to themselves and others.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book, equipping those who both struggle with mental health (of all varieties) and those who love those who stuggle. I found all aspects very relatable, despite not being diagnosed with a particular mental health illness. Emma's perspective of a survivor and her testimony to God's work through that is extremely encouraging and helpful. All glory be to God.

[Nate Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, would definitely recommend to someone struggling with any of these issues, or to younger teens that are seeking to understand these things better. Great job of addressing things through a gospel lens!

[Thiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensitivity, practical help for sufferers and those who want to help alike, this book is a valuable tool for building up ways of caring for our own mental health as well as that of others.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much truth and so very helpful in the face of some really hard topics

[Beckie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, biblical, balanced book on mental health.

[Gracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

real and vulnerable, one of my favourite books of all time.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible book perfect for dipping in and out, full of journalling exercises and helpful tips.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and practical book to help people with mental health issues. The advice in here could save someone's life.

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.75

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Day was raw, authentic, and real. Emma Scrivener has shared her life and wisdom to help others who are suffering with mental illness such as eat disorders, anxiety, and other things like anger, shame and despair. Emma had such an easy writing style, inviting you into her life. I felt like I was talking to a close and personal friend. She is a strong woman of God, who has been in the darkness, and really understands. God is using her to help others with the same or similar issues as she has dealt with.

When I started reading this book I had recovered from my depression, but was still struggling somewhat with anxiety, and this book was a part of the healing process I didn't know I needed.
I felt such lightness as I was reading this book. It was a healing balm.

Emma just doesn't tell you to pray harder and all your problems will go away. (Sometimes you need human help and that is okay). She gives practical and biblical advice to help you get through your struggles with God's help. A must read for anyone struggling with mental health issues. I honestly cannot recommend this book enough.

[Anna Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the message I needed to hear. Loved the way this book was structured in terms of different parts of the day (evening, night, morning, afternoon etc) and how they related to the overall narrative.