Worry Less, Live More: God’s Prescription for a Better Life

by Robert J. Morgan

How do you bury worry before it buries you?


Worry, which is essentially a strain of fear, is a rational response to real pressures and problems. Life is harder than we expect, and even the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace Himself, admitted, “Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). He said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). On one occasion, He even said, “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say?” (John 12:27). Our souls are easily troubled. The world and its trials seem to only increase.


In nearly forty years of pastoral counseling, Rob Morgan has seen a lot of changes in our culture. People are anxious, and everyone seems increasingly tense and taunt. We’re overextended, running on empty, and often running late. We’re worried and we’re weary. One moment we’re alarmed about global politics and the next we’re frustrated with a clogged commode or a cranky boss. Stress can have a way of keeping us on pins and needles from dawn to darkness.


In this book Pastor Morgan leads the way through the investigation of the Bible’s premier passage on the subject of anxiety. Philippians 4:4–9 is God’s most definitive word about overcoming anxiety and experiencing His overwhelming peace. Dissecting the following eight practices this vital passage promotes will help you to wage war on worry:



The Practice of Rejoicing
The Practice of Gentleness
The Practice of Nearness
The Practice of Prayer
The Practice of Thanksgiving
The Practice of Thinking
The Practice of Discipleship
The Practice of Peace
When we study and employ these practices effectively, we have the power to erase anxious thoughts and compose our minds with peace in any situation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Christian Living

Audio CD

Published November 7, 2017

Reviews

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you rate any book by Robert J. Morgan as anything less than five stars?

Don't let the subtitle fool you. This is not a trite book promising an easy life. Neither is it a list of 10 steps to no worry. Far from it, this book is a great juxtaposition of the life lived by worry and the life lived by faith and trust.

For many people, living with worry is just the way that have always done life. They cannot imagine any other way to live. When they wake up, they see danger everywhere. The are concerned about what might be, what might not be, and sometimes they even worry about worrying so much. What if God wanted more for us?

He does.

In this book, Robert Morgan takes the reader through Philippians 4:5-9 and helps them to see that these verses can be a blueprint for trust that can help in the battle against worry. He goes further to show what the life free from the tormentor of worry can and should look like.

Each chapter has discussion questions, making this an excellent resource for Bible study personally or with a group.

[Lolita Kringe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Uplifting and encouraging.

[Zachary Houle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a season of many Christian-themed books that deal with the topic of anxiety. I’ve already reviewed two of them: one was great (Carlos Whittaker’s Kill the Spider) and one was not so great (Lance Hahn’s The Master’s Mind). Into the fray comes a book that is neither good or bad, just mediocre: Robert J. Morgan’s Worry Less, Live More. It turns out I’ve reviewed a previous Morgan book earlier this year — Reclaiming the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation — and my biggest concern with that book was how the author pooh-poohed forms of Christian meditation that didn’t involve memorizing Bible verses. There’s a “my way or the highway” attitude Morgan has that informed his earlier title, and it infuses his latest book, too. Suffice to say, while the author acknowledges the role of therapists in defeating anxiety, nothing beats the prescription notepad of God known as the Bible according to him. Such thinking, if I may dare say so, is dangerous to those who might be, you know, suicidal.

Still, putting that notion aside, Worry Less, Live More isn’t that bad of a book. It looks at Philippians 4:4–9 as a remedy of quelling anxiety, and I must admit that a peace fell over me as I read this title. Taking its cues from the verses in Philippians, the book is divided into eight practices that the reader can put into place in their own lives: the practices of rejoicing, gentleness, nearness, prayer, thanksgiving, thinking, discipleship and peace. The book says that if you put these eight things into place, you will be less likely to be anxious.

Read the rest here: https://medium.com/@zachary_houle/a-r...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worry Less, Live More God's Prescription for a Better Life by Robert J. Morgan gives what Robert believes as a Biblical answer to handling anxiety. In a society where prescription medication is prescribed the highest to treat anxiety, Mr. Morgan gives hands on solutions from a Biblical worldview to help those who are looking to experience the overwhelming joy and peace of God back in their lives. Coming from a ministry approach, he has seen a shift in society and those who walk into his office on a daily basis. He is all too familiar with the fear and life crippling thoughts Anxiety can bring. What I find very fascinating about this book is how he took the eight practices the reader puts into place from Philippians 4:4-9 and we get a great look at the life Paul led. The last portion of this book is a work book, so I recommend purchasing the book if you want to walk through and do it. Do not purchase for Kindle or Ipad. Having read other books on Anxiety through a Christian world view lens, I felt this book was a bit stretched. I think the author did well in providing practical solutions and allowing the reader to learn how to work through emotions. I don't think this addressed many of the deep issues behind anxiety, which is the reason why people look to books for help. The solutions are great, but the reasons behind the solutions are the reason why people need to fix it in the first place. Overall, I give this book 4/5 stars. I was not required to write a favorable review. All the opinions here expressed are my own.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely needed this book. Pastor Morgan’s book on anxiousness is one of the best I’ve read on this subject. He is very open and transparent about his own past worries and even his current struggle with anxious thoughts. He gives a very clear and thoughtful picture of God’s peace and how God has given us the tools to combat worry as he goes through Philippians 4:4-9.

I gleaned so much from this book and I was extremely encouraged. I believe everyone should read this, but especially those dealing with anxiousness, worry, or depression.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians‬ ‭4:4-9‬ ‭

[Lovely Loveday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worry Less, Live More God's Prescription for a Better Life is a very informative read that explains how the Bible tells us to handle anxiety. In a world, full of unknown and insecurities this book helps you to rediscover the joy and peace of God in your life. Written from a ministry approach, this self-help devotional style book is a way to approach anxiety in hopes to help you understand the crippling thoughts that anxiety can bring. I really enjoyed reading Worry Less, Live More and found a lot of useful ways to help come to deals with this crippling disease. This book is full of scripture, love, hope, and stories from people who live their life in fear or worry. I like that the end of the book is a workbook that you can work through at your own pace. Overall, a good read that has a lot of helpful information.  

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

Using faith as counseling has been a practice for years, this book deals on the level of this topic by expressing a way for people to start coping with stresses of everyday and the build up of anxiety. I think to get the most out of the chapters you must really have a strong faith and love of God as well as the truth of the Bible, because they are the guides in which this author chose to use to get his points across. I would recommend this book to someone who either wants to learn more or is overcome with the worries of the mind.

[Reuben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do believe this book was meant for people like me, who worry too much and don't trust in God to work things out. The story at the end, where the author was with a friend, was one that was especially enlightening. But all parts of the book had something to offer really. It was helpful how Robert J. Morgan took apart a verse and explained it, as well as the overall structure of Philippians 4:4-9. And the stories of people with strong faith in God were also great.
I myself plan to keep many of it's tips on hand. So I highly recommend this for anyone who needs to worry less!

[Allen Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am beset by worry, and some of the insights were spot on. Some that stired in me a want to pray, to give it to God. There were some verses that I felt were taken out of context. Not every mention of the word worry is there to explain how to not worry. But overall a great book on the dangers of too much worry, and how our witness can be hurt by worrying much.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book. Something to ease the mind.

[momloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a lot of really good information. I think he may have actually put a little too much into it, but it was informational and practical.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good medicine. Grounded in scripture, and with plenty of actually helpful and actionable encouragement.

[Judy Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Morgan admits to struggling with worry his whole life so this is a personal journey. I found the Biblical truths of Philippians 4 to be very helpful in finding ways to work through anxiety.

[Martin Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful book, great working thru Phil 4:4-9.

If you ever worry, I highly recommend this.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this practical guide and walk through Philippians 4:4-7, the "do not be anxious about anything " passage. Concise, solid, and edifying.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots and lots of scripture be sure to read the book not listen to the audiobook. His book Red Sea Rules was much better.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've struggled with worry for a long time, and at some point in the last year or so, this book was brought to my attention. I checked it out, and I'm glad I did. There was helpful tips inside this book, and I appreciated how many Scripture references there were throughout the entire book.

[Kristen D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost didn't read this book as it was so late arriving with Amazon (I actually cancelled it, but it still arrived 2 days later after a month of waiting!). But I am sooo glad I did! Morgan's writing really resonates with me, and I especially needed the message of this one from Philippians 4: 4-9

Second read May 2025