Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times

by Adam Hamilton

Fear is a complex emotion. Sometimes it saves us. More often it robs us of the life we want. But we can take our lives back.

You'd be hard-pressed to overstate the extent to which fear, anxiety, and worry permeate our lives today. Fear wreaks havoc on our relationships and communities. It leads us into making bad decisions. It holds us back from the very pursuits that promise fulfillment and joy.

Making matters worse, not a week goes by when some new threat or calamity isn't dominating the headlines. Why are there so many tragedies? we wonder. What will happen next?

As the senior pastor of a large, diverse church in America's heartland, Adam Hamilton has seen the cost of fear up close. When he surveyed his congregation on how fear affects them, 2,400 people responded--and what they said was eye-opening. Eighty percent admitted to living with moderate or significant levels of fear.
Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times is Reverend Hamilton's insightful and impassioned response.

Drawing on recent research, inspiring real-life examples, and fresh biblical insight, Hamilton shows how to untangle the knots we feel about disappointing others, failure, financial insecurity, loneliness, insignificance, and aging. Then he helps readers understand and counter fears related to such outsize perils as terrorism, death, and the apocalypse.

Writing with generosity and intelligence, Hamilton shows how believer and unbeliever alike can develop sustaining spiritual practices and embrace Jesus's recurring counsel: "Do not be afraid." For anyone struggling with fear or wondering how families and communities can thrive in troubled times, Unafraid offers an informed and inspiring message full of practical solutions.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Religion, Church, Christianity, Faith, Spirituality

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2018

About the author

Rev. Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He grew up in the Kansas City area. He earned a B.A. degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has grown from four people in 1990 to more than 16,000 adult members with an average weekly worship attendance of more than 8,600 in 2011. The church was listed as the most influential mainline church in America in a 2005 survey of American pastors.

Adam has been married 30 years to LaVon. They have two grown daughters.

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Goodreads giveaway!
Much like Hamilton's sermons, the book combines "real word" ideas with biblical supports and comforts. He uses his own stories, along with those of people he's known and pastored, and puts them alongside the bible to show how our current situations can be informed and inspired by God's word. It is, like his church, wonderful for the "nominally religious" to see how Christianity is relevant in today's world.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one that I previewed for a potential Bible study. I liked that he had both the science of fear and the biblical responses to fear in the same book. As I've come to expect with an Adam Hamilton book, the material was presented in a way that kept my attention and was very readable. I would encourage everyone to read this book.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at our fears and how we can still live our best life with hope.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this along with the small group guide to lead two ZOOM small groups of church members during the 2020 pandemic shut down. It is helpful, accessible, faithful. The book discusses a wide range of real life fears offering a practical and faith filled way to reframe each. It’s not going to knock your socks off with depth of insight or soaring rhetoric but you will finish Unafraid with a sense of grounding and hopefulness.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and full of encouragement and truths I needed to read and remember right now. I read this for a study at my church, but I could see lots of value in this work for a non-profit Christian as well.

[Kelsey Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an overview of different fears than anything deeply helpful, though I did get a few good things out of it. Mostly I enjoyed it because I read it as part of a Bible study group, and it served as a jumping-off point for discussions that were helpful and impacting.

[Coco Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh I wasn’t impressed with this book. Selected by our Sunday school class so I attempted to read it. But honestly it was a DNF & not a genre I typically enjoy. I made it about 65% through.

This book explained types of fear and issues that arise from living in fear, but failed at educating explicit ways to cope with fear (which I would’ve assumed to the be meat of said Book).

I also got annoyed at the many references and lack of original content. It felt more like a meta analysis of the topic of fear itself where the author summarized his own research of fear.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book written for these uncertain times. I am looking for more progressive teachers and Hamilton isn’t terribly progressive but coming out of Evangelicalism, he’s a breath of fresh air. And I am trying to rebuild the faith that was destroyed when the total hypocrisy of the American Church was exposed in 2016. Hamilton is a good voice to look to and as a Methodist, it is nice to read a book from a Wesleyan tradition.

For me the most poignant parts relates to the current fear surrounding our state of politics. I got a lot out of that and the discussion around fear of failure and loneliness. He also covers fear of aging, illness and dying but that just doesn’t resonate with me (yet? Maybe?)

He is unafraid (see what I did there?) to weave in other faith traditions, like mindfulness, and secular techniques into how our faith life can look with Christianity. I really appreciated that. So many times fundamentalists shun mental health professionals and the real benefits from other faith traditions. Admitting they might be right doesn’t have to mean we’re wrong.

As I cautiously delve back into growing my faith, I can add Hamilton as another author to look to for Christian guidance.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this senior pastor of the 20,000 member of the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, it will not be my last. The main sections of the book were 1. Understanding and countering fear, 2. Crime, race, terrorism and politics, 3. Failure, disappointing others, insignificance and loneliness, 4. Apocalypse, change, missing out and finances and 5. Aging, illness, dying and the Fear of the Lord - 20 chapters in all. There is also a DVD and Bible study series available on the title and a 31day scripture reading section.
I myself am a very positive, optimistic Christian, but I could identify with each chapter and subject on some level. He proposes an acronym that captures his four steps.
Face your fears with faith
Examine your assumptions in light of the facts
Attack your anxieties with action
Release your cares to God
He states and I think rightfully so, that Americans are more fearful and anxious about everything then they have been in a long time and this book will go a long way to explain the background and facts, and give you a solid action plan to help your anxiety level. It is not a preachy book or a scare tactics and return to the Lord lesson. Adam Hamilton is well centered in the Bible and provides many helpful stories and examples of real people. One of the most amusing chapters was on FOMO, the fear of missing out, I have seen that in me and many of those people on social media. Pastor Hamilton knows them well and tells it like it is, and hope to help your anxiety. I loved his quotes and can think of many people I can suggestion to read or talk in a small group with. He is a wise teacher. I would almost call it a must buy for your library. It isn’t your ordinary self help book but a real help.

[Promobon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Fear is a Complex Emotion," so begins the book 'Unafraid' by Adam Hamilton's book jacket. Fear dominates Americans right now, so this is a pitch-perfect book on identifying and overcoming fear. There is research. There is inspiration. There is Hope. Mainly, Hamilton's words not only help us identify fear in ourselves but understand it from others' perspective.

Yes, it's written by a Methodist Minister, but fear not. He's progressive, intelligent and perhaps fearless in a denomination and faith rocked by disingenuous leaders and hypocrisy. It's a quick read and if you're lucky enough to hear him speak of the book in person, jump at the chance.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in some time! The simple fact is - we all are afraid. We all live with fears about something - our health, terrorism, economic insecurity, 'what if people really knew who I am?' how our friends perceive us, etc. Certainly, some fear is normal and actually health - it keeps us safe. But most fear is detrimental to our overall health and well being. Pastor Adam Hamilton has created a wonderful read with great insights about how fear works, and how we can combat it to live healthier lives.

This volume connects with many resources and insights - psychological and therapeutic - but rest assured, it is largely seeking to tackle the challenges of fear from a Christian perspective. Using Scripture to give perspective and establish trust in the fact of God's love for us, Hamilton pulls together stories of our faith to help us and inspire us to trust in God's care, and to help us confront our various fears.

Part of the credibility of this book comes from the fact that Hamilton is not afraid to share personal stories. It is one thing to read someone telling us what to do; it is another to have a person share their own struggles and examples of confronting fear, and being honest about their fears, and then sharing how God and the use of Scripture helped him to confront and overcome those fears. This book, and Pastor, has great credibility.

When I consider the daily challenges of my own live I realize that this book is a blessing and source of hope and assurance. I would highly commend to any and all as a resource for renewed faith and for addressing the universal challenge of our human fears.

[Jennifer Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brave new book – Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times by Adam Hamilton



My Review:
Packed with statistics, social studies, and Biblical truth, Adam Hamilton confronts fear and its causes in American during these postmodern times.

He discusses politics, parenting, church efforts and failures…also loneliness, significance, FOMO, finances, and illness.

There’s not really any new information in the book, but it is very attractively packaged into 5 parts, each with 4 chapters. Footnotes provide extra information about sources of info. The appendix includes 31 Days of Scripture Reading on Fear.

Hamilton is unafraid to mention what many of us are feeling in this scary social media-induced dystopia.

We are feeding our fears instead of facing them.

I have liked Hamilton’s other books, and this book is no different. Well-written, including relevant personal stories, facts and statistics for the intellectual in me…It shows fear as the evil it is and how we can still be courageous in spite of fear.

[Laura Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Hamilton continues to grow in his writing and pastoring. I think this may be his best book yet. It is thoroughly researched with input from many sources including mental health professionals. This expansive view of the subject leaves room for non-religious and minorly spiritual folks with much to learn on the subject of fear alongside what the Christian faith has to offer.

Hamilton is not just sermonizing here. He gives a practical tool for helping to fight any kind of fear, and then he applies that tool to the main things that most people fear. Each fearful topic is full of stories, statistics, suggested actions, scripture, and faith to walk the reader through confronting the fear and responding with courage and hope. An appendix lists 31 scripture readings on fear and instructions on practicing lectio divina to create a devotional that could significantly contribute to the reader overcoming their fears.

I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for church Sunday-school class. Reading just two chapters a week probably isn't the best way to get the most out of this book, but that's what we did.

This is different from most of Hamilton's books, as it was publisher-driven and aimed at a broad "self-help" market. Most of the chapters are pretty generic self-help information with some Christian and Biblical references sprinkled in, often toward the end of each chapter. That said, the final two chapters, where fear of death is addressed, are a little different and, to me, are by far the best part of the book. (*See note below)

As with everything Adam Hamilton does, this is high-quality, just not my favorite type of book for Sunday School.

*Note: I live in Hamilton's area and have heard him preach many times. He is ALWAYS wonderful and his book are always useful.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A VERY relevant book for this time. Fear is a complex emotion. Sometimes it serves us. More often it robs us of the life we want. But we can take our lives back. We would be hard-pressed to overstate the extent to which fear, anxiety, and worry permeate our lives especially in our day and age. Fear wreaks havoc on or relationships and our communities. It leads us into making bad decisions. Adam Hamilton is the senior pastor of a large diverse Methodist church and he has seen the cost of fear up close. Drawing on recent research, real life examples, and fresh Biblical insight, Hamilton shows how to untangle the knots we feel about disappointing others, failure, financial insecurity, loneliness, insignificance, and aging. Then he helps the reader understand and counter fears related to such large perils as terrorism, pandemics, and death. A good read for these tumultuous times.

[Keith Beasley-Topliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Hamilton examines many aspects and objects of fear, from finances and job insecurity to sickness, aging, and death. He illustrates these with many stories from his family and members of his church. He offers ways to face and combat our fear with an emphasis on prayer, scripture, and psychiatric or psychological counseling. He frequently suggests other books for further information on particular areas. And throughout he returns to a mnemonic acrostic:
Face your fears with faith.
Examine your assumptions in light of the facts.
Attack your anxieties with action.
Release your cares to God.

The book would be good as a personal resource and even better with a study group. There are study guides and videos to help a group. I haven't looked at them. My rating is just for the book.

[Krystal Lance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! As someone who suffers from severe anxiety and depression, this book has shown me ways to be strong and how to work through when I’m afraid and anxious. I’ve been given back my confidence to go after my dreams, which I’ve put aside a few years back.

Adam Hamilton has a great writing style, where he is able to explain things in ways that’s easy to understand. Even though, he is a Reverend, he doesn’t preach at you. He’s very open and so was his wife, LaVon, for putting in some of their personal stories of fear and anxiety’s. It’s always great to hear from somebody who, “gets it.”

I give this book 5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam Hamilton provides sound advice for facing our fears in Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times. Each chapter covers a different type of fear: financial, loneliness, crime, race, terrorism, failure, disappointing others, insignificance, apocalypse, change, missing out, aging, illness, and dying. Hamilton draws on his experiences as a pastor of a large Methodist congregation and also examines what the Bible has to say about fear. Although this is not a “deep” theological book, he does give many suggestions for how to live a courageous and hopeful life.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only complaint is that when he writes about natural responses to fear, he repeatedly only mentions fight or flight. He does acknowledge that fear and anxiety can cause mental paralysis. but doesn't put it in the group of physical responses to fear. He also doesn't mention fawning at all, which is also a very natural response.
Learning that these are natural physical responses gave me a release from guilt of not fighting or fleeing when I have been assaulted. More people need to know these responses are as hard-wired into us as fight and flight are.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. I mean, it's for people who really need it. The author really focuses on the extreme part of fear. I didn't think I was there, yet. Therefore, I know the book is always there when I need it. The author really went into details on EVERYTHING. And that's good, I guess, again for people who are really stuck. And we all get to the point where we can't take it anymore. That's when this book will be helpful. I hope you enjoy it more than I did.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was bible-centered, but not completely religious. I was given this book by a friend on an anniversary of a sad event in my life over a year ago and finally got around to reading it. I liked all of the personal stories scattered throughout the book. The chapters felt short and manageable. I enjoyed the bible study section in the rear as well. Nothing earth shattering, but a good book all the same and some items can be useful in dealing with fear and anxiety.

[Toddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written before the pandemic and released JUST before, which seems incredibly prescient. It touches upon pretty much all the topics that make us anxious these days - you name it, it's in there. He presents a remarkably compassionate and balanced tone throughout, and although Hamilton is a prolific Christian writer and pastor, most of his advice is more bent along cognitive behavioral therapy lines than faith-based; still, trust in God is at the crux of it all.

[Monica Arredondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Adam Hamilton book!

Once again, Adam Hamilton writes simply yet profoundly about something that touches everyone in many ways.....fear. He describes different fears and talks about ways of handling those fears, while reminding the reader throughout the book that God will take away all our fears if we let Him into our lives.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Adam Hamilton's writing is very personable and is insights are spot on. I started this book as part of a study for church but had some family interruptions and didn't have a chance to attend after the first two weeks. The book was captivating so I kept on on my own and I am very glad that I did!

[Crystal Harkness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pastor Adam Hamilton brings together bible verse and real-life problems to discuss the issues surrounding fear in American society. Written much like you would expect a sermon to be spoken pastor Hamilton advises his readers on ways to overcome fear and live a happier life. This would make a great book club read or a bible study read.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually I read it, not sure how I got the audio version on my list. Hamilton provides good advice for plotting ones life through the trials and tribulations of the modern world. This is especially true in March of 2020 with the pandemic! Since the author is a Methodist Minister, it follows that his answers and philosophy are Wesleyan in nature.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was on my list from a giveaway, I did not win, but still checked out the book. I was not impressed, I could not read more than a few pages at a time. I highly doubt that I learned much. I felt that there was a lot of pandering. Many of the chapters were conversational, but I felt like I was being preached at.

[Kevin Moeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read, short chapters that get to the point and I did not lose what Adam was trying to say. I especially love the last chapter. How the people of ancient times had such a faith in God that they could have peace, a “peace that passes all understanding.”anything. Help me Lord to have such a faith!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book with our small-group Bible study at church over 8 weeks, and it was an excellent experience. There are a set of videos available on YouTube that accompany each chapter. Although each chapter contains new categories of worry (e.g., terrorists, politics, death), the message of the book is living with courage and hope. I feel better for having read it!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unafraid – Adam Hamilton -- During the process of organizing my tbr pile, I found several that I had won in giveaways and never read. This one I think I meant to read a little every day to get the vibe of how it would be to use it as a daily devotional, but I never got around to it. Bite-sized but thought provoking! It’s a cute little book perfect for a gift! Happy Reading!