Putting An X through Anxiety - Breaking Free from the Grip of Worry and Stress

by Louie Giglio

A companion to Goliath Must Fall

Anxiety may be the fear over your shoulder, the worry by your side, or the dread hanging over your life. For many, it's a powerful giant that would like you to believe that your life will never be normal again. A giant that traps you in darkness and defeat.

But, you can live free from anxiety.

Knowing firsthand the reality of the battle of anxiety, Pastor Louie Giglio shares both practical and spiritual ways to walk in freedom. With encouragement and hope he unfolds the truth in the paradox that anxiety is dead but still deadly-namely, that while the reality of anxiety may be intimidating, there is One whose power has already won the battle.

This helpful resource will show you how to put and "X" through your anxiety using the strongest of weapons: the cross of Jesus. Each day of the journey will help you put one foot forward in the battle, breaking through strongholds where Jesus has already fought for you and won.

Genres: Christian, Self Help, Nonfiction, Faith, Mental Health, Religion, Christian Non Fiction

60 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Morgan Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick, but influential read. I love how it has spiritual encouragement, as well as practical steps to put an X through anxiety. This book is relatable and easily applicable.

[Jake Steen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Quick lil pocket sized 30 min read. It was pretty solid, just short. Felt like something you’d maybe go back and reference quickly when u may need it. It’s got some good practical stuff in there like naming the roots, physically taking deep breaths, and good scripture references. Short and sweet.

[Maggie Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you are dealing with anxiety, you want fast answers and solutions. This little boo won’t solve all of your problems, but it’s a fast read and I was comforted by the message, and it helped me put some things into perspective. I found it quite helpful.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick and easy yet encouraging read. Anxiety is one of those things that I've seen manifesting itself in my family since I was young. While I don't "suffer" from it, I like to consistently fill my mind with scripture that puts it at bay. This book had great insight and reminded me of many points in the Bible that prove time and time again that God is so much greater than the grip of anxiety.

[Melissa Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read, maybe 40 short pages all together. Good ideas that are sometimes presented in an overly-emotional way (Ah, The Message, my old nemesis).
Great for those struggling with anxiety. Gives a mix of practical tips and Christian perspective.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book as a companion with pastor Giglio’s longer book, “Goliath Must Fall” (GMF). Throughout the spring semester, I read GMF with a group of friends. I still haven’t finished GMF, but I am close to the end. I’ve read this short book on and off for the past months, and recently picked it back up again. The final chapters were really, really good. I do remember liking earlier sections of it too. Overall, I like this book even more than GMF. The messages were very clear. One, in particular, was very memorable: in the last chapter on pages 57-58, he talks about breathing out “I cannot” while breathing in “Jesus can” to dispel anxiety through deep breathing and looking to Jesus. He writes, “staying in step with Jesus helps you stay out of step with anxiety.” I also appreciate how he says that going to the doctor is a step he took and others may need to take. God can use exercise and medicine to bring healing to us too. There were times when I was training for a 1/2 marathon in March of this year when I’d look up at the sky and thank God that I had a desire to run because running helps with stress and anxiety. Thank you Pastor Giglio for writing this book and sharing your story!

[Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not all bad, but very basic and problematic at several junctures: 1) Blames too much of our struggles on Satan, not on our own flesh; 2) On page 51 he promotes the philosophy of "Let go and let God," which is popular to society but contrary to Scripture; 3) On page 63 and at other points, there is a subtle (or not so subtle) blame shift when he speaks of "what was causing me to be anxious..." and points to people and other entities. This is not Biblically true. People and circumstances do not cause anxiety. Influence? Yes! Cause? No! This leads to the next point, 4) He confuses influences with causation; 5) On page 103 when he speaks of the roots of anxiety he misses the mark. On page 11 he begins a section on humility which was the strongest section of the book and the one in which I can agree with him.

As a whole, it might help some people but the essence of it leaves so much to be desired. I appreciate Louie and the Lord uses him. This is just not a resource that I believe would be truly that helpful for people who need to change Biblically.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am divided when the solution to a human problem is just Jesus. I mean, Jesus is the solution for life, but God gave us tools to manage life. So the solution to "being hungry" is not "Jesus", it is "food". As with "anxiety" the solution is not "Jesus" but maybe more something like "seeking therapy and work through the anxiety step by step" - a solution that do not exclude Jesus. This book does not stretch it too much, but just enough that I don't feel it is solid enough a book for anxiety. This book may be part of a solution for someone, but not the whole and it is a bit off when it proposes only the Jesus solution when the problem is much more complex than throwing religion at it.

I may be a bit unfair, because I'm sure Giglio has his heart the right place and all. I even found the idea of worship in times of anxiety a good idea, as well as talking to God in times of worry, but even then it should be checked with a psychologist and the lack of that insight here is not good.

[Skari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, about 160ish pages, I was able to get through it in a night. There were some tidbits I'll be copying into a journal for further use before I return it to the library. Overall it has some good tips but not much that I haven't heard before. But it's a good Christian perspective. The T.R.U.S.T. concept was interesting but a little clunky, I'll have to figure out how to reword it for easy reference, and there were a few interesting notes on breath work to calm anxiety and general prayer advice.

[Read-n-Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book on anxiety and how Jesus can help you break through it and from it. When I say little, I mean little, too. I should have already had it read by now, but like I said in my previous review , life got in the way and I was just unable to read during this particular time, but just because it’s little, doesn’t mean it’s not worth reading. It’s worth reading every minute you can and if you’re one who has struggles with anxiety, it will be even more worth it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read at only about 60 short pages. It seemed to be an extension of a sermon or something he may have presented to a group of people. I know it is a companion to his other book Goliath must Fall. I may have to check that one out at some point. I think that this book gave the reader practical advice based on personal experiences to help manage anxiety and depression. I cannot but God can. Cast all of your anxieties on to him and let him help lead/carry you through the darkness.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Christian who has dealt with worry and anxiety I found this book to be encouraging. Giglio uses scripture and spiritual disciplines to give those struggling tools to help ease the distress that worry and anxiety causes; not demeaning those in need of medical assistance or other treatments, but offering a mental fortitude approach to help prevent attacks. This book is meant to be read as a companion to Goliath Must Fall.

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in under half an hour - it's super short, but well worth the read. Giglio honestly and openly ties in his own battles with anxiety and how God strengthened him, and he does it in a way that doesn't feel "Get Jesus and all is well". Giants are real and scary in life, but Jesus is bigger, and Giglio shares that message beautifully.

[Jennifer Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved that it was an easy read.
I felt it would be helpful for someone suffering from anxiety.
Pointed to several verses from the bible on this specific subject which I loved and they are the verses I've memorized for my anxiety to help me through.
I appreciate it coming from someone who has suffered from it too.

[Ruth]

A friend's daughter asked me to read this so we could discuss it together. It is more a pamphlet than a book, and I'm on the fence about how helpful it will be in her situation. Honestly, there's just not much substance here. It feels more like a teaser for his other book (Goliath Must Fall), which I have not read.

[Rachel Walls · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book that is filled with encouraging scriptures to take to heart about the promises of God. The only thing that I would say is that it doesn’t address the physical/ mental illness side of anxiety. It’s a great tool for combating the spiritual side, which is equally as important as the physical/ mental illness side. I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great devotional—quick and easy read. Practical and insightful steps on ways to combat anxiety, depression and panic. Sound biblical doctrine and scripture references. Plan to follow up by reading, “Goliath Must Fall.”

[Catie Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little devotional. I appreciated that in addition to speaking Biblical truths the author also made it clear that professional help is valid and can be very important without undermining the bigness of God.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and helpful guide for Christians struggling with various forms of anxiety. The author continually points the reader to the person of Jesus, not merely some plan or procedure. I found this “relational” approach quite engaging.

[Beth Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful read that uses God’s truth to fight battles with anxiety! This book was comforting because it brought my struggles to life through words & through someone else’s story, and then they used the word of God to help shine light. SO good!!!

[Alan Rathbun · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re feeling the weight of anxiety and wondering if God cares, this book is a great place to start. God does care and Giglio shows how you can turn the corner on anxiety and find peace in God’s mercy and love in Jesus.

[Mischke Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will recommend anyone this book.
It is short but powerful. You do not feel overwhelmed when reading the book and he gives good clear practical tips that you can easily en corporate into your daily life.

[Camryn Bechtel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t realize it was religious when I started. It’s like fine yk comforting in a way for people who believe in jesus but I don’t so obvi it fell short. Really lost me when the author used a hypothetical girl for an example and she was 5’7” and 120 pounds ?

[Lisa Norato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

[Rebecca Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot of information on having anxiety and giving it to God trust Him to take care of it for you. Trusting God in all things.

[MacKenzie Drinan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a game changer for how I viewed worry and stress. I bought 10 copies to hand out to my friends, family, and middle school students.

[Beth Purtill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read and incredibly encouraging! Be a warrior not a worrier and get with others who will remind you what you conquered in the past, because you know you’ll conquer again in the future!

[Bria · Rating 3 out of 5]

A devotional with some great tools but I personally would have wanted to see greater expounding.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great devotional for anyone (myself included) who deals with anxiety. It's a short read so I highly recommend it as a starting point.

[Crystelda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry short read. Great for those that are beginning their journey with anxiety or haven’t gotten prior help. Best read a chapter at a time as a morning devotion.