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Anxiety: Knowing God's Peace
Whether you experience nagging worry or debilitating panic, God’s Word offers hope and help. In this 31-day devotional, pastor and biblical counselor Paul Tautges delves deeply, but gently, into the heart of fear and unbelief, using daily readings, reflection questions, and practical application to fuel the faith that strengthens inner security and peace.
In the 31-Day Devotionals for Life series, biblical counselors and Bible teachers guide you through Scripture passages that speak to specific situations or struggles, helping you to apply God’s Word to your life in practical ways day after day.
In the 31-Day Devotionals for Life series, biblical counselors and Bible teachers guide you through Scripture passages that speak to specific situations or struggles, helping you to apply God’s Word to your life in practical ways day after day.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2019
107 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Paul Tautges
69 books58 followersPaul Tautges has been in gospel ministry for over 30 years and serves as one of the pastors of Cornerstone Community Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He has written or edited over 60 books, including A Small Book for the Hurting Heart, Anxiety: Knowing God’s Peace, Counseling One Another, and When Disability Hits Home. Paul has been married to Karen since 1986 and, together, they enjoy their ten children, sons- and daughters-in-law, and a growing tribe of grandchildren. He also serves as editor for the popular LifeLine mini-book series from Shepherd Press, and blogs regularly at www.counselingoneanother.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 27, 2023
Would highly recommend this to anyone struggling with anxiety. I read through this in one of my counseling cases, and everyone I have talked to have benefited greatly from it. Although, by God's grace, anxiety is not a constant struggle for me, it still rears its ugly head occasionally. This devotional has well equipped to fight any kind of fear and anxiety.
The great questions at the end of each devotional is a huge plus!
The great questions at the end of each devotional is a huge plus!
November 18, 2022
This book is a great daily help to keep our focus on God and not on our circumstances. 👍👍👍
October 1, 2019
My friend Paul knows anxiety.
He has lived with crippling anxiety that has at times been debilitating.
Paul also knows Jesus and has met Him in the midst of his anxiousness.
In his new devotional book (just released today!), Paul leads readers on a 31 day journey through (not around) anxiety into peace. His short daily readings are carefully written, encouraging yet realistic, and saturated with Scripture.
Paul offers no silver bullets (rats!) but also no false assurances that will leave readers disappointed. Instead, he gently points anxious people to the Person and promises of God.
I was encouraged to see how much attention Paul gave to the bodily dimension of anxiety. He recognizes the complex interplay between body and spirit, and while focusing on the soul does not discount the physical. He is open to the judicious use of medicine.
The point of the book is to know peace through knowing Christ, and that comes through on every page. It will reward reading and re-reading. Paul Tautges can be a faithful companion on this journey as he has walked the path himself. Recommended.
He has lived with crippling anxiety that has at times been debilitating.
Paul also knows Jesus and has met Him in the midst of his anxiousness.
In his new devotional book (just released today!), Paul leads readers on a 31 day journey through (not around) anxiety into peace. His short daily readings are carefully written, encouraging yet realistic, and saturated with Scripture.
Paul offers no silver bullets (rats!) but also no false assurances that will leave readers disappointed. Instead, he gently points anxious people to the Person and promises of God.
I was encouraged to see how much attention Paul gave to the bodily dimension of anxiety. He recognizes the complex interplay between body and spirit, and while focusing on the soul does not discount the physical. He is open to the judicious use of medicine.
The point of the book is to know peace through knowing Christ, and that comes through on every page. It will reward reading and re-reading. Paul Tautges can be a faithful companion on this journey as he has walked the path himself. Recommended.
May 1, 2022
EXCELLENT devotional. I recommend for anyone dealing with worry, anxiety, or fear. I’ve already given it out to one other person and made another friend buy it. Highly recommend personally, or for giving it out as a good resource for discipleship or counseling.
September 14, 2023
I appreciated the selection of verses in this devotional. It covered a span of different things we can become anxious about and ways we try to cope with that anxiety. There is definitely wisdom and comfort to be found here.
That being said, I did think the entries could be a little too harsh at times. It's true that anxiety can sometimes, maybe even most of the time, be a combination of suffering and our own sin (not trusting God, idolizing what we're anxious about, etc.). But the way I see Jesus, Peter, the psalmists, and others addressing it in Scripture is full of grace and gentleness. The author was definitely not harmful at all in the way he discussed anxiety, but I would have gone with a more tender tone/word choice at times. I do also think that there could have been more gospel and more Jesus in the entries — including times when he experienced something akin to anxiety (for example, sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane).
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
That being said, I did think the entries could be a little too harsh at times. It's true that anxiety can sometimes, maybe even most of the time, be a combination of suffering and our own sin (not trusting God, idolizing what we're anxious about, etc.). But the way I see Jesus, Peter, the psalmists, and others addressing it in Scripture is full of grace and gentleness. The author was definitely not harmful at all in the way he discussed anxiety, but I would have gone with a more tender tone/word choice at times. I do also think that there could have been more gospel and more Jesus in the entries — including times when he experienced something akin to anxiety (for example, sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane).
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
October 10, 2023
This is a rich book, and I think useful even if you don’t struggle with intense anxiety. I think this needs to go in the list of books I read on a regular basis.
November 20, 2025
So good, I worked through it twice. Perfect for anytime but especially if you are going through a trial period in your life.
February 5, 2021
I’d recommend reading it all in one go, if possible, and then going back to what seemed helpful, as opposed to using it as a 31 day devotional. At the very least maybe read the first section “definition anxiety” all at once and then move on from there.
August 10, 2021
Paul Tautges' 31-day devotional on anxiety is chalked full of excellent insight into key biblical passages that help us in the fight of faith against anxiety. Paul never loses sight of the gospel or the authority and sufficiently of Scripture, and yet has given us a balanced, comprehensive look at anxiety. His own personal journey in fighting anxiety as a pastor is a breath of fresh air and underscores the importance and the ubiquitous nature of the human struggle with anxiety, fear, and worry. If you struggle with anxiety, this book is for you! If you don't think you struggle with anxiety (and you do!), this book is for you!
With the limitations of this kind of a format, I think Paul has said more about dealing with anxiety as a Christian (but he also addresses the unbeliever too!), then most full book-length treatments. Each chapter is like a short burst of gospel peace and encouragement as we navigate the waters of living as fallen people in a fallen world. Paul takes serious Jesus words, "Do not be anxious about your life"!
I highly recommend this book!
With the limitations of this kind of a format, I think Paul has said more about dealing with anxiety as a Christian (but he also addresses the unbeliever too!), then most full book-length treatments. Each chapter is like a short burst of gospel peace and encouragement as we navigate the waters of living as fallen people in a fallen world. Paul takes serious Jesus words, "Do not be anxious about your life"!
I highly recommend this book!
February 16, 2020
A great tool to help with anxiety. Practical and yet so deep in Scripture.
August 18, 2020
Recommended by pastor Alistair Begg, who, himself has admitted in one of his sermons to having a panic attack. This is a difficult book to rate. Is it enjoyable? Well, maybe pieces of it, but it's not an enjoyable topic. Something doesn't have to be enjoyable in order to be well-done and informative, though. Is it something I'd recommend? Yes. Is it something I'd re-read? Hmm. I don't know. I'm thinking not, but I suppose there could come a time when I'd want to.
A friend of mine saw I was reading it, and ordered a copy, only to get mad at it, because the "Tips for Reading This Devotional" (not even by this author) made it sound like, to her, that anxiety is a spiritual problem and not a medical or biological one. But in the next section was "A Brief Word on Medication," where Paul Tautges talked about some people being helped by medication and some weren't. So, I didn't take this book as an either/or approach to medication or devotions, but thought they could supplement each other.
"Bob, another counselor and minister of the gospel, was meaningfully helped by medicine. In his story, he says, 'The medicine helped stabilize me so that I could think rationally and apply Biblical principles to my situation.'" Tautges also said, "respecting medical counsel is wise," and he ended the section by saying, "Any decision you make concerning the use or nonuse of medication must be well-informed, humbly bathed in prayer and clothed in counsel, and under the guidance and supervision of your personal physician."
I can understand my friend's frustration, however, because one line, NOT by the author, Paul Tautges, but by Deepak Reju, in the "Tips for Reading This Devotional" said, "Fundamentally any struggle with anxiety is a worship problem." I wouldn't toss a book because of something the author didn't even say. Paul Tautges, himself, said, in his introduction that his goal was simply to "bring you healing words by coming alongside you as an encouraging friend." He didn't make any disparaging comments about causes, etc. [IS anxiety always a worship problem? Or might it sometimes have a biological component, too? Can someone worship and still feel anxious?]
What is my own view of this? Our bodies, minds, and souls function together, intertwined. If anxiety has biological, mental, and spiritual aspects, then let's consider all three. If hormones and chemicals are out of balance, then remedy those. If thought-processes are contributing, then re-phrase, re-frame, or redirect those. And if an inability to worship - to see the vast worth of God - contributes, then let's consider God and His word. There's no harm in trying all three together as an approach to healing.
Also in the introduction, Paul Tautges mentioned the importance of "pressing through" the first section on defining anxiety, before sections on turning to God with it, and fighting it. I had thought he'd said or implied - but now I can't find it - that the first section, focusing on anxiety itself rather than things that help, would be harder to go through, but necessary and even that we might feel worse during that part, but to keep with it. I think that might be true. But there are actually comforting promises in that first section, too, if we have eyes to see them.
Because I was feeling contrary, I felt the need to argue with that first section a little. It did seem to go through "lesser" reasons for anxiety: idolatry, discontent, envy, covetousness, perfectionism, etc. But sometimes I think there are valid reasons for negative emotions that have nothing to do with those heart issues, and I came up with my own Biblical list where distress and grief were considered good things, or at least an appropriate response to the situation: 2 Cor. 7:10, 2 Peter 2:7b-9, Ezekiel 9:4,6, Isaiah 22:4, Ezekiel 21:6-7a, Rev. 10:9. These include anxiety or mourning for such things as sin, both personal sin, and the community or societal sins around us, deaths, God's coming judgment, and even difficult parts of scripture.
I think, though, our society is quick to view any negative emotion as "bad," and try to eliminate it, instead of realizing that sometimes, they are appropriate, especially where the effects of what we're facing is not something earthly and temporary, but eternal. Those are worth being concerned over.
To be honest, though, I'm not sure that including a section on valid, strong negative emotions would be beneficial to readers already feeling anxious. It might give them more things to be anxious about! But my point is that all sources of anxiety are not so superficial as "perfectionism," for example.
I thought of that 2 Peter 2:7b-9 passage before, some years ago, when my sister faced some difficult things at her workplace, where she was being pressured to lie and to admit fault for something she did not do and even had evidence and proof she did not do it, which those over her ignored and forced her confession for political reasons. She refused and eventually ended up quitting. I thought that the reason it cut her so deeply was precisely because she is a woman of integrity. It was very hard on her, but the fault was not in her own heart, but in the pressures around her. Sometimes we do face huge life issues through no fault of our own, and those can make us feel anxious. Now, it's still probably a fair statement to say that in those moments, we may not be focusing on God or considering His authority, power, goodness, mercy, and love - and that considering those helps us cope in the short term, and gives us hope for the long haul.
"The stubborn root of anxiety is a fundamental distrust in God's sovereignty, love, and goodness to us." This is important to remember in our own lives, but sometimes even when we know that God will work something for good, we can still be afraid, knowing it will hurt in the meantime.
Also, other times, our concerns are not for ourselves, but for others who are not choosing God's goodness, and would have to face the painful consequences of their actions and decisions in their own lives. That would go under the Biblical category of mourning for sin in my list of valid reasons to mourn. In fact, most of this book seemed to be about anxieties that people feel for themselves, rather than for others. But Deepak Reju did say in his "Tips..." section that the book wasn't meant to be a comprehensive guide.
When we are the ones who have sinned, it is easy for us to turn to Jesus and claim the promise that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9. But that is something that we can't do on behalf of another ...
Here's a helpful article by a different author on four types of anxiety, with four different causes, such as appropriate responses, medical issues, and what might be termed "worship problems," as Deepak Reju did in the "Tips for Reading this Book" section.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/ar...
Or this about negative emotions being natural responses to stress:
http://www.bettermentalhealth.net/blo...
I determined to do all the "Reflect" and "Act" sections of "Anxiety: Knowing God's Peace," no matter how silly or simple or time-consuming, in order to get the full benefit of the book, and actually, I think they were among the most helpful parts.
Mostly, I loved the scriptures involved, even ones I was familiar with, and that I'd already studied recently.
And Paul Tautges did have some good thoughts, too, as one who has suffered himself.
I loved the section on Jesus being the Good Shepherd, and it reminded me of Phillip Keller's book "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23," which I'd also recommend to those who are struggling.
I also loved the reminder that God will satisfy our souls and renew our strength. (Psalm 103:5)
And I loved the verse, Psalm 116:7 that Tautges mentioned in the conclusion. The week before I'd read this conclusion, I'd mentioned the verse to my Sunday school class. They were asking for celebratory verses for after God's seen you through a crisis. I told them that my favorite one was "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." I liked it because it reminded me to calm down - "Return to your rest" - because it sometimes takes me awhile to calm down after a crisis. And it does clarify exactly what happened to get us through the crisis, "for the Lord has been good to you." And now, I am learning to say that while we are not yet through this crisis, because, honestly, the Lord is STILL good to me.
Favorite Quotes:
"God graciously orchestrates suffering to strip His children of self-reliance - of the pride that feeds so many of our sins and hinders our usefulness."
"Our neediness means that 'the life of Jesus may also be manifested' through us." about 2 Cor 4:7-10
"Have you not respected your limitations?"
"Heavenly Father, thank you that I am made in weakness ... Help me to walk in dependence on Jesus so that He is made more visible through my life."
"Covetousness is a grave sin that leads to other shades of unbelief (not-so-obvious displays of our lack of trust in God)"
"The antidote to anxiety is security in the Savior."
"When we are anxious, we fear that God is lacking. But God is not deficient in any virtue. Nor is He ever unfaithful."
"We bring our needs to God - not because He is unaware but because we need to acknowledge our dependence on Him."
"Thanksgiving is a key to gaining victory over our anxiety, since it deliberately shifts our heart's eye from our current worries to the mighty works of God."
"The purpose of humility is to help us to exchange self-exaltation with trust in God. Anxiety is often related to our desire for control, which is connected to thinking too highly of ourselves."
"Basically, humility entails having an accurate view of yourself so that you can honestly evaluate yourself from a biblical standpoint. This helps you fight anxiety, because you see that only God is strong and capable enough to be relied on."
"Trusting God is not psyching ourselves up to believe the impossible. It involves resting on God's character. The only proper object of trust is God Himself."
On the verse "Be still and know that I am God..." - Psalm 46:10, Tautges wroge "'Be still' may also be translated 'Cease striving' (NASB). The Hebrew word that is translated 'cease' means to sink or relax."
"When we feel that our lives are in an upheaval, we can experience God's peace by remembering His powerful deeds."
"Stop worrying! I will have the victory. Stop acting as if this is your battle. Relax. Rest in me. Not only a I the God of the universe, but I am your God. I will be your peace."
"Your worries lure you away from God, while praise shifts 'all that is within' you (Ps 103 v.1) to the Lord."
"If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me." - Robert Murray M'Cheyne
"To enjoy peace, our unbelieving thoughts must be stilled, and we must learn that the Lord reigns." Charles Spurgeon
A friend of mine saw I was reading it, and ordered a copy, only to get mad at it, because the "Tips for Reading This Devotional" (not even by this author) made it sound like, to her, that anxiety is a spiritual problem and not a medical or biological one. But in the next section was "A Brief Word on Medication," where Paul Tautges talked about some people being helped by medication and some weren't. So, I didn't take this book as an either/or approach to medication or devotions, but thought they could supplement each other.
"Bob, another counselor and minister of the gospel, was meaningfully helped by medicine. In his story, he says, 'The medicine helped stabilize me so that I could think rationally and apply Biblical principles to my situation.'" Tautges also said, "respecting medical counsel is wise," and he ended the section by saying, "Any decision you make concerning the use or nonuse of medication must be well-informed, humbly bathed in prayer and clothed in counsel, and under the guidance and supervision of your personal physician."
I can understand my friend's frustration, however, because one line, NOT by the author, Paul Tautges, but by Deepak Reju, in the "Tips for Reading This Devotional" said, "Fundamentally any struggle with anxiety is a worship problem." I wouldn't toss a book because of something the author didn't even say. Paul Tautges, himself, said, in his introduction that his goal was simply to "bring you healing words by coming alongside you as an encouraging friend." He didn't make any disparaging comments about causes, etc. [IS anxiety always a worship problem? Or might it sometimes have a biological component, too? Can someone worship and still feel anxious?]
What is my own view of this? Our bodies, minds, and souls function together, intertwined. If anxiety has biological, mental, and spiritual aspects, then let's consider all three. If hormones and chemicals are out of balance, then remedy those. If thought-processes are contributing, then re-phrase, re-frame, or redirect those. And if an inability to worship - to see the vast worth of God - contributes, then let's consider God and His word. There's no harm in trying all three together as an approach to healing.
Also in the introduction, Paul Tautges mentioned the importance of "pressing through" the first section on defining anxiety, before sections on turning to God with it, and fighting it. I had thought he'd said or implied - but now I can't find it - that the first section, focusing on anxiety itself rather than things that help, would be harder to go through, but necessary and even that we might feel worse during that part, but to keep with it. I think that might be true. But there are actually comforting promises in that first section, too, if we have eyes to see them.
Because I was feeling contrary, I felt the need to argue with that first section a little. It did seem to go through "lesser" reasons for anxiety: idolatry, discontent, envy, covetousness, perfectionism, etc. But sometimes I think there are valid reasons for negative emotions that have nothing to do with those heart issues, and I came up with my own Biblical list where distress and grief were considered good things, or at least an appropriate response to the situation: 2 Cor. 7:10, 2 Peter 2:7b-9, Ezekiel 9:4,6, Isaiah 22:4, Ezekiel 21:6-7a, Rev. 10:9. These include anxiety or mourning for such things as sin, both personal sin, and the community or societal sins around us, deaths, God's coming judgment, and even difficult parts of scripture.
I think, though, our society is quick to view any negative emotion as "bad," and try to eliminate it, instead of realizing that sometimes, they are appropriate, especially where the effects of what we're facing is not something earthly and temporary, but eternal. Those are worth being concerned over.
To be honest, though, I'm not sure that including a section on valid, strong negative emotions would be beneficial to readers already feeling anxious. It might give them more things to be anxious about! But my point is that all sources of anxiety are not so superficial as "perfectionism," for example.
I thought of that 2 Peter 2:7b-9 passage before, some years ago, when my sister faced some difficult things at her workplace, where she was being pressured to lie and to admit fault for something she did not do and even had evidence and proof she did not do it, which those over her ignored and forced her confession for political reasons. She refused and eventually ended up quitting. I thought that the reason it cut her so deeply was precisely because she is a woman of integrity. It was very hard on her, but the fault was not in her own heart, but in the pressures around her. Sometimes we do face huge life issues through no fault of our own, and those can make us feel anxious. Now, it's still probably a fair statement to say that in those moments, we may not be focusing on God or considering His authority, power, goodness, mercy, and love - and that considering those helps us cope in the short term, and gives us hope for the long haul.
"The stubborn root of anxiety is a fundamental distrust in God's sovereignty, love, and goodness to us." This is important to remember in our own lives, but sometimes even when we know that God will work something for good, we can still be afraid, knowing it will hurt in the meantime.
Also, other times, our concerns are not for ourselves, but for others who are not choosing God's goodness, and would have to face the painful consequences of their actions and decisions in their own lives. That would go under the Biblical category of mourning for sin in my list of valid reasons to mourn. In fact, most of this book seemed to be about anxieties that people feel for themselves, rather than for others. But Deepak Reju did say in his "Tips..." section that the book wasn't meant to be a comprehensive guide.
When we are the ones who have sinned, it is easy for us to turn to Jesus and claim the promise that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9. But that is something that we can't do on behalf of another ...
Here's a helpful article by a different author on four types of anxiety, with four different causes, such as appropriate responses, medical issues, and what might be termed "worship problems," as Deepak Reju did in the "Tips for Reading this Book" section.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/ar...
Or this about negative emotions being natural responses to stress:
http://www.bettermentalhealth.net/blo...
I determined to do all the "Reflect" and "Act" sections of "Anxiety: Knowing God's Peace," no matter how silly or simple or time-consuming, in order to get the full benefit of the book, and actually, I think they were among the most helpful parts.
Mostly, I loved the scriptures involved, even ones I was familiar with, and that I'd already studied recently.
And Paul Tautges did have some good thoughts, too, as one who has suffered himself.
I loved the section on Jesus being the Good Shepherd, and it reminded me of Phillip Keller's book "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23," which I'd also recommend to those who are struggling.
I also loved the reminder that God will satisfy our souls and renew our strength. (Psalm 103:5)
And I loved the verse, Psalm 116:7 that Tautges mentioned in the conclusion. The week before I'd read this conclusion, I'd mentioned the verse to my Sunday school class. They were asking for celebratory verses for after God's seen you through a crisis. I told them that my favorite one was "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." I liked it because it reminded me to calm down - "Return to your rest" - because it sometimes takes me awhile to calm down after a crisis. And it does clarify exactly what happened to get us through the crisis, "for the Lord has been good to you." And now, I am learning to say that while we are not yet through this crisis, because, honestly, the Lord is STILL good to me.
Favorite Quotes:
"God graciously orchestrates suffering to strip His children of self-reliance - of the pride that feeds so many of our sins and hinders our usefulness."
"Our neediness means that 'the life of Jesus may also be manifested' through us." about 2 Cor 4:7-10
"Have you not respected your limitations?"
"Heavenly Father, thank you that I am made in weakness ... Help me to walk in dependence on Jesus so that He is made more visible through my life."
"Covetousness is a grave sin that leads to other shades of unbelief (not-so-obvious displays of our lack of trust in God)"
"The antidote to anxiety is security in the Savior."
"When we are anxious, we fear that God is lacking. But God is not deficient in any virtue. Nor is He ever unfaithful."
"We bring our needs to God - not because He is unaware but because we need to acknowledge our dependence on Him."
"Thanksgiving is a key to gaining victory over our anxiety, since it deliberately shifts our heart's eye from our current worries to the mighty works of God."
"The purpose of humility is to help us to exchange self-exaltation with trust in God. Anxiety is often related to our desire for control, which is connected to thinking too highly of ourselves."
"Basically, humility entails having an accurate view of yourself so that you can honestly evaluate yourself from a biblical standpoint. This helps you fight anxiety, because you see that only God is strong and capable enough to be relied on."
"Trusting God is not psyching ourselves up to believe the impossible. It involves resting on God's character. The only proper object of trust is God Himself."
On the verse "Be still and know that I am God..." - Psalm 46:10, Tautges wroge "'Be still' may also be translated 'Cease striving' (NASB). The Hebrew word that is translated 'cease' means to sink or relax."
"When we feel that our lives are in an upheaval, we can experience God's peace by remembering His powerful deeds."
"Stop worrying! I will have the victory. Stop acting as if this is your battle. Relax. Rest in me. Not only a I the God of the universe, but I am your God. I will be your peace."
"Your worries lure you away from God, while praise shifts 'all that is within' you (Ps 103 v.1) to the Lord."
"If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me." - Robert Murray M'Cheyne
"To enjoy peace, our unbelieving thoughts must be stilled, and we must learn that the Lord reigns." Charles Spurgeon
August 31, 2025
I'm normally not a devotional person. I do have a few favorites, but lately, I've been rediscovering their benefit in my daily routine. Sometimes the risk is that you eat your dessert (or appetizer?) and skip the dinner. There's nothing wrong with a devotional if it truly brings you to devotion and, if anything, creates a hunger in you for something more. I think that's why I really appreciated this devotional—so much so that I grabbed a few more from this series, which I'll be sharing over the next few months.
If you've read any of my reviews (or blogs), you know I don’t hide my battle with anxiety (which can morph into many forms). Perhaps that's why I keep reaching for books in this category. After Paul Tautges came to speak at our church’s young adult conference, I was inspired to look up some of his books, and I came across this one.
Paul is no stranger to anxiety—in fact, to debilitating anxiety. While I don’t think anyone needs to have experienced this to speak God’s truth into the subject, it certainly gives the reader more pause and reflection on his perspectives, thoughts, and suggestions. The format of this devotional is fantastic, and if you decide to embark on this journey, as the editor mentions, take your time. Don’t read it like a quick book (as I wanted to do). Don’t skip the reflection questions and “homework” at the end (as I wanted to do). And—also like I plan to do—consider re-reading it as seasons in life call for it.
Paul lays out a wide net for the types of anxiety, their effects, and ultimately their various paths toward Christ. At times, I read thinking a certain “facet” of anxiety was for someone else, only to find my own reflection staring back at me—more than once.
Ultimately, you’re not going to escape (nor should you expect to) biblical meditation. Too often we take God’s Word for granted—glancing at it—while gazing and meditating on our anxieties. That needs to change, and I think Paul does a great job helping with that.
I plan to keep this book handy throughout this next month as I take a second pass over my notes, highlights, and gleanings—to continue equipping myself for what will likely be a lifelong battle. Until one day—either when Christ returns or I go Home—the freedom will be blissfully permanent.
If you've read any of my reviews (or blogs), you know I don’t hide my battle with anxiety (which can morph into many forms). Perhaps that's why I keep reaching for books in this category. After Paul Tautges came to speak at our church’s young adult conference, I was inspired to look up some of his books, and I came across this one.
Paul is no stranger to anxiety—in fact, to debilitating anxiety. While I don’t think anyone needs to have experienced this to speak God’s truth into the subject, it certainly gives the reader more pause and reflection on his perspectives, thoughts, and suggestions. The format of this devotional is fantastic, and if you decide to embark on this journey, as the editor mentions, take your time. Don’t read it like a quick book (as I wanted to do). Don’t skip the reflection questions and “homework” at the end (as I wanted to do). And—also like I plan to do—consider re-reading it as seasons in life call for it.
Paul lays out a wide net for the types of anxiety, their effects, and ultimately their various paths toward Christ. At times, I read thinking a certain “facet” of anxiety was for someone else, only to find my own reflection staring back at me—more than once.
Ultimately, you’re not going to escape (nor should you expect to) biblical meditation. Too often we take God’s Word for granted—glancing at it—while gazing and meditating on our anxieties. That needs to change, and I think Paul does a great job helping with that.
I plan to keep this book handy throughout this next month as I take a second pass over my notes, highlights, and gleanings—to continue equipping myself for what will likely be a lifelong battle. Until one day—either when Christ returns or I go Home—the freedom will be blissfully permanent.
September 3, 2023
Very helpful and practical wisdom with lots of Biblical encouragement! I will read it again.
July 29, 2025
“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” - Robert Murray M’Cheyne
September 4, 2021
Such a helpful and concise 31-day devotional. I found it helpful to work through the days and suggested “action” sections at my own pace and devote time to meditating and journaling the Scripture passages. Highly recommended if you’re looking for specific help regarding the peace of God for your anxious heart. Will definitely read again.
November 29, 2021
Some of it was pretty basic, but I liked the short daily chapters and he had great use of scripture. Definitely something you could read several times and get more out of. The things yo do at the end of each day were really helpful
March 21, 2022
Such a wonderful devotional… VERY solid! It was a huge help to me during the last month of my pregnancy while on bedrest and the first few weeks postpartum. Highly recommend this book and any other devotional from the series!!
January 22, 2020
Good daily devotional for those struggling with anxiety. Covers reasons that cause our anxiety and the Biblical response. Great as homework in Biblical counseling.
April 27, 2021
still need to do the journaling parts. Only had time to do one journaling part. Loved it. So much to chew on
October 16, 2021
Overall a great resource to recommend. Not my first choice, but still very helpful.
July 13, 2022
A wonderful book on Anxiety. Practical ways to take eyes off yourself as instead look to God for peace and rest no matter the circumstances.
May 31, 2023
Great thoughts on how to Biblically face anxiety.
January 20, 2025
"Pride is the reverse of Christlikeness. Trust in self and its frequent companion, anxiety, oppose trust in God."
"The stubborn root of anxiety is a fundamental distrust in God's sovereignty, love, and goodness to us as though Christ doesn't matter anymore."
"Fight fear with a greater fear-the fear of God."
The author treats anxiety as if it is a sin, something unbecoming of a true Christian.
As a Christian dealing with anxiety and depression I personally find it to be rather unhealthy to view a psycho-physiological condition as a spiritual immaturity or failing.
A person born with a physical disability for instance is not in that condition as a consequence of their own pride or sin, and faith would not be the only treatment.
"The stubborn root of anxiety is a fundamental distrust in God's sovereignty, love, and goodness to us as though Christ doesn't matter anymore."
"Fight fear with a greater fear-the fear of God."
The author treats anxiety as if it is a sin, something unbecoming of a true Christian.
As a Christian dealing with anxiety and depression I personally find it to be rather unhealthy to view a psycho-physiological condition as a spiritual immaturity or failing.
A person born with a physical disability for instance is not in that condition as a consequence of their own pride or sin, and faith would not be the only treatment.
January 6, 2025
My husband & I read this together whenever we had time, so it took us longer than 1 month, but I thought each day’s devotional was a good length — not too long & not too short. We felt like this book was Biblically accurate. I appreciated the reflections which helped to intentionally think about what I’d read in relation to my own life. Overall I don’t know how much it’s helped with my anxiety, but I will keep it on our bookshelf and read it again in the future.
February 20, 2025
The best book on Anxiety I have read. Tautges bases each day on a Scripture that directly addresses Anxiety.
The main conclusion I came to is that fighting Anxiety is a battle. The greatest tools to fight are Biblical meditation and prayer. We must take personal ownership of our anxiety, it will college passively.
This book also brought to my attention how so many of my struggles directly relate to anxious thoughts.
The main conclusion I came to is that fighting Anxiety is a battle. The greatest tools to fight are Biblical meditation and prayer. We must take personal ownership of our anxiety, it will college passively.
This book also brought to my attention how so many of my struggles directly relate to anxious thoughts.
September 4, 2020
What a great book for this time or any time!!! I have enjoyed going through the thoughts Paul Tautges expressed with members of our local Church. It was a time of encouragement and rejoicing. I received this book through Truth for Life and am very thankful for this ministry!
July 30, 2025
Excellent book to help keep our focus on and trust in God no matter what is going on in our lives. There are devotionals for 31 days. Each is concise, with optional activities at the end, such as writing in a journal, reading passages, prayers, etc.
August 12, 2025
This devotional was the perfect amount of conviction, comfort, and equipment into how to deal with the sadness of anxiety. Two pages every day for a month helped me to deal with the root of anxiety and how to weed it out of my life! I totally recommend this devotional!!
June 26, 2020
Better than I expected. This will be a nightly read for the foreseeable future.
August 10, 2020
An incredibly helpful book. Full of Scriptural truth, not platitudes, and empathizes with the reader. Highly recommended.
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