Attacking Anxiety: From Panicked and Depressed to Alive and Free

by Shawn Johnson

Even in the middle of brokenness and overwhelming pain, God has a plan and a purpose for your life, and he is ready to heal you in ways you never thought possible. Join Shawn Johnson, lead pastor of Red Rocks Church, as he gives a searingly honest portrait of anxiety and depression and shows readers how to fight back and live free. Shawn Johnson was the lead pastor of a thriving, fast-growing church. He was supposed to have it all together. But he was also struggling in silence with anxiety and depression, suffering from debilitating panic attacks that told him the lie that this would never end, that he'd spend the rest of his life in excruciating pain. In Attacking Anxiety , Shawn vulnerably shares about this dark time and offers those familiar with that same struggle everything he's learned in his battles with anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. Join Shawn as Praise for Attacking Anxiety : "In our current culture where depression and anxiety are at an all-time high, Attacking Anxiety comes at just the right time. This book is the perfect resource to read if you, like me, have battled anxiousness, loss of control, or even the inability to cope. Pastor Shawn dives into how we can live a life where anxiety isn't our label or our future. He shows us that we don't have to just sit back and let it attack us, we can choose to fight back--with the weapons of God's Word--and overcome the anxiety monster once and for all and live the life God always intended for us to free." --Madison Prewitt, bestselling author of Made for This Moment

Genres: Self Help, Christian, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Religion, Personal Development, Faith

240 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2022

Reviews

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I'd had this book on my to-read for a long time, stemming from a time when I was searching for myself and finding confidence within myself. Today, I'm gratefully at a much stronger place, but when this audiobook came available through my library app, I gave it a listen anyway. I couldn't relate a lot to the extreme panic attacks that the author described, but I persisted through the book because I really enjoyed how the author spoke in a down-to-earth, compatible way as if we were sitting over a cup of coffee. I definitely feel a lot of people could find strength from this book, even if you haven't had issues on an extreme level like the author.

[Courtney French · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing. As someone who struggles so bad with chronic anxiety, this book made me feel so seen, and safe. Thankful for Gods work through Shawn to be able to help others. The book isn’t only a good story of Gods redemption in Shawn’s life, but it gives practical tools to help you right now.

[Tony Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much needed

I really needed this book. I have suffered from panic and anxiety attacks since the mid 90's, and had lost all hope of ever getting better or being okay.

[Behind The Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have battled anxiety for well over 25 years. I've been on medication coupled with therapy as well as read more books than I can count on this subject and have yet to conquer it.
Shawn Johnson's, Attacking Anxiety, just may have changed the game for me.
What sets this book aside from the many I have already read is that it speaks TRUTH, not just on Anxiety & Depression, but spiritual too.
It's a short and easy read but packed with affirmation and coping skills to fight the anxiety demon that often cripples us from living our life with joy.
I highly recommend this book to not only help overcome anxiety but to strengthen the bond between you and the Lord, who will always be there to back you off of that ledge when you feel overwhelmed with panic.
This is my first encounter with Shawn Johnson but I will be seeking out more of him. He's straightforward and holds no punches. He speaks truth.
Thank you NetGalley for approving my request.

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm tackling this book both as a reviewer and as a religious person. I will admit that there were parts of this book that I found were really helpful, but there were other parts that disagreed with me. For example, the foreword felt weird, and I have never been a fan of picking singular verses out of the Bible for application. However, I did enjoy the discussion of biblical figures that showcased anxiety or anxious moments. I think it gave some applicable ways to tackle anxiety.

[Katie D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is great for Christians with anxiety!

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #39 in 2022
3 stars

This book is, in my humble opinion, just ok.

The author has some good things to say having reasons for battling severe anxiety himself. I think that the author had crippling anxiety and talks about it is the strength of this book.

I appreciated him accenting certain truths to sufferers of anxiety like:

You are not crazy
You are not alone
This will end

I do appreciate the fact that he tells you there’s certain things that you can do to attack anxiety back, that you are not merely a passive victim.

I guess my biggest complaint is the same complaint I have with many books by popular evangelical authors, namely there’s hardly any mention of Jesus. It just feels like moralism.

Jesus does get a passing reference in a list of people in the Bible who had to deal with sorrow and anxiety, but there’s nothing about the present power of the gospel of Jesus to address that anxiety.

And for me that’s profoundly sad.

The author does highlight the fact that God is with you, God is working, and God has a plan. These would have been great places to talk about how we know that because of the gospel of Jesus.

But I kept expecting to turn the page to see him talking about the glory of Christ and how God works to bring about redemption in this world, not only from the penalty of sin, but also present redemption in the midst of anxiety and depression, but I kept being disappointed.

Reading some other reviews on this site, I am glad that people have found support and help in this book. For me, at the end of the day, I’m still looking for good resources that I can trust to pass on to people who are struggling with anxiety and depression but also highlights the power of God found in the person and work of Jesus.

1 Star = a terrible book
2 Stars = a swing and a miss
3 Stars = the book was ok
4 Stars = a really good book
5 Stars = an excellent book that I plan to reread

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am blessed to have been gifted this book by my church. I have been really struggling with crippling anxiety and depression for the past several months. This raw and honest book not only goes through pastor Shawn Johnson's personal testimony in dealing with anxiety and depression, but also gives Biblical insight in how to fight against the battle in your own life. This book is not your typical self- help book, and it doesn't give you false hope into feeling better. It gives practical and Biblical insight and exercises that pastor Shawn himself has used. It is not only encouraging, but life changing. The other thing I really loved about this book is that it's not only written for the person suffering with anxiety and depression, but for a loved one helping someone through their battle as well.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been an absolute God-send to me in a season of life where physical anxiety has never been so real. I starting crying reading the first few pages, because his opening words hit home: 1. You are not crazy. 2. You are not alone. 3. This will end. Especially as a believer who struggles with anxiety (which often goes hand in hand with depression), Shawn Johnson gets real about how to find REAL peace in ways that I’ve found true in my own life - facing lies, choosing prayer/worship, practicing gratitude. Anyone who struggles with anxiety (or has a loved one that does) needs to read this book so they can find more supernatural peace & get healthier (not healthy! - it’s a journey). Shawn Johnson’s candor and encouragement is refreshingly welcome and desperately needed.

[Morgan Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best book I’ve read on anxiety to date, and it couldn’t have come at a more needed time for me. It really impacted me and influenced me to be open, intentional and honest. I was nervous that reading about anxiety would make me more anxious but it really was affirming, helpful and impactful.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

He begins the book by sharing how he was driving on the expressway when he suffered from a panic attack. He was on the phone to his wife, Jill and they have been married for over 20 years. He had three children and he was the pastor of a large church, Red Rocks. He told his wife that he didn’t think he would be able to make it home. He was feeling very claustrophobic and his chest was tightening. His mind was going blurry and he felt like he needed to escape. He felt like this was the very end and he thought he would be forever in pain. He remembers pulling over and screaming and sobbing. His wife come with two of his friends and he told them that he quit and that he didn’t want to be a pastor anymore. They took him home and he was still shaking and he made them removed his guns from the house. He couldn’t trust himself. He needed a miracle from God. In the book, he went into details about how he was able to find freedom. He sought help from one of his pastor friends and he spend two weeks with different health professionals and then 7 weeks in counseling. He reminded readers that they aren’t crazy, alone, and that this will end. He touched on a little about how his father left town when he discovered he was going to become a dad. He never has met him. His mother had a heroin addiction and he was left on a stranger’s doorsteps with a note and a number to call. She was preparing to jump off a bridge but when she did, she survived with just a few broken bones. He shared how at 24 years old he tried to kill himself because he was struggling with depression. God was with him throughout all of these events. In the book, he will guide readers on how to deal with anxiety and what has worked for him.


I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is struggling with depression and anxiety. This book was really inspiring and contained tons of helpful suggestions. I immensely liked how he stated 20 Bible verses about who God is in every situation. These enclosed that we are loved, valued, accepted, more than a conqueror, just to name a few. These are great reminders meant to be studied. God’s word can help you get through it. I also enjoyed the discussions on weapons to use against the fight and how critical it is to use worship and prayer. I liked the topic of forgiveness and how we can heal and make the choice to forgive. I also liked the story about Brian and his wedding to Kelly and this would have been the smallest wedding he has ever officiated. At the time, he was busy playing the comparison game against other pastors and almost missed this opportunity. God used this story to change his life and readers will be shocked to hear Kelly’s story. This book is probably one of the best books I have read on the topic of anxiety and depression. The author’s story is very inspiring and will help readers in their battle.



“I received this book free from Thomas Nelson for my honest review.”

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What causes you to be anxious? It’s a deep, possibly probing, question, but I’d guess that most of us have something that causes us anxiety. ⁣
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While the author of this book describes a more debilitating type of anxiety, I think his methods could work for all kinds! ⁣
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But first, big thanks to @nelsonbooks & @tlcbooktours for this #gifted audio copy of Attacking Anxiety by @shawnjohnsonrrc. ⁣
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I really enjoyed this book! Not only was it relevant and heartbreakingly honest, it is practical and allows you to walk through steps in order to heal and face your anxiety in a healthy way. The author is raw about how debilitating his own anxiety was and really allows you to experience his story from beginning to where he is now. ⁣
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The author makes a point to say that he knows not everyone can devote the amount of time he did to going to counseling to attack his anxiety and that’s why he wrote this book. Not as a substitute, but a supplement. ⁣
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While I don’t suffer from severe anxiety like the author does, I still found his steps to be helpful and great suggestions for dealing with all kinds of things! ⁣
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I’d recommend this to those who suffer from anxiety but also to those who have friends and loved ones who suffer as well. This would be a wonderful booked up support them! ⁣
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[Sabrina]

Just like memoirs, I won’t be rating this one. There are too many personal stories in here for me to feel comfortable rating it. It’s really isn’t my place. I’ve had anxiety my whole life but it increased the moment I found out I was pregnant and my husband was stationed in Japan for 2 years with the Marines. I was anxious ALL the time. It wasn’t until recently when I started diving back into my faith that I started praying about it. Shawn mentions that worship helps and it really really does. I’m thankful I don’t have panic attacks or depression. I couldn’t really relate to that while reading this so at times I felt like this book just wasn’t for me. At the end of the day we need to leave it to God and trust that he knows the path and it will all be okay. It’s so much easier said than done but we just have to keep on trying and keep on praying 🫶

[Madison Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited when I first saw this book in the store because I love when faith and mental health get brought together. I wasn’t entirely sure what it would entail or how theologically sound it was as I knew nothing about Shawn Johnson. This book blew past anything I thought it would be. There was amazing points in this book about attacking anxiety and defeating depression that I had never heard of and absolutely loved. This book was written very well and does not add to the stigma of mental health in the church which is incredible.

[Christian Boyd Neumann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastor Johnson is real, raw & honest about his struggles. He held nothing back & I cannot respect that vulnerability more. I love at the end he has a little survival guide for someone who is having a panic attack the steps/strategies they can take to help themselves & then what their loved one/friend can do to help/support them in that situation. Will definitely be carrying the wisdom from this book from this point forward!

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, I would highly recommend it! I was able to relate to many of the points about anxiety, the feelings it causes and it's effects on a person. It was only a few months ago that I realized (with outside help) that anxiety was even a problem that I had. I didn't realize that it was the cause of my mind racing, my sleepless nights, my restlessness and more. I'm only into working through my anxiety (with help!) for a few months, but was able to transition out of a business that was a huge cause of the anxiety, which has helped. One step at a time, with the Lord's help, forward!

[Melissa Stoker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous. So many tools to be used to help with anxiety and depression for yourself or others struggling in your life. I did the audio book and really enjoyed it.

[Haley Kagay · Rating 5 out of 5]

PHENOMENAL book! I cried, I felt seen and it was written so perfectly and simply! I will recommended this to anyone who will listen!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not someone who struggles terribly with anxiety, but I was eager to get my hands on this book. The title sounded promising and I had no doubt that this would be a book I would want to press into the hands of those I come into contact with who do struggle with crippling anxiety. Having now read the book, I believe strongly that it will be a true gift to them in their journey to freedom. As Shawn says, “We’re all broken. We’re all just broken differently.” He also reminds us that “everyone is either in the middle of dealing with these things or knows someone who is.”

I knew Shawn and his wife Jill over 25 years ago as we volunteered in the same youth group in Illinois for a time. I admired them then and I believe their lives and their ministry are truly the “real deal.” This book and Shawn’s telling of his own journey is a refreshing firsthand look at both bondage and ultimately freedom.

I could definitely relate to the pressures of ministry he also described. And I think the 10% rule he discusses in chapter 9 is really true, we don’t show people ALL of our struggles and that is where we can get really stuck in feeling isolated, that 10% becomes invisible walls between us and others. “The people closest to you in life can’t fight for you if they don’t know you are in a fight.”

My thanks to Net Galley and Nelson Books for the opportunity to read this copy of Attacking Anxiety.

[Derek Griffon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love being shepherded to walk strong through anxiety. Shawn brings a fresh perspective, awesome principles, and authenticity that I’m sure will be helpful for me moving forward.

[Carly Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vulnerable and raw. I felt like I was having a 1:1 conversation with Shawn the whole read; I appreciate Shawn sharing his testimony, as that is when the healing begins. ❤️

[Inga Hein Andree · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing my to preview this title before official publication.

This book really resonated with me in ways I did not expect. The author was very forthcoming and honest about his struggles with not only depression and anxiety, but childhood trauma and past drug abuse. I very much liked how the book was set up in essentially three parts: Know, Start, and Stop.

The knowing was a bit lengthy, but after finishing the book, I realized it was very necessary. I still find myself saying, "I am not crazy. I am not alone. This will end." It is a good, quick, and easy mantra for days when I am struggling. The "Start" was the heart of the book, for me. Although I will admit that i was worried when the first and longest section was about praying. I was looking for a Christian-based self-help book, but I did not want a "you're not praying enough" because that is NOT helpful. It turned out that the praying part (while cheesy in parts) was very helpful and offered some good advice. The rest of the "start" portion was surprisingly helpful and something that I feel is the key to doing this book on your own. The "Stop" portion was a bit more difficult and I wonder if this section would be "easier" with the help of a counselor or other mental health professional. It brought up some things I was not expecting, and I have to wonder if the same would happen to others.

This book was written in a concise, straight-forward way that allows for the reader to get the maximum value. I did not feel that there were "extra" parts that could have taken away from the lessons of the book, but added to them. Th biblical portions were helpful and did not feel preachy in the slightest.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this title and feel that it left me a better person than when I started.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

If you or a loved one has experienced panic attacks, this books will give you practical tools to help them in the moment:

1. You’re not crazy
2. You’re not alone
3. This will end

But it will also help build a longer-term plan how to fight anxiety and depression in the long-run, and get healthier.

A personal favorite was worship and the following truths:

1. God is with you - even when you don’t feel it
2. God is working - even when you can’t see it
3. God has a plan - even when you don’t understand it

Note: Some of the solutions are only available to people who have the privilege of taking months-long sabbaticals, have friends who can hop on a plane to have dinner with you on a moments notice, or friends who lead a huge team of first-responders and know exactly how to help.

BUT this being said, there are lots of practical tools & practices that are available to most anyone, and so you can pick what works and is most doable for you.

I do have to say how much gratitude and appreciate I have for the author’s vulnerability and transparency, sharing his story. It can’t have been easy but the snippets from his personal experiences are powerful.

[Zakk Kennard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great way to start the year. It can be hard sometimes for a christian author to tackle hard issues like mental health and it be taken seriously, but Shawn is very honest and personable about what he experienced as a sufferer of anxiety and depression, and it was very refreshing to hear a Christian pastor be so transparent. He was still quite optimistic, but his honesty kept it balanced in a way that kept it from coming across flippant as some literature on mental health Can these days. He did a great job of making it feel serious while still keeping the hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
He presents some very helpful tips and tricks for getting through panic attacks, several of which I will be learning for me own repertoire. Not super scientific, so if you are looking to learn about these types of disorders, this might not be the book for you, but if you struggle with panic attacks or want to help someone who can, this is a great book filled with a lot of hope for what you are going through. I enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.

[Cassondra Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much gold to be found in this book!

As a Christian and long-time sufferer of anxiety and depression, I found this book to be a wonderful blessing. Pastor Shawn does an eloquent job of articulating what anxiety is, how it manifests itself in our everyday lives, and how we can combat it.

It is truly one of the best biblical approaches and resources I have found in my years of seeking help. The Lord uses Pastor Shawn as a vessel to speak His truth and spread His love. This is the perfect resource for those in need of immediate comfort and understanding, a game plan for making lasting changes, as well as insight for loved ones who don’t suffer.

I found myself taking copious notes. There is so much wisdom to be gained throughout the book. It is something I will reread over and over again.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know!

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Christian-based guide to managing anxiety and depression, as well as the author’s testimony of hitting rock bottom with his mental health struggles and coming out healthier on the other side. This faith-based book has a comprehensive approach that includes advice to enlist the help of family, friends, doctors, and counselors. It is well-organized and takes on characteristics of a speech or sermon; salient points are repeated often, and stories are generously sprinkled in as illustrations. The Bible is quoted often to support points and guide the work in managing anxiety and depression. Part of the book is a workbook of sorts; for example, there are exercises to identify past traumas, work on forgiveness and letting go, and identify triggers for anxiety and depression in your life. The appendix contains steps for what to do if you or a loved one has a panic attack. The target audience is Christians actively struggling with anxiety and depression.

[Justin Ruszkiewicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Asides from the powerful stories from the author’s personal struggles with anxiety and depression (which are highly transparent and very moving), the book really doesn’t offer much for those struggling with anxiety. It’s so watered down and simplified that I wouldn’t even call it a “beginner’s book” to this kind of subject. It’s unfortunately just unhelpful. I’d recommend other books before this one. But if you’re not struggling and are just looking for someone’s journey overcoming anxiety, then I think this book will give you that to a certain extent. But other then that, I can’t see any reason why I’d recommend this book to others. I feel so bad saying that, but for those who are truly going through heavy battles and are looking for help, I wouldn’t feel good giving you this book as a resource to help.

Rating: 3/10, two stars.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with anxiety or depression. Or anyone wanting to understand and help someone experiencing anxiety and depression.

The appendix is a panic attack survival guide. So if you are experiencing one or trying to help someone through a panic attack go there first.

I would suggest that the guide for helping others is appropriate in grief or other hardships. Be present and listen.

If you are seeking a reference for where to find help in the Bible for anxiety this book is filled with scripture reference.

The raw detailed personal experience in this book make it.
It is hard to read(painful and tragic) but will bring your understanding of the subject full circle.

[Belva W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Shawn Johnson, describes his own personal battles with depression and anxiety and his faith-based approach to conquering them. Repeating the mantras: You are not crazy, you are not alone, and this will end is the central idea in his approach to helping someone deal with these mental issues. He also suggests worship, prayer and surrounding yourself or loved one with supporting family and friends as helpful along with traditional treatments such as counseling and medication if warranted. I feel this book could provide good insight for someone dealing with anxiety and depression. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

[Mikayla Dominguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Audible. There is something special about listening to a book that is read by the author. It’s like listening to a podcast, but you are actually reading a book!
The vulnerability in the book is refreshing.
I love the tools that Pastor Shawn talks about throughout this book.
I started this book while in an unhealthy mental place. This book was the kickstart I needed to learn how to fight.
I loved how he talks not only leaning on God’s word, but also knows & talks about the importance of getting professional help in therapy!