The Answer to Anxiety: How to Break Free from the Tyranny of Anxious Thoughts and Worry

by Joyce Meyer

Renowned Bible teacher and #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer teaches readers how to overcome anxiety by giving their worries to God. We all feel anxious, worried, or concerned at times; these feelings are common responses to stressful situations. But what if there was a way to put a stop to your worrying before it steals your peace of mind?
 
In The Answer to Anxiety , renowned Bible teacher and #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer reveals truth from God’s Word that shows us how to focus on God when we’re feeling anxious or unsettled. She also teaches readers practical steps based on Scripture that we can take when we need to face our fears and resolve all of our anxieties. 
 
God doesn’t want you to live with worry and anxiety. And when you understand that He has a good plan for you, you can experience the life-changing peace He offers. Join Joyce on this journey to overcome anxiety and discover how you can have a God-centered, peace-filled life you enjoy every day.
 

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Living, Audiobook, Spirituality, Christianity

160 pages, Hardcover

Published February 7, 2023

About the author

Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, Joyce’s books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, Joyce teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on how the Word of God applies to our everyday lives. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives.

Joyce’s programs, Enjoying Everyday Life and Everyday Answers with Joyce Meyer, can be seen around the world through television, radio, and the Internet. Joyce has authored more than 100 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages and over 65 million of her books have been distributed worldwide. She teaches in cities across America as well as internationally. Joyce Meyer Ministries has offices in nine countries.

Joyce’s passion to help hurting people is foundational to the vision of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Hand of Hope provides worldwide humanitarian outreaches such as feeding programs, medical care, orphanages, disaster response, human trafficking intervention and rehabilitation, and much more – always sharing the love and Gospel of Christ.

Her latest book, LIVING A LIFE YOU LOVE, releases Spring 2018.

Hachette Book Group has sold over 30 million copies of Joyce Meyer's books.

Reviews

[Blue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty much to summing this book up:
Don't have anxiety God loves you


.... Nothing actually useful and way too much religion!!!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of Joyce Meyer's books over the years, and one of the reasons I am drawn to her's is because she freely writes about her own personal experiences, giving her books an intimacy that is lacking in others.

Her newest book, The Answer to Anxiety, is another book carefully written by Joyce partially because she was searching for answers to help in her own life. I especially appreciated her thoughts on being grateful no matter what the circumstances are in our lives. I have to admit—that's a hard thing for me to do!!! Her explanation goes a long way towards bringing me to a place where I am more comfortable with that idea.

This is another 5 star book in my opinion.

[Sunshine Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Answer to Anxiety" is a very quick and easy ready! Joyce Meyer explains the keys to overcoming anxiety, how to attain the peace that passes understanding and to understand the miracle and comfort of Prayer. Meyer repeats four distinct ways we can respond to life's problems: 1. We are not to be anxious 2. We are to pray. 3. We are to be thankful 4. We are to enjoy peace. Meyer's keys to overcoming anxiety are: 1. remember past victories 2. fight the good fight of faith 3. believe that God is in control 4. trust God 5. choose to believe how much God loves you. Joyce Meyer talks about the topic on forgiveness and how heartfelt, consistent prayer is so important to attain freedom. Meyer also talks about the value of being grateful with a heart of thanksgiving. She warns the reader of things or people that can steal your peace and also to cast down imaginations (the awful scenarios we think) as a way to defeat any emotional and mental strongholds. Meyer also talks about taking the pressure off of ourselves to be perfect and to stop comparing ourselves with others. She explains the reasons why some people are not at peace with themselves. I definitely recommend this book! The message is encouraging and inspiring!

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy Christian living books infused with personal stories and the feel of a devotional, The Answer to Anxiety, by Joyce Meyer, is a wonderful choice.

Whether you suffer from anxiety or not, this book is a helpful tool in navigating worrisome or troubling thoughts in daily life. I love how Joyce Meyer uses personal examples as she reveals the Scripture-based steps we can take to attend to our own anxious thoughts.

I especially gained from the section that encourages readers to have a discipline of gratitude, and how the act of being grateful will produce a “harvest of righteousness and peace.” In this section, I’m reminded to be grateful not only when times are good, but when I’m experiencing trying times as well.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

First Line: God allots each of us a certain amount of time to live on earth, and we either wasted it or use it wisely.
Genre: Christian Personal Growth
Author: Joyce Meyer
Page Count: 160

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% mine.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many of Meyer's books, and they never fail to encourage me. This was no exception.

This book is a useful tool, even for those who don't struggle with anxiety on a regular basis. Meyer uses personal examples that will likely resonate with readers. Numerous Bible verses are referenced to go along with her experiences. Meyer also points out how the Bible can work in conjunction with therapy and, if needed, medication. Practical suggestions are given throughout to help the reader deal with anxiety, and they are all linked to the Word, such as showing how anxiety is rooted in fear.

She points out these four keys for readers to remember:
1. Remember past victories.
2. Fight the good fight of faith.
3. Believe that God is in control.
4. Trust God.


Some of my favorite quotes:
- "Every day you spend worrying is a day you waste and one you will never get back."
- "Anxiety is spending today dreading tomorrow."
- "Pray immediately when you become anxious."
- "Anxiety is caused by continually trying to solve problems you cannot solve."
- "Peace is trusting God in the midst of life's storms."

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

[melhara]

DNF 7% or ~12 minutes into the audiobook

I made the mistake of borrowing this book based on the title alone (without reading the synopsis). It appears that this book consists primarily of bible scriptures explaining why God doesn't want you to worry or be anxious.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you struggle with worry and anxiety? At one time, I had a big struggle with it. .. but now not as often, thankfully. The Answer to Anxiety by Joyce Meyer is a fairly short book that could be helpful for those who struggle with anxiety.

The Answer to Anxiety is based on Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV), " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Throughout the book, Meyer reflects on various aspects of this passage, along with other Bible passages, as well as stories from her own Christian walk with God to encourage readers who struggle with anxiety. This isn't a very long book and can be read fairly quickly or it could be read more slowly to better focus on the precepts and learn what Meyer is teaching. I always appreciate how practical Meyer's books are. I also like how she does not put herself above her reader but levels the playing field and talks about her own struggles quite openly in The Answer to Anxiety. Even though I don't struggle as often with this issue as I used to, it was still a good reminder of living in peace and free from anxiety as much as possible in this life.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions within this review are my own.

[goatmilksoda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yikes. I think there's definitely room for faith in working through mental illness but this ain't it. It is so harmful to people with mental illnesses to just tell them that they "aren't being faithful enough". This book is unhelpful and just makes anxiety sufferers feel worse. "Your suffering isn't as important as other people's" "you just need to believe in God more" instead of practical advice. No matter what God can do, we can't just rely on God for everything. We must be proactive in our lives and work to get actual help instead of waiting around and wallowing in shame for not being "faithful enough". This sort of thinking is what drives people away from Christianity.

How unfortunate that the message is just "pretend you don't have anxiety, and if you still do you're doing faith wrong."

I'm sure Joyce has some great things to say, she obviously knows the bible well, but this feels like overstepping without any real knowledge of how clinical anxiety disorders and mental illness work.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In The Answer to Anxiety: How to Break Free from the Tyranny of Anxious Thoughts and Worry, Joyce Meyer reveals truths from God’s Word that shows us how to focus on God when we’re feeling anxious or unsettled. She also teaches readers practical steps based on Scripture that we can take when we need to face our fears and resolve all of our anxieties.
4 stars

[Laura Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couple good thoughts.

[Elizabeth Borges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great reference to passage but not the best book on anxiety.

[Autumn Hubbard · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF !!! I have always loved Joyce Meyer, I have a shelf full of her great books...I found myself so disappointed when shortly into this book she tells me that God has conditions and that if you have unforgiveness at all for someone then God will not answer any of your prayers. I do know that unforgiveness is not good for me and God would want me to forgive, but I do not believe that God will no longer answer my prayers or forgive me as a condition of me not forgiving. Broke my heart reading that.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

We know we will have problems because we live in a sinful world. Meyer says if we learn to deal with the daily troubles quickly, we will not develop anxiety disorders. She learned the importance of this when, near the end of 2017, she became very ill because of stress. That experience was a turning point in her life, she says.

Meyer bases her book on Philippians 4:6-7. She gives four commands from that passage:
We are not to be anxious
We are to pray
We are to be thankful
We are to enjoy peace.

She gives good strategy for each of those points with practical suggestions for dealing with worry and anxiety. Her suggestions are based on the Word. And in case we think she has conquered all this, she gives examples from her own life of how she has had to work through these commands too.

Here are some of the insights I really appreciate. One is that anxiety is rooted in fear. That's one reason why trusting God and believing He loves us is so important. Another insight is our frustration with not knowing as much as God. And we try to solve problems we were never meant to solve. We are rather to give them over to God and then trust Him to work in His time. And then she reminds us that we often complain about a situation or a person without having prayed about it first. Ouch. And, Paul did not pray that peoples' problems would go away. Rather, he prayed they would bear it with a good attitude. And, Meyer says gratitude is a form of spiritual warfare. How about wanting peace so deeply that you ask God to change you rather than your circumstances?

That is just some of the good teaching in this book. Meyer gives good strategy with practical ideas to deal with worry and anxiety. The book is very readable and I recommend it for anyone who wants to successfully conquer worry and anxiety.

Food for thought: “We should always be growing spiritually, being gradually transformed into the image of Jesus Christ.” (1277/1624)

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Grace Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated this book! “If we think according to the spirit, our thoughts go something like this, I wasn’t expecting this problem but I trust God to take care of me. I’m going to pray about it and be thankful for all the blessings in my life. This problem is only one thing and I have hundreds of things I can be thankful for. God has always been faithful to me and I know he won’t let me down this time. This will work out for my good.”

[Jen Pierron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled through this audiobook. Heavy emphasis on “giving it to God” when you are worrying or anxious. Im all for respecting different ideas but I think this just relies way too much on looking at/reading scripture for comfort versus practical tools people can learn that may not be as religious as the author.

[Caleism · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I have learned a lot of things and saw some in different light. It wasn’t revolutionary since my mother has been drilling the same biblical way to handle my anxiety since I was a child but there were some things that I saw with proof and examples which was very interesting.

Will continue her books. This time the physical ones that I have.

[Sarah Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. It was a really nice read and had some great reminders in there but I felt I read it so quickly I didn’t take it ALL in. I love Joyce Meyer and will continue reading more of her books and listening to her podcast ❤️

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely nothing helpful. God will take care of your problems, pray for anxiety to go away. Wish books would just say when they’re just going to use bible quotes and Jesus to explain any and everything. I would not have read this knowing it was religious.

[Taylor Mckenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, lots of scripture which I loved! definitely more targeted at everyday general anxiety rather than someone struggling with deep rooted anxiety.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cons:

- I felt like it was really redundant and could’ve been summarized in a blog post.
- as someone with anxiety, I felt guilt that my faith isn’t strong enough because I need medicine. She does state that God gives us medicine and doctors. So that may be a personal struggle.

Pros:

- lots of quotes with references to which bible and what edition

I overall liked the book and really understood the message behind it. I think that it’s a great message but I’m going to keep taking my SSRI.

[Lance Lumley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pastor Joyce Meyer's latest writing dives into stress, worrying, and anxiety by using the groundwork of the writing from the Bible passage Philippians 4:6-7.
Meyer gives the reader several keys to overcoming anxiety, which suggestions for remembering the past victories the person has been brought through, trusting in God, and believing that God is in control. She also covers the power of prayer by being definitive in prayer requests to getting the person's mind off their troubles by praying for other people and dives into showing gratitude, having peace, and not letting the worries build up, instead dealing with them one at a time without piling them up.The text is easy to read, which can be used as a devotion by reading one chapter a day or reading multiple ones.
For an in depth review, visit my page at : https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/202...

[Alexandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

the devil gave me anxiety because I’m an ungrateful complainer

⭐️

[Sheila Garry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although the word anxiety appeared in the beginning of this book, it was not the primary focus. The author was primarily concerned with the gospel and preaching about The Word.

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Joyce Meyer has a way of making God’s word relevant and teaches us how to apply it to our daily lives. I have read other books by her, but this book had a different tone and feeling. Perhaps because it was written during a personal trial (no spoilers from me).

Joyce presents Biblical strategies on how to address anxiety in our lives and explains the strategy in five simple steps. As a person of the Christian faith, the strategy was not new but written in a manner that makes God’s desire for us to live a peaceful life eye-opening.

I appreciated Joyce’s gentle writing style on this topic, a change from the bold delivery some have seen on television broadcasts. I also appreciated Joyce’s emphasis that Jesus, therapy (and medication) all work together.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires simple knowledge on dealing with and overcoming anxiety. The recommendations are easy to implement, and I experienced peace while reading the chapters.

I received an advanced copy of the book for an honest review.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joyce Meyer, in her newest book, The Answer to Anxiety addresses the feeling most commonly felt in so many people. Anxiety can be so crippling and struggling to overcome it has been difficult. Joyce tackles this topic by focusing on Philippians 4:6-7. Philippians 4:6-7 states that praying with thanksgiving to God will result in peace instead of anxious feelings.

Joyce writes about gratitude, peace, how worry and anxiety affect us, and how prayer can be comfort in times of worry. Joyce adds Scripture that support and give encouragement when facing times of anxiety.


One piece of Scripture that resonated to me was Exodus 14:4. Exodus 14:4 states that the Lord fights for us and resting on this knowledge will give us peace. This was a great reminder to me that God sees our hurts and our struggles and we are not alone in facing them.


This book is helpful and encouraging. The Scriptures illustrated in this book and the message Joyce writes reflects the message that God doesn't want us to worry and He wants the very best for us.


Happy Reading!

[IrenesBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another helpful book by teacher Joyce Meyer. Her ministry is well known and may be why you are interested in this book. Whether you know of her teachings or not, you will find yourself enjoying and learning from this book. Everyone goes through anxious moments. In this short book you find guidelines to follow that will help with the anxiety you are currently dealing with. From prayer to thanksgiving, the steps are all written in an easy-to-understand language, with thoughtful examples. I liked how open she was about her own struggles. I thought the book was not only helpful but also something you could read over and over as you deal with different circumstances that begin to cause you anxiety.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher FaithWords, for the temporary digital ARC that I read and gave my honest opinion of.

[Art Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Joyce's Magnum Opus

I leaned on logic a lot because intelligence had often been a useful tool for me. Not in this thing called life! Joyce's book has practical tools that will not only free you from the negative thought loops and lies from the enemy but will show you how a Christian should walk through the everyday of life. Nothing in this book is confusing or overcomplicated. In fact it's so simple and practical you'll know that it must have been God who explained this through her so clearly.

This book is a LIFE CHANGER. I read many books and rarely write reviews. I had to on this one.

You end up learning things that weren't even the main subject of the book. She explains John 4 and Mark 11 and praying without ceasing in simple ways I've never heard before. God bless you Joyce and all who read this book!

[Daniel Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was filled with personal stories, practical strategies, and words of encouragement. I read this book because my mom loves Joyce Meyers and her ministry. I could see why my Mom enjoyed her messages because, in the book, Joyce was honest, vulnerable, and realistic. She shared great examples of how to apply practical strategies to everyday situations. I appreciated the challenges and discoveries Joyce shared throughout the book. She acknowledged that despite the success of her ministry, she is still a work in progress. I appreciated her openness to talk about the confrontations in her marriage and her honesty in her self-assessment of her role in the situation. Her testimonies inspired me, and I look forward to growing in my faith.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama Joyce. I used to feel like her books were very dry, and maybe her writing style still is. But it was just what I needed in this time. I have ever really dealt with anxiety, but recently I felt it started to creep it’s little voice into my head and heart. Quickly I jumped at reading this book and getting on top of it.

**Now with that said, in no way do I believe that anything is wrong with those who need medication to manage their anxiety. But I certainly believe that everything goes along side our faith and prayer life. We do our part and God does His. My situation is not at medication level, by any means, but I do not want to discount that. Nor do I believe that Joyce Meyer does in this book.

[Tamika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book as I follow Joyce Meyer on social media and enjoy her teachings. I like how she discusses and teaches from her own personal experiences which is helpful as opposed to others who just want to give their thoughts on the topic.

I was impacted in a layoff back in October 2023 and was extremely anxious and worried about so much. Although I was able to be re-hired in another role with the same company, the end of the year, I was still worried. Reading this book has helped me remember that our Lord is always in control and to not worry but always be in prayer. I enjoyed how she taught through learning what the Bible says about being anxious and worrying, and will continue to reference this book if/when needed.