Scarlet’s Comments (group member since Aug 22, 2019)

Scarlet’s comments from the Afraid of All the Things Book Club! group.

Oh Mimi, I’m so sorry for your loss. So true — the moment of death is such a mystery to us. So thankful we can live with hope. ❤️

Hi guys!

Let me just tell you. I was going to post a farewell video tonight and then I took my makeup off, and here we are. :) I wanted to say THANK YOU for walking through the book with me and I wanted to give you more discussion questions on the book, should you ever want to lead a book club on this book on your own.

Like I said at the start, if you lead a bookclub on this book and do it here on Goodreads, I would be happy to set up a 10-min Skype chat with your group! Just send me a message.

Praying that the peace of God would fill you and that you will be a blessing to the people He puts in your path.

XXOO, Scarlet

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Afraid of All the Things -- Discussion Questions

Chapter 1: My Hypochondriac Collapse in Aisle Six

What were your first memories of fear? How did you handle them?
On pages 14 and 15, Scarlet talks about being “afraid of the Bible” as a child. Have you experienced that? And what did it look like in your life?
At the end of chapter one, Scarlet describes her “gospel awakening.” What has that looked like for you? Or if it hasn’t happened, in what ways do you struggle to apply the gospel in your everyday life?

Chapter 2: Airplane Springs

What are some “comforting lies” you’ve believed?
Which verses in the Bible do you look to to combat the lies? Do any of the verses listed on pages 46 and 47 tie into your specific anxieties?
At the end of this chapter, Scarlet talks about her friend Kelly, who survived several tragedies with her joy and faith intact. Have you witnessed this type of supernatural joy and peace in a person? Have you ever experienced it yourself?

Chapter 3: God, Please Don’t Make Me Move to Africa

Have you ever feared a specific call from the Lord in your life? What was it?
What are some Christ-focused missions that move you with joy?
On pages 86 and 87, Scarlet talks about single-mindedness as a remedy to anxiety. She writes out an example of the three-hundred things on her mind. What are some of yours?
What are some actionable steps you can take to get your mind on the cross and off the “ten million stressful things?”

Chapter 4: Sleeping Through Andrew

Scarlet describes being in a tornado and feeling peaceful. Have you ever experienced that supernatural, Philippians 4:7 kind of peace in your own life? Share that story.
On pages 104 - 106, Scarlet talks about experiencing “things are too good” fears. How do you think God wants us to respond to seasons of blessing that are void of intense hardship?
In the section “Prayer or Pills?” Scarlet discusses a Tim Keller sermon that laid out practical sources of anxiety. Which of these do you identify with? Where does your anxiety come from?

Chapter 5: “Cancer-Cancer? Like, Bald...Chemo Cancer?”

How has cancer or sickness touched your life?
Which scriptures listed in this chapter are most meaningful to you, or have been in the past?
Scarlet talks about a cancer scare that led to a gospel conversation with an unbelieving family member. Have you ever experienced a painful or scary circumstance, but been able to see how God worked it together for good? Share that story.


Chapter 6: Exploding Organs

In this chapter, Scarlet talks about giving God the silent treatment in her grief. Have you ever grieved similarly?
Find some psalms where David is pouring his heart out to the Lord in sadness. Have you ever prayed that way?
Have you ever experienced love the way Scarlet did, when her mother-in-law simply entered into her pain and cried with her, showing no judgement? How did that affect you?


Chapter 7: The Matron of Honor Toast

Do you tend to look backward or forward when you feel afraid?
How do your fears from the past keep you from fruitful things now?
How does your fear of the future cripple you and keep you from action?
Which promises of the Lord do you turn to when you are fighting fear?

Chapter 8: Home and Safe and Loved

Is there something you feel God calling you that you’re afraid to step into?
What are the “pink frisbees” and “blue pitchers” you cling to for security?
Have you ever experienced adoption in a personal way? What has that looked like in your life?


Chapter 9: Grandpa Died -- “The Funnest Day Ever”

What is it that makes death scary?
Do you have any people in your life who “speak in Bible verses?” Which verses do you hope to memorize next?
What are some ways you can get God’s Word in front of you, in the front of your mind, into more of your conversations?
How does the good news of the gospel give us hope in the face of death?

What is it that makes death scary?
Do you have any people in your life who “speak in Bible verses?” Which verses do you hope to memorize next?
What are some ways you can get God’s Word in front of you, in the front of your mind, into more of your conversations?
How does the good news of the gospel give us hope in the face of death?

Is there something you feel God calling you that you’re afraid to step into?
What are the “pink frisbees” and “blue pitchers” you cling to for security?

In chapter 6, I talk about giving God the silent treatment in my grief. Have you ever grieved similarly?

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Ch. 7

Do you tend to look backward or forward when you feel afraid?
How do your fears from the past keep you from fruitful things now?
How does your fear of the future cripple you and keep you from action?

In Ch. 5, I talk about a cancer scare that led to a gospel conversation with an unbelieving family member. Have you ever experienced a painful or scary circumstance, but been able to see how God worked it together for good? Share that story.

In the section “Prayer or Pills?” I discuss a Tim Keller sermon that laid out practical sources of anxiety. Which of these do you identify with? Where does your anxiety come from?

In chapter four, I talk about being in a tornado and feeling peaceful. Have you ever experienced that supernatural, Philippians 4:7 kind of peace in your own life? Share that story.

Forgive me, guys! I posted these questions in some weird spot that was not in our group! So, I'm doubling up on Ch. 2 and 3!

Ch. 2

1.What are some “comforting lies” you’ve believed?

2. Which verses in the Bible do you look to to combat the lies? Do any of the verses listed on pages 46 and 47Afraid of All the Things: Tornadoes, Cancer, Adoption, and Other Stuff You Need the Gospel For tie into your specific anxieties?

Ch. 3

3. Have you ever feared a specific call from the Lord in your life? What was it?
4. What are some Christ-focused missions that move you with joy?

Dana wrote: "I agree with many of you. I don't think I was/am "afraid" of the Bible as much as I was/am OVERWHELMED by it. As a kid, it was overwhelmed by the rules and I've really grown and come a long way fro..."

Yes! I've had such a similar experience, Dana! Thank you for sharing!

Suzy wrote: "I don’t remember a fear of the Bible as a child. My fear came later on. One way was comparing myself to others that seemed to have such a deeper understanding or faith than I did. The Bible was a r..."


Oh man. I've been there. It's been very hard for me in the past to move past conviction to sanctification -- accepting the forgiveness of Jesus... I remember times I'd get STUCK and feel condemned even though faith in Jesus is about how we are NOT condemned -- we are loved. SO so hard!

Delphanie wrote: "I think I've been afraid of it in different ways over time. When I was very young, it was scary as a rule book and my old perfectionist self thought I could never get it all right. Elementary and m..."

Totally! That was me, Delphanie!

Anne wrote: "I was never afraid of the bible as a child, as we were nominal Christians at best. I came to the Lord as an adult, and I’ve never been afraid of the bible. I have had a difficult time relating to G..."

That makes so much sense!

Suzy and Dana! I'm so glad you're here! Be sure to check out the other discussions in here! I'm about to post another question now. Love hearing from you guys!

Jen wrote: "Eep! I am so excited that this group is available, exists and that I am able to be a part of it...thank you Scarlet, Goodreads and whomever else had a hand in setting this up. I have never been a p..."

JEN! What a delight to have you in the group! Thank you for the kind words and for being vulnerable!!! I just posted a question on the discussion board about "fear of the Bible!!" Be sure to chime in on that discussion! I so get it!

Y'all are the best. Excited to have you in the group!

On pages 14 and 15, I talk about being "afraid of the Bible" as a child. Have you experienced that? And what did it look like in your life?

Hey guys!

I did not forget your video! I spent the day traveling in airplanes and airports and didn’t
Have the down time I thought I would! Delays and missing luggage and oh man! Sorry for the delay! I’ll post a video and discussion question tomorrow!

Dana wrote: "My first notion of "bad" in the world was probably realized at a fairly young age due to my Aunt's ongoing battle with breast cancer. Being raised in a believing family though, this was always talk..."

That make sense. Thanks for sharing that, Dana. <3

Jen wrote: "I also learned, as a young child, around the age of 4/5, through divorce and a few other severely traumatic experiences, that the world was broken and that I am broken.

That brokenness I felt abou..."

Wow, Jen. I feel the same way about the people God put in my path. Can't imagine how my life might have turned out without them. <3

“I don’t know when you learned that you live in a broken sad place but I know you know.”

I learned that when my parents got divorced. When did you?