Overcoming Fear and Worry
()
About this ebook
When anxiety robs you of sleep, when worry saps your energy, and when fear captivates your thoughts, it is easy to feel helpless. But you do not have to remain a prisoner of fear, anxiety, or stress any longer.
- Find out the difference between helpful and unhelpful fear
- Recognize the true causes of fear and how to overcome them
- Learn practical ways to break patterns and habits of anxiety and worry
- Discover your source of peace, security, and freedom
See how the fear of rejection, fear of failure, and even our genetics can impact whether or not we worry about a situation. Then, discover how the Word of God, prayer, and a positive outlook can help you break that pattern of fear.
4 Key Features of Dr. Norm Wright's Overcoming Fear and Worry
- Expert Advice Explained in an Easy-to-Understand Way
- Find out how to tackle the "what ifs" that can paralyze us with fear.
Perfect for—
- Personal use/growth
- To give to someone who is struggling with fear and anxiety
- Ministry training tool
- Christian counseling resource
- Supplemental information for a Bible study on fear, worry, or anxiety
H. Norman Wright
H. Norman Wright is a well-respected Christian counselor who has helped thousands of people improve their relationships and deal with grief, tragedy, and more. A licensed marriage, family, and child therapist and certified trauma specialist, he has taught at Biola University and the Talbot School of Theology, given seminars, developed curriculum, and worked as a private practitioner. The author of more than ninety books, he resides in Bakersfield, California.
Read more from H. Norman Wright
Relationships That Work (and Those That Don't) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings101 Questions to Ask Before You Get Engaged Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Better Way to Think: Using Positive Thoughts to Change Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Complete Guide to Crisis & Trauma Counseling: What to Do and Say When It Matters Most! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Communication: Key to Your Marriage: The Secret to True Happiness Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Healing for the Father Wound: A Trusted Christian Counselor Offers Time-Tested Advice Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Premarital Counseling Handbook Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Starting Out Together: A Devotional for Dating or Engaged Couples Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5101 Questions to Ask Before You Get Remarried Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Helping Your Hurting Teen Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiscovering Who You Are and How God Sees You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsQuiet Times for Couples Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Recovering from the Loss of a Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsReflections of a Grieving Spouse: The Unexpected Journey from Loss to Renewed Hope Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Counsel a Couple in 6 Sessions or Less Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Key To Your Man's Heart Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Loving Your Mother without Losing Your Mind Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen the Past Won't Let You Go: Find the Healing That Helps You Move On Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Finding the Right One for You: Secrets to Recognizing Your Perfect Mate Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Strong to the Core: Dynamic Devotions for Men of God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMissing the Child You Love: Finding Hope in the Midst of Death, Disability or Absence Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Making Peace with Your Past Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to Overcoming Fear and Worry
Related ebooks
Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear: Practical Ways to Find Peace Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Letting Go of Fear: Put Aside Your Anxious Thoughts and Embrace God's Perspective Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finding Freedom from Anxiety and Worry Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHelping Your Hurting Teen Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHealing Depression for Life: The Personalized Approach that Offers New Hope for Lasting Relief Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Experiencing Dementia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLoving your Rebellious Child: A Survival Guide for Parents of Prodigals Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRecovering from the Loss of a Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSelf-Worth: Discover Your God-Given Worth Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Exceptional Life: 8 Powerful Steps to Experiencing God's Best for You Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Overcoming Bitterness: Discovering Life Again Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCaring for a Loved One with Cancer Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Quiet Times for Those Who Grieve: Hope and Healing for Your Heart Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5When a Woman Chooses to Forgive: Finding Freedom in Letting Go Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen It Feels Like the Sky Is Falling: How to Find Hope in an Uncertain World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiscovering Who You Are and How God Sees You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMaking Peace with Your Past Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Answer a Fool: Answering Foolish People Wisely- a Guaranteed Stress Reliever Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBreaking Free From Anger & Unforgiveness: A Biblical Strategy to Conquer Destructive Reactions Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFreedom From the Lies You Tell Yourself (Ebook Shorts) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen the Past Won't Let You Go: Find the Healing That Helps You Move On Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dealing with Bitterness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5ABC of Marriage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStolen Identity: Finding Your Identity in Christ Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5BATTLES ON THE MARRIAGE BED: Discover How To Resolve Marital Sex Conflicts Amicably Without A Third Party Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiscovering and Loving the One Chosen for You: Part 2: A Relationship Divine, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
Ghost Empire Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Speak French for Kids | A Children's Learn French Books Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beginning French for Kids: A Guide | A Children's Learn French Books Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches that Reach Them Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Road Less Traveled Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Conflict... When the Story Gets Interesting: A Portion from Tell Me a Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHobbit Lessons: A Map for Life's Unexpected Journeys Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Conversion of Igbo Christians to Islam: A Study of Religious Change in a Christian Heartland Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Book of All Books Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Wise Thoughts for Every Day: On God, Love, the Human Spirit, and Living a Good Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Proverbs 1-15 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIch mag Deutsch! | German Learning for Kids Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrench is Fun, Friendly and Fantastic! | A Children's Learn French Books Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove in the Void: Where God Finds Us Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5HOW SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE THINK: CHANGE YOUR LIFE Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Getting Started in French for Kids | A Children's Learn French Books Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBruised and Wounded: Struggling to Understand Suicide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBoundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Is God Your Massage Therapist? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLearn French Now! For Every Kid | A Children's Learn French Books Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLanguage Learning in Ministry: Preparing for Cross-Cultural Language Acquisition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Plain and Simple: A Woman's Journey to the Amish Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLeaving Alexandria: A Memoir of Faith and Doubt Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeginning French Lessons for Curious Kids | A Children's Learn French Books Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Scandal of the Gospel: Preaching and the Grotesque Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Overcoming Fear and Worry
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Overcoming Fear and Worry - H. Norman Wright
CHAPTER ONE
Fear
It’s an intruder. It’s also an interference with everyday life. It can come and go at will and take the edge off of life. You’ve heard of a joy robber—well, this is it. At times there’s a good reason for its presence, and then there are times when having it around doesn’t make sense. What is this? Fear. It has the power to either immobilize or motivate, but in either case, it can cast a cloud over what may have been a positive experience.¹
We all experience fear to one degree or another. It can range from the smallest fear of not looking good enough to the concern of not getting home safely from school each day. Some of us talk about our fear, while others just live with its presence and remain silent about it.
While it’s true that many feel secure today, that feeling could be a sense of false security. I have met with many in schools and companies who seem so secure but inwardly live with fear. I have sat with survivors of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, school shootings, and accidents, as well as those who seemingly lead everyday secure lives. I hear about fear, and the security we seem to experience can disappear in the blink of an eye.
For many, the illusion of security that was lived with for so long has dissolved. Millions of Americans—as well as people in other countries—who never before experienced fear and panic now do.
Over the past decade, we have become more safety conscious. Many people used to let their kids run around the neighborhood, but now worries about stranger danger have made us more cautious. Many parents bring their children to school instead of sending them on the school bus; airports and places of business have increased security; and Coast Guard and Navy boats patrol our harbors and coasts.
The media pours frightening stories into our homes twenty-four hours a day, further eroding our feeling of safety. Just watch the news each night. It will intensify your fear!
We’re the richest nation on earth. We’ve always found security in our savings, stocks, mutual funds, retirement, and so on. Until recently. Lately, major corporations have failed, pension plans have been drained, and the stock market has been erratic—these situations too feed our fear on a daily basis.
Each day I talk with people whose lives are filled with fear. Some of them have recently developed fears; others have lived in a prison of fear since childhood. The good news is that the prison doors of fear are unlocked! Remember, no matter how long you have been imprisoned behind its bars, you can find freedom from the grip of fear and walk away from it.
WHAT IS FEAR?
Our English word fear comes from the Old English faer, meaning sudden calamity or danger.
Fear has come to mean the emotional response to real or imagined danger.
The Hebrew word for fear can also be translated dread, meaning a heavy, oppressive sensation of fear.
A word we often interchange with fear is anxiety, which comes from the Latin anxius. To be anxious is to be troubled in mind about some uncertain event. A variation of anxius means to press tightly or to strangle.
Anxiety is often a suffocating experience. Fear and anxiety are actually quite similar. A true fear has an identifiable object of danger, either real (a burglar in your house) or imagined (a shadow that looks like a burglar). When we’re anxious, we have the same feeling of fear, but we don’t know why.
We show our fear in different ways. Some people experience a sensation internally and show nothing on the outside. Others sweat, and their heart pounds. Some people become unglued, start screaming, and run away. Others freeze and cannot move. Habakkuk the prophet experienced some of the common effects of fear:
I heard, and my [whole inner self] trembled, my lips quivered at the sound. Rottenness enters into my bones and under me [down to my feet]; I tremble.
— Habakkuk 3:16, AMP
Also, the skin can appear pale, hair stand on end, and blood pressure rise. There may be increased blood flowing through the muscles, causing greater tension; dryness and tightness of the throat and mouth; an increased need to urinate and defecate; butterflies flying in your stomach; a paralyzing weakness in the arms and legs; difficulty in breathing or a tightness in the chest. Scripture gives the same description of the results of fear and worry:
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down.
— Proverbs 12:25, AMP
RATIONAL AND IRRATIONAL FEARS
Fear of Life
All of us are afraid sometimes. That’s normal. But some of us are fearful most of the time. That’s not normal. We weren’t designed to be driven by fear, yet some of us are. We weren’t created to dread life, yet many of us do.
Occasionally, people tell me that they are afraid