A Word from Bob
I’ve collated today’s post from The Annual Guide to Biblical Counseling Resources: 2021 Edition. Go here for the 2022 Edition.
Today’s post is directly related to my most recent post, which you can find here: 12 Biblical Counseling Resources on Anxiety.
And, for another related post, this one on depression and bi-polar disorder, see: 15 Biblical Counseling Resources on Depression and Bi-Polar Disorder.
Fear: Booklets
Adams, Jay. What Do You Do When Fear Overcomes You?
In this pamphlet, Dr. Jay Adams explains from Scripture a process for breaking the cycle of fear in your life.
Priolo, Lou. Fear: Breaking Its Grip
Lou Priolo solves a problem that, for the chronically fearful, seems to have no solution. Proving that fear is an emotion to be controlled, not a force that controls you, he shows that the fears that cripple us are caused by selfishness. He provides insight into fear by listing ways to determine when your fear has become sinful, and offers guidelines for conquering fear by drawing our courage from God’s sovereignty and the comfort in His Word.
Welch, Ed. When I Am Afraid: A Step by Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety
You know how anxiety and fear feels—your stomach drops, your neck tightens, your whole body tenses—but do you know what to do when anxiety fills your days and troubles your nights? You’ve probably already tried a few strategies, like denial or working harder, and noticed that they aren’t a permanent solution. If you are tired of dealing with anxiety and worry on your own, then When I Am Afraid is for you. As you go through each set of meditations by Ed Welch, anxiety will gradually yield to hope, peace, and rest. Of course, this is a lifelong process, but going through this devotional guide, either on your own or with a small group, will kick-start the process and begin lifelong change.
Fear: Books
Mack, Wayne, and Joshua Mack. Courage: Fighting Fear with Fear
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells us to fear God, but our lives show where our true fears lie. Sinful, controlling fear cripples us spiritually: we’re afraid to obey or trust God, and we worry more about what others think of us than what God thinks. Throw off the covers and embrace the fear that is good for you—the fear of God that will give you true courage in every situation. This book can be used for individual growth and development, for group study, or for homework assignments for those in counseling.
Welch, Ed. Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest
In Running Scared, Ed Welch investigates the roots of fear in the human soul and the ramifications of living in the grips of anxiety, worry, and dread. Welch encourages readers to discover for themselves that the Bible is full of beautiful words of comfort for fearful people. Within the framework of thirty topical meditations, Welch offers sound biblical theology and moment-by-moment, thoughtful encouragement for life-saving rescue in the midst of the heart and mind battlefield of rampant panic-stricken responses.
Panic Attacks: Booklets
Moll, Lucy Ann. Help! I Get Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are terrifying, as author Lucy Ann Moll knows well. But she has found hope for overcoming panic, and she longs to help others find the peace of God which comes through the Prince of Peace who conquers fear. Here she looks at the origin of our fears, why we suffer panic attacks, and how we can, with the help God provides, overcome the cycle of fear.
Wallace, Jocelyn. Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Trusting God When You’re Afraid
Suffering from anxiety and panic attacks can feel incapacitating. One minute you feel fine, and the next your heart is pounding, your mind is racing, and your stomach is clenching. Sometimes it even feels like you might be having a heart attack. The Bible says, be anxious for nothing, but that feels impossible when you’re even becoming afraid of being afraid! Thankfully, you have a God who does not leave you alone in your fear and instead uses it to reveal His great love for you. With helpful, practical guidance, experienced counselor Jocelyn Wallace helps you understand the roots of your anxiety and see how Christ meets you in your struggle and provides everything you need to begin to address it.
Worry: Booklets
Jones, Robert. Why Worry?: Getting to the Heart of Your Anxiety
There is hope for even a chronic worrier. Robert Jones takes readers to the heart of worry, helping them understand the cause before they look for a solution. He explains that the root of worry grows when people give themselves to a person, goal, ideal, or object rather than Jesus—thus shifting trust to a shaky foundation. Jones then points readers to the resources they have in God’s Word and Spirit to overcome worry and live for Christ.
Powlison, David. Worry: Pursuing a Better Path to Peace
Do I have any real friends? Will I ever find a spouse? If I do find one, will he or she be faithful? Will we be able to have kids? What about my health? There’s always something to worry about. David Powlison recognizes that we have good reason to worry about things. But he assures us that we have much better reasons not to worry. Anxiety is a universal human experience, and we need to approach it with a plan. What do you do when anxieties take over your life? Powlison describes a six-point game plan.
Worry: Books
Lane, Tim. Living Without Worry: How to Replace Anxiety with Peace
Worry is an extremely common yet unchallenged problem, and many people don’t know how to practically stop worrying, even if they know they need to. This warm and pastoral book by Tim Lane helps readers to see when godly concern turns into sinful worry, and how Scripture can be used to cast our concerns upon the Lord. Christians will discover how to replace anxiety with peace, freeing them to live life to the full.
Witmer, Timothy. Mindscape: What to Think About Instead of Worrying
Each day, we struggle to pull our thoughts away from our worries, fears, frustrations, and desires. When we get stuck, it’s not exactly easy to fixate on whatever is true, noble, right and pure. We are profoundly aware that our worries have negative consequences for our bodies, minds, and relationships. But like most real people with real problems, our thoughts keep swirling around the same old issues. Mindscape builds a practical action plan for changing your mental landscape and your life based on Paul’s rich exhortation in Philippians 4:8. Author Tim Witmer draws from thirty years of experience in helping worried people apply Scripture to their lives to present a clear, biblical, and deeply pastoral guide to replacing worry with a new way of thinking.
Join the Conversation
What additional biblical counseling resources would you recommend for addressing fear, panic attacks, and worry?
