Book Review: How to Live in Fear

Book: How to Live in Fear: Mastering the Art of Freaking Out by Lance Hahn
Size: 215 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 15, 2016)
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

In How to Live in Fear: Mastering the Art of Freaking Out Pastor Lance Hahn shares his battle with a severe anxiety disorder.  The first half of the book is in autobiographical form. He is vulnerable and shares openly the struggles he has faced with anxiety since childhood. The second half of the book gives advice, encouragement and Scriptures to help others who struggle with fear as well.

My Review

Pros

• Content: I appreciated Pastor Hahn’s open and honest peak into his personal life as well as the lessons he has learned during his journey with anxiety.  As I realized the depth and extent of his anxiety, his words gave me perspective on my own much milder anxiety.  I was able to think, if these techniques worked for him in his situation – I bet the would work for me!

• Engaging: An easy to read book written in a conversational tone.

Cons

• Style: The first half of the book was autobiographical and the second half was full of lessons and advice on anxiety.  I had a hard time transitioning between the two, it didn’t feel like the same book.  There weren’t any dramatic moments where I was grabbing for a highlighter.

• Grammar, Spelling and punctuation: Sentences were not tight, it is written like you would talk.  I know this area is subjective, and it might not bug you at all.  I pulled a random example from the book to help you decide for yourself.  “To honor my commitment to transparency, I pushed through my humiliation and drafted a letter to convey to my staff that, at the critical moment they needed their leader the most, he was in the fetal position at home, freaking out.” Did he get his point across? Yes.  Could it have been said more effectively with fewer words?  Probably.

 

Favorite Quotes

 “If I don’t get enough sleep when I am dealing with stress, anxiety, or fear, I am more easily agitated and my nerves are less relaxed. I don’t have as much emotional margin, and I tend to have a shorter fuse.” 

“If we love God for what He provides, then we will stop loving Him when He stops providing for us…But if we love God because of who He is, then our love will endure…He is my only hope. No other options are on the table. God could have taken my anxiety away a long time ago, but He didn’t-on purpose. That doesn’t change my love or adoration for Him. God is good all the time and I refuse to allow my circumstances to dictate my theology.  Yes, I’m a mess, but that doesn’t mean God isn’t good.”

I would recommend this book to: Someone who felt alone, judged or paralyzed by fear and anxiety.

Sum it up in one sentence:  Anxiety doesn’t have to stop you from living a full life.

 

 

 

 

*While I received this book free from the publisher, you –  the reader are my first priority. I am committed to giving an honest review to help you decide if the book is a good fit for you..