Breaking Anxiety's Grip by Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Back Cover:
Discover true peace in an age of anxiety.

No question, we have a lot to worry about. Children, jobs, homes, health, finances, and more. The solution isn't to rid ourselves of the sources of anxiety--as if we could. Instead, we need to recognize that anxiety originates from a spiritual influence and that we can fight back using the God-given weapons of power, love, and a sound mind.

Sharing her own story of emerging from the battle with anxiety as well as the stories of others, Dr. Michelle Bengtson reminds you of your identity as a follower of Christ and of the peace he promises you in spite of everything. She provides tools to cope with the crushing emotional burden of anxiety now and, more importantly, shows you how to reclaim God's peace as a way of life so that you can break anxiety's 

grip.

I first met Dr. Michelle through Hope Prevails when she wrote about her challenges and victories with depression. Her writing style is clear and focused, and she liberally scatters Scripture through it all. Her second book about anxiety is very similar. 

Anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand (though not always), and I found this book very helpful in defining anxiety. While I don't face the challenge of anxiety on a daily basis, I come in contact with people all the time who do, and sometimes it can be hard to relate if you don't know what someone's going through. Dr. Michelle gives examples from other people who describe how anxiety makes them think and feel which is helpful in defining anxiety in your own life and observing it in others. 

Dr. Michelle's foundation for anxiety is that it stems from a lack of trust in God. She defines anxiety in the first chapter and then goes on to explore some of the medical science behind anxiety. Her pages are filled with hope and a constant reminder to trust God. Fear, worry, and anxiety tend to spiral when crisis hits (not to mention the daily thoughts about what could happen but never do), and Bengtson writes from personal examples with cancer in her family. She guides the reader with helpful suggestion at the end of each chapter and often encourages verse memorization or placing verses on sticky notes all over your house. Her Recommended Playlists (first seen in Hope Prevails) also find their corner in this book too. 

Anxiety likes to use the questions of "what if" to bring us concern, worry, and fear, which ultimately lead to our lack of faith and unhealthy introspection. Dr. Michelle write about reclaiming the power that is all ours from the moment of salvation, and how, in Jesus' name and with Christ's blood, we can have freedom and victory over worry, anxiety, and fear. Bengtson also discussing living in God's love and how we can live in the moment of pain and still realize that God is good and His love is perfect. Her last chapter details how we must use the power of a sound mind in dealing with mental struggles. We do get to choose how we respond to trials or fears, and we have the choice to talk back words of Scripture to ourselves or give into the numbing, panic-inducing terror of anxiety. Changing our thoughts takes practice and time, but it does get easier with time, and Dr. Michelle reminds us that negative thoughts come from the reign of darkness and not of the Light of Christ. We can conquer through prayer against Satan and Scripture verses that turn our minds to the freedom in trusting God. 

*I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review. 

The Girls' Guide to Conquering Life by Erica and Jonathan Catherman

From Amazon: 
There's a lot a girl needs to know as she grows up and makes her way in the world. Having a reference guide of practical how-to life skills and character traits can empower her to become a confident and capable woman. Coauthors Erica and Jonathan Catherman offer this collection of step-by-step instructions on 100 things girls need to succeed, including how to
- introduce yourself
- change a flat tire
- respectfully break up with a guy
- leave a tip
- apply for a job
- ask for a promotion
- behave during a police stop
- create a personal budget
- calculate square footage
- wash your face
- clear a clogged drain
- iron a shirt
- wear a scarf
- shoot a basketball
- sharpen kitchen knives
- and much more

In fact, if it's in here, it's an important skill or character trait practiced by capable and confident women. With great illustrations and sidebars of advice from world-class experts, this all-in-one reference tool for young women in the making is the perfect gift for birthdays, graduations, or any occasion.

I remember requesting this book while waiting in the barn at the farm where I work. I thought it would be neat to see how an author would break down different life skills into smaller steps. The Catherman husband and wife team cover many aspects of life in their chapters. Each chapter begins with a page long introduction on the topic. The authors are straight-forward and encouraging in their approaches to varying life skills, and while I loved their honesty, I was a bit bothered by the fact that their guidelines and points of view were merely backed by the idea of "being a strong woman". While I am completely for the equality of value in men and woman as humans created in the image of God, I can't seem to find a biblical backing for some of the statements Erica and Jonathan present. I love how they desire to instill leadership skills and empower the next generation to live well, but they do seem to root much of their thinking in feminism. (While I understand that non-Christian authors will write from a non-biblical point of view, I was quite surprised to see it published under a typically Christian publisher. I do not necessarily takes issues with reading specifically non-Christian material in and of itself.)

Some of their relationship styles may not be to everyone's taste, but I believe the underlying principles are generally helpful. Whether or not you'd invite a guy on a "date" or choose to use a credit card or decide to swing a golf club in your free time is up to you. Either way the basic instructions for a variety of life skills is laid out step by step. Some of these instructions could have greatly benefited from picture illustrations (ie: gift wrapping, budgeting, ironing a shirt, etc.). While detailed writing instructions are good, there were times when the task itself was quite a bit easier than attempting to understand the picture-less directions.

All that said, I think this book would be helpful for pre-teens and young teenagers. I think most of the topics in this book are covered by many families when raising their children (and most are simply common sense), but it's always good to hear a review of them and have a list of directions nearby. Plus you might learn a couple new things as well.


*I received this book free from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.