Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

Review by Megan Alms, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University and currently a freelance writer from Indianapolis, IN.

Book Title: Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace

Author: J. P. Moreland

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: 2018

Format: Print book

Length: 224 pages

Overview:

Finding Quiet is a practical and personal guide to navigating mental illness as a follower of Christ. Within this book, readers can find a biblical understanding of mental health, tools for healing, and the personal testimony of the author himself.

Moreland begins his discussion with a holistic approach to mental illness through the lenses of theology and philosophy. With the functional understanding of humanity found in the Bible, Moreland identifies how believers can use medicine, psychology, and spiritual practices to find healing. He then provides tools and practices readers can use to battle anxiety. These include different types of prayer, meditation exercises, methods of reframing thoughts, and steps toward changing habits.

Moreland shares his own story to encourage openness within the Christian community, offering a needed message for today’s church about the realities of mental illness, its causes, and its cures. This timely resource is beneficial for believers in any state of wellness.

Many resources are provided at the end of the book for readers who are seeking more content. The Bible verses listed at the end are comforting and effective for subduing anxiety, and the various bibliographies provide opportunities for more research from other psychological and theological sources.

At the heart of Finding Quiet is the message that God wants us to be well, both physically and mentally. This book can bless not only those struggling with mental illness, but also their brothers and sisters in Christ.

Rating:

5/5

Suggested Audience:

Christians struggling with anxiety or depression

Christian Impact:

This book offers a theological and philosophical view of mental illness, practical advice for Christians struggling with anxiety, and a perspective on how the church should approach the topic of mental health.

Other Notes:

Included in the back of this book are a list of encouraging Bible verses, chapter summaries, sources for anxiety research, and a bibliography.