Putting An X Through Anxiety: Breaking Free from the Grip of Worry and Stress

Reviewed by:

G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.

Title:

Putting An X Through Anxiety: Breaking Free from the Grip of Worry and Stress

Author:

Louie Giglio

Publisher:

Passion Publishing

Publication Date:

November 14, 2017

Format:

Paperback

Length:

61 pages

OVERVIEW

For many Christians, anxiety is an awkward topic. Some people teach that true Christians won’t experience any anxiety. Others are simply uncomfortable with the topic when it comes to whether Christians should use medication. Louie Giglio is no stranger to this topic, having struggled with anxiety and depression himself. In this brief book, he considers several key steps people can use to handle and overcome anxiety:

• Recognizing stress and anxiety is not unusual
• Considering the source of anxieties
• Understanding God as protector
• Letting go of the need for control
• The value of taking slow breaths to manage stress

It often seems like there are two kinds of short Christian books. There are ones which are short because they’ve essentially pamphlets with a little padding, giving out trite explanations and tired old responses people have heard a hundred times over in church. Then there are ones which are short because they communicate an idea which is so simple it doesn’t take many pages to explain it, yet the idea has radical implications. Some of the best sermons and lay theology (such as C.S. Lewis’ essays) fall into this second camp, and it’s fair to say this book does as well. Giglio projects empathy for people’s struggles on every page, and understands the struggle too well to give easy answers. Instead, he shows them how that even though everyone’s struggle with anxiety is different, and medication or therapy may be part of the healing process, certain basic principles are immensely helpful to anyone struggling with anxiety. His emphasis on recognizing the lies that lurk behind anxiety and focusing on what God says about his love and protection over people, is especially helpful.

An excellent introduction to overcoming anxiety through trust in God.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5 stars)

4.5 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians seeking Biblically-based answers on how to seek God’s help in handling anxiety.

Christian Impact

Giglio backs up his claims with plenty of Scripture, showing people how the God the Bible talks about is big enough, loving enough to handle their struggles and sorrows.

Note: This book was published as a companion piece to Louie Giglio’s book Goliath Must Fall: Winning the Battle Against Your Giants (Thomas Nelson, 2017). Readers can understand this book’s context without reading the related work, but may find it helpful to read both.