When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety Paperback – October 31, 2008

Ed Welch of CCEF continues serving the church of Jesus Christ in the arena of Biblical Counseling. A companion volume to his book Running Scared, this seven-week workbook tackles the problems of fear, worry, and anxiety with a counselor’s mind and a pastor’s heart. As with all workbooks, the study is very interactive; each chapter is riddled with questions designed to elicit from the reader both information about his own fears and a response to what God says about them.In Week 1, “Fear and Anxiety Speak Out,” Welch counsels us to discover our fears and then listen to what they are saying. Ultimately they are saying something about God Himself. Rather than turning away from God in fear, the reader is admonished to turn to God when afraid.“The God of Suspense Reveals His Plans,” proclaims the title of Week 2. Welch illustrates from the Old Testament that God is the One who delivers at the eleventh hour. The author demonstrates that God does not give grace in advance, but instead specializes on just-in-time delivery. He calls this the “Manna Principle;” it’s there when you need it, but not before.Weeks 3-5 address three of the more common triggers of worry, fear, and anxiety. Financial problems, death, and the fear of man each receive their own treatment as Welch continues to apply the Scriptures with the deft hand of a spiritual surgeon.“The God of Hope Keeps His Promises” is the theme of Week 6. The summation of this week of study is that God promises to be with us in all that happens; He is near and He walks through the trials with us. God’s own faithfulness becomes our rock of refuge in time of trouble.Welch wraps up his study with Week 7, “The Lord Reigns – Things Are Not the Way They Seem.” Though the disaster, sin, and sorrow of the world seems to be winning, the King is present and active. Welch uses Psalm 46 to reassure the reader that God’s sovereign control is exercised unfailingly on behalf of His children. One day His reign and justice will be seen by all.The cover represents the book as “A Step-by-Step Guide Away From Fear and Anxiety.” Most of the steps Welch lists are cognitive ones that involve recognizing and relying upon the living God who is present with His People. If you are looking for a detailed check list of things you can do to defeat fear and anxiety, you might want to keep looking. Welch’s aim is far deeper: he wants to strike at the root of fear, which has to do with the heart-based perceptions of the reader. Welch proclaims a God who really is active and powerful on our behalf, who really is a provider and protector, who sees the end from the beginning and carries His people all the way through. I highly recommend When I am Afraid.

The basics of this book involve looking at fear of man, fear of money, and fear of death. I can summarize this book by Edward Welch in 3 ways. First, it's concise and to the point. It's not too wordy, and it does not attempt to address every possible angle or concept related to fear. If you want this, read his book "When people are big and God is small". Furthermore, it's tough for me to purchase a workbook and find 300 pages where I have to sort through what is useful and what is "filler". In the real world of completing workbooks, people do not have the time to read 300 pages where every chapter is a minisermon. There is no filler in these 87 pages. Second, he approaches this topic from a biblical worldview and does not compromise this view at any point in the workbook. If you want a practical guide to walk you through anxiety/fear from a biblical perspective, this is it. If you expect a more humanistic approach, you will not like this book. This book will not make Oprah's list. Third, I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the questions. Without knowing much about the author, I can tell that he is speaking out of experience. This is an area where "everybodies an expert" but I do believe that this author is an expert and has practical wisdom layed out in this guide. The bible references alone are worth the price of the book.In my work with ministering to people, I find it difficult to find resources that are both theologically accurate as well as practical. One of my favorite quotes in the book: "You will trust in something or someone; that's part of being human. You will trust in your silos, your spouse, your wealth, your loved ones, your cunning, or your health-or you will trust in the Lord. Trust in things that are untrustworthy, and you are trusting in quicksand."

Helping others deal with anxiety while managing my own anxious tendencies can be a lot to juggle as a pastor's wife and women's ministry director. This book is an easy to read resource that is engaging, practical and oh-so-helpful!

This workbook is one of the most helpful aids in walking a person through the roots of their anxiety. It gives hope! And gives us all encouragement to trust God.

While going for some counseling, this book was recommended for me to read and study. There were a lot of powerful things brought up that I needed. All based on scripture which I loved.

Great questions to get you truly thinking and understanding how anxiety controls us and how it didn’t have fox

Wonderful little study, but jammed pack full of truth.Great for the busy lifestyle.It really gets you to think and consider how mighty our God is and how you can trust him in all things.Would recommend for someone who focuses on the wrong things and always worrying.

Ed Welch gets at the root of fear, helps us not to be afraid (!) to acknowledge our fears, and shows us the biblical way of dealing with fear. Well written, probing, and beneficial.

If your looking for a Christian book about Fear this is a great little workbook. It partners nicely with Ed Welshes other book on Fear, "Running Scared"

Great. Simple, helpful, gentle but not soft-pedalling. I find almost all of Ed Welch's publications helpful; this is no exception.

Amazing study love the gradual exposing of the heart that it takes you through