Living Courageously by Joyce Meyer

Fear has always held us back one time or another. Meyer has good news for us. There is a solution to fear.

If you want to never feel fear again, this book will not help you. Yes, the Bible says we are not to fear, but that does not mean we'll never feel it. It means God expects us to face it head on, resist it in the power of God, and live courageously.

Meyer helps us understand what fear is, where it comes from, what our attitude toward it should be, and how we can overcome it. She is adamant about a firm decision to not fear, having a definitive mindset. Our thoughts are important. Believing that God is with us is essential. She does remind us that there is one fear we are supposed to have, a reverential fear of God.

Courage comes from believing God loves us unconditionally, and trusting He is with us at all times, and letting Him give us the confidence to be courageous.

In the latter part of the book she deals with insecurity and obstacles, then specific fears. She has great teaching on fear of lack, fear of not being wanted, or being inadequate, or not doing enough to be accepted by God, fear of the unknown or of making mistakes, and many more. She gives encouraging biblical teaching on each one. She also helps us to not pass on our fears to our children. Many Scriptures have been added at the end of the book for memorizing or meditating when retraining our mind to resist fear.

I really like this book. It is full of encouraging teaching, sprinkled with stories and affirming Scriptures and prayers. Meyer's writing is so encouraging in general and she does a great job addressing particular fears. This book will help you conquer fear one day at a time. It is a process and won't happen just because you've read this book. This book will inspire you to do what needs to be done, even if you have to do it afraid.

Food for thought: “All fear is rooted in wrong belief systems or thought habits, and I believe we can change them with God's help.”

Joyce Meyer is a popular Bible teacher with her television and radio programs airing on hundreds of stations worldwide. She had written more than 100 inspirational books. She travels extensively, teaching around the world. She and her husband live in Missouri. Find out more about her and her ministry at http://www.joycemeyer.org.

FaithWords, 272 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.