Anxious for Nothing

by Bill Hull

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800752589
• ISBN13: 9780800752583
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
• Length: 190 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Put it in a bag and give it to God!

First, you'll get an introduction on the whats and whys: Anxiety is an inner conflict caused by a difference between one's expectations and reality; between one's inner values & belief system and his/her real behaviour. It's a strong pull in opposite directions.You get rid of anxiety by either changing reality, or your expectations, or your behaviour or your belief and value system. Selfish (becoming rich or famous or powerful) or unrealistic expectations cause anxiety. Not doing everything you can to enhance the situation and circumstances around you also leads to anxiety. Hypocrisy, or knowing what to do and not doing it and vice-versa causes anxiety too. Then, Mr Hull will take you to a thorough exploration of Paul's words: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication and with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the Peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). Next, each part of the passage is dealt with in detail: "prayer" (making it central activity in our daily life); "supplication", "belief" (that He is there, He understands you, He will help you), "thanksgiving" (or seeing the good in your life and in people); handing it over to God; "God's peace" (and joy, which are the result of a life without anxiety, anger, fear or frustration) and guarding one's heart and mind. Supplication is seen as a real desire to change, as a result of a painful understanding of our mediocrity and blindness, our irrational beliefs and everything that keeps us from growing. Through everyday prayer we guard our minds from negative thinking, bad memories, bad feelings, dysfunctional and unproductive behaviour patterns and anxiety. We cannot eliminate them all completely, but we can acknowledge them, reject them and give them to God.Experiencing Peace also requires us to forgive. There is no place for Peace and Joy when the heart is full of hate, resentment and bitterness. The more we pray, the more we know God and his will, the stronger this Peace will be. Even when everything around seems falling apart.Finally, he spends some time showing the importance of everyday practice . I liked the book. It helped me clarify a few things in my head. It's written in a very clear and simple way. Anyone can understand it. Paul's passage is central in the book, but many other passages from the Bible are used. They all add insight and guidence to the issue.The reason why I didn't give it a 5 is because Mr Hull can be a bit preachy sometimes (what else to expect from a preacher?) and it is a bit repetitive (but others will probably find this a plus). If you can see beyond these minuses you'll find good advice in it.