Fighting Fear by Faith with Alli Worthington

Everyone carries anxiety on some level, unique to their specific personality and season of life. According to research, an estimated 18 million Americans struggle with anxiety, and women are 60 percent more likely to experience anxiety in their lifetime. But author and entrepreneur Alli Worthington is convinced there’s a better way—a way we can fight to live brave and unafraid. As a mother of five, juggling parenthood, a home, a thriving business and social commitments, she knows firsthand how a busy life can quickly send your fears into overdrive.

In Fierce Faith: A Woman’s Guide to Fighting Fear, Wrestling Worry, and Overcoming Anxiety she lays out a blueprint for making the daily choice to not allow worry to dictate our lives – something she had to learn herself.

When an unexpected onslaught of tears caught her off guard in the Target parking lot, Worthington sought counsel from close friends and realized she had allowed fear to paralyze her. Once she was able to identify what situations in her life caused the fear, she was able to take steps to combat worry and anxiety in her life.

Worthington shares in the book about how she believes we can fight fear by faith.

“It’s time to fight. Instead of letting fear and worry overwhelm us, let’s use the battle plan in your hands to fight back. Instead of living our lives under the weight of worry, let’s learn the way to overcome. Let’s trade hiding from what scares us for really believing the promises of God deep inside us. Let’s trade in our defense mechanisms and learn to live bravely.”

Worthington shares practical and tangible ways readers can fight their own fear. This step-by-step guide uses spiritual truth to answer the “what do I do now” questions plaguing readers—all with a dash of her personal stories and lighthearted humor. Each chapter features clever, easy-to-implement lists that walk readers through practical ways to combat each type of fear. In addition, every chapter ends with action steps, many of which can be completed in the back of the book, which contains a comprehensive “Battle Plan” that can also be downloaded as a stand-alone resource on Worthington’s website.

Tackling eight universal fears women of all ages face—from the fear of rejection and betrayal to the constant worries moms entertain surrounding their children, Worthington asks the questions women are already thinking but are often too scared to voice. Through practical insight, Worthington leads readers on a journey to identify fear-based thinking, overcome the big and small worries in life, learn simple tricks to stop the anxiety spiral and live a more confident, less worry-filled life.

 “This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:17-18

Risen Reflections

Seek help to tackle your fear and anxiety. God didn’t intend for us to walk this journey solo. Instead, he has given us friends, family and a body of believers to help us along the way. This group is especially important when we are going through a struggle. Ask God to show you who can help you tackle your fear and anxiety. It might be a friend, small group member, pastor or family member. Ask them if they would be willing to help you. From listening to our story to going to a meeting with a counselor, it can be helpful to have someone walk alongside us.

Don’t be afraid to get help. Often times, there is a stigma with getting help. In some cultures, it can be perceived as a sign of being weak when we ask for help but in reality, it is often through relationships that we experience break through and healing. It might be getting involved in Celebrate Recovery, going to a professional counselor, or getting involved in a ministry that can help you. If it seems intimidating, ask a friend or family member if they would be willing to go with you.

Help a friend. Take time this week and pray. Ask God to show you a friend that you can pray for and serve. As you pray ask God to show you how you can help that friend. It might mean babysitting their kids so that they can go to a counseling appointment or sitting down and helping them process what is going on in their situation. It could even be reading through a book like Fierce Faith: A Woman’s Guide to Fighting Fear, Wrestling Worry, and Overcoming Anxiety together and sharing what you learn with one another. Be willing to share your story with others too.