Customer Reviews

Anxious for Nothing: God's Cure for the Cares of Your Soul (MacArthur Study Series)

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Anxiety, worry, fear and stress are common responses to the problems we face. But when we consider the Biblical commands--"Be anxious for nothing," (Phil. 4:6) "Casting all your cares upon Him," (1 Peter 5:7) "Do not worry about your life" (Matt.6:25)--it is sad that so many of us still respond to life's trials and circumstances this way.

This book gave a helpful overview of anxiety that clearly showed why anxiety is sin and gave great Biblical instruction for putting on qualities to counteract it(i.e.: contentment and gratitude). On a side note--though it was very easy to read, I noticed that it didn't sound very much like John MacArthur's other books or even how he speaks. The book is simpy an adaptation from sermon transcripts and was not edited by his usual editor, so it reads different, but is still definitely worth a read!

George Muller said, "Where faith begins, anxiety ends; where anxiety begins, faith ends." This pointed statement is a good summation of MacArthur's approach to anxiety as well. He definitely teaches that anxiety is a spiritual issue of the heart as one stands before God not just as some describe it as an uncontrollable attack or a reaction their circumstances forced them into. I was convicted by his explanation that anxiety is simply distrust in God's power and care. He gave a great example of the Israelites and how they complained against God while they were in the wilderness because they doubted He would bring them to the promised land. The silly thing is that all the while they were witnessing miracles and wonders. We can so easily trap ourselves into a tunnel vision and forget just who our God is!

Below I have listed some points that I found to be encouraging in attacking anxiety in my own life.

React to problems with thankful prayer. Paul said, "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) What MacArthur says about this is very helpful because I can sometimes come to God very upset about my circumstance and almost accusatory instead of thankful for the opportunity to come to Him and to be sharpened and grow. MacArthur writes:

The real challenge of Christian living is not to eliminate

every uncomfortable circumstance from our lives, but

to trust our sovereign, wise, good, and powerful God in

the midst of every situation. Instead of praying to God

with feelings of doubt, discouragement, or discontent, we

we are to approach Him with a thankful attitude before

we even utter one word. We can do that with sincerity

when we realize that God promises not to allow anything

to happen to us that will be too much for us to bear

(1 Cor. 10:13), to work out everything for our good in the

end (Rom. 8:28), and to "perfect, confirm, strengthen and

establish" us in the midst of our suffering (1 Peter 5:10).

p. 38

Put away grumbling and be content. When we question or criticize how God is working things out in our lives it will only breed more worry and anxiety over what is to come. MacArthur writes about this "emotional bellyaching" and warns us not to debate God.

"We start arguing with God about why things are the way

they are or why we have to do what we're supposed to do.

We think we have a better idea than God about the job,

marriage, church, home or any other situation we're in.

We are living in a fallen world. It isn't always going to be

the way we like it, and the people around us aren't always

going to be the way we'd like them to be. When we complain

about them we are positioning ourselves for His judgment.

James warned, "Do not complain, brethren, against another,

that you yourselves may not be judged; behold the Judge is

standing right at the door. (James 5:9) God is always in

earshot of our complaints."

p. 118

Remember whose Name I bear. We should never act in such a way that would be inconsistent with who we are. We must not forget who our heavenly Father is. This quote was a good reminder for me:

"Keep in mind next time you're tempted to become anxious

or complain...You have been created to reflect God's nature."

p. 124

Temporary cures for our anxiety, stree or worry should not suffice. Instead we can hold fast to the truth of God's promises to us and trust Him. Anxiety is not something that we should struggle with because God gives us the power to overcome it!

This study is good for individual or group use. It is basic and easy to follow yet incredibly insightful. The book uses scripture to back up every point and uses very good analogies to make the points even more clear. The design of the book is also helpful in that the study questions are in the back of the book (indicated by the gray tabbed section which can be seen from the side.) This means you do not have to buy a separate study guide. I highly recommend this book.

This is a favorite book of mine. I buy them by the box and give them away. It is a great gift for those who are in the hospital or anyone who is concerned about life's trials today. This world has so many issues, it is nice to know God's Word can address them and that God is truly in control...no need for us to worry.

This book should be a recommended reading for anyone struggling with anxiety, depression, loneliness, worry, fear, stress, and contentment. Instead of reading a pop psychology self help secular book, or a book dressed in christian lingo but filled with secular wisdom, MacArthur takes you right to the Bible and explains what God's word says on these subjects. MacArthur exegetes scriptures with skill, and writes very well. My favorite chapter is on how others are looking out for you. This chapter MacArthur talks about Angelic beings and how they are protecting, guiding, providing, and serving us. In the chapter does he encourage us to use our spiritual gifts to fight anxiety. However what he writes on the Spiritual Gifts is incredibly basic and way too simple. For a more exhaustive look on the Spiritual gifts check out the book "Discover who you are." One very very important thing emphasized in this chapter is the need for Biblical fellowship. Fellowship is not just going to church and then leaving. Fellowship involves relationships with like minded believers. The responsibility of finding such fellowship is yours as its not found in every church. I have been in PLENTY of churches where I could not connect or relate as there were few my age, few that were single, and in my stage of life. I eventually had to leave those churches and find fellowship in another church, which is what I did earlier this year. This is a book that I cannot just put back in my massive book library and never read again, but should be a book that I refer to time and time again. I have so many books, and have written many 5 star reviews, but many of those books have gone back to my library and I have not referred to again. This one should not be like that.

The best book ever seen on Anxiety. John MacArthur uses the Bible to show you how you can rid yourself of all worry. He makes a great point. At best, the world can only help you "manage" your worry. The Bible will give you the means to eliminate worry.

In an interesting and easy to read manner, John Macarthur walks the reader through Biblical principles on how to live joyfully and peacefully in a troubled world. This is a decidedly Christian book that extolls the teachings and person of Jesus Christ as the true answers to life's problems. I would highly recommend this book to readers young and old.

This book along with John MacArthur's "Saved Without a Doubt" is an excellent addition to my MacArthur Library, which grows by leaps and bounds.

I want to make one comment on a review that was posted in 2006. I quote from the person's review below:

"The real challenge of Christian living is not to eliminate
every uncomfortable circumstance from our lives, but
to trust our sovereign, wise, good, and powerful God in
the midst of every situation. Instead of praying to God
with feelings of doubt, discouragement, or discontent, we
we are to approach Him with a thankful attitude before
we even utter one word. We can do that with sincerity
when we realize that God promises not to allow anything
to happen to us that will be too much for us to bear
(1 Cor. 10:13), to work out everything for our good in the
end (Rom. 8:28), and to "perfect, confirm, strengthen and
establish" us in the midst of our suffering (1 Peter 5:10).
p. 38"

Within the text is this sentence: "We can do that with sincerity
when we realize that God promises not to allow anything
to happen to us that will be too much for us to bear
(1 Cor. 10:13),". This not what 1 Cor. 10:13 says, nor is it what MacArthur is saying about this specific verse.

1 Cor. 10:13 (NASB, which is MacArthur's bible translation of choice) says: "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

The operative word in this specific verse is "tempted", not something that is "too much for us to bear", which is a huge difference, and something many eisegete (read into, instead of exegete, draw out of) when quoting this verese.

So, we have God's promise in this specific verse that we will never be tempted beyond our ability to resist (He will assure that we can resist temptation). To be tempted vs. "tested" are two different things. The first is a promise...the second is not...in this specific verse.

John K. Harris, Loveland, Colorado (a new address from above)

I'm not a huge MacArthur fan. He tends to lean too heavily on the authority of Scripture and draws very little from human experience, new developments, or practicality. There didn't seem to be anything new I gleaned from this book. As a Christian, I already know I'm not supposed to worry or be anxious... I know worrying is a sin... I know we are supposed to pray... and cast our worries upon Christ... trust God... and be content in all circumstances. I already know these things. I know what Scripture teaches about worrying and anxiety both in the Psalms and the New Testament. It would have been nice if more practical things were offered in this book besides an abundance of Scripture verses and a lecture about what we're supposed to be like. Dismissing all of psychology certainly doesn't help too. Does MacArthur dismiss all of science and medical technology? I could have saved myself $15 and simply read my Bible. But, unfortunately, I need more than just Scripture verses and this book fails to provide more.

I did not read all of this book. It is not a good book if you are someone with a true biologically based anxiety disorder. He basically discredits the possibility that these disorders are truly brain related and instead feels that they arise from sin. What a horrible thing to tell a Christian who truly has a brain imbalanace that has been scientifically researched. Would Mr McArthur tell a cardiac patient that his faith must be weak since his heart is not functioning appropriately? I would recommend other authors from the Christian arena instead, such as Chonda Pierce's "Laughing in the Dark" or anyone who is trained as a psychiatrist in the Christian arena. To say that anxiety disorders do not exist in the face of all the research and despite people suffering is irresponsible and could damage many people who are truly Christian and suffer from such disorders.