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Running Scared: Fear, Worry & the God of Rest

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I do not generally consider myself a worrier. I am more the easy-going type--the kind who is generally carefree and and does not succumb to fear. Or so I like to think. But even then I have to admit that I can be fearful--I can give in to the temptation to worry. Even if I worry about the things I consider "big," I prove to myself that I am still a worrier at heart. And to tell the truth, I don't know of anyone who doesn't worry about something at sometime. We all tend to feel fear at one time or another; we all tend to be afraid of life, of what it brings, or of what we think it might bring in the future.

Running Scared is a book for fearful people, which is to say that it is a book for everybody. It is notable not only for its subject matter, but for its author--Edward Welch who has written, among other highly regarded titles When People Are Big and God Is Small. The book is divided into thirty chapters and Welch encourages the reader to tackle one chapter per day and to not return to the next until he has taken the time to discuss each one with another person. The chapters fall into two uneven parts, one with four and the other with twenty six chapters.

Welch begins with some initial observations, perhaps the most important of which is in the third chapter. It is here that he reveals that "fear speaks." This is to say that fear tells us about...us. It tells us about how we understand ourselves, about how we understand God and how we understand the world around. Fear is "a door to spiritual reality." "There is a close connection," Welch says, "between what we fear and what we think we need. ... Whatever you need is a mere stone's throw from what you fear." That statement is profound and well worth further consideration. It is little wonder that Welch suggests pausing often to ponder. Another point that I found worth of extra attention was this one: "Worriers live in the future." Worriers are constantly looking into the future and using their imaginations to construct their own version of what the future will look like--what it must look like based on their understanding of what has happened, what will happen, and how God works.

"Here is where adult imaginations show their mettle. Imaginations are our ability to consider things that don't presently exist. Sometimes we call it vision. A visionary is one who looks ahead and envisions the trajectory of a church, business, or individual life. A talented visionary is one who can see future possibilities and persuade others of that future. Visionaries are rarely right (at least in the details), tend to be optimistic, and are always confident."

What does this have to do with worry? "Worriers are visionaries minus the optimism." Ouch. Worriers construct worse case scenario futures for themselves and begin to believe that these futures must be theirs. In this way they take on the role of prophets, but only of false prophets. And we all know what the Bible prescribes for false prophets...

Having shared his initial observations, Welch turns to the voice of God, providing a series of chapters in which "God speaks." God first speaks about some general principles related to fear and worry and then to more specific matters--money and possessions; people and their judgments; death, pain and punishment; and then peace. Each chapter turns to Scripture for its authority and each concludes with a point or two of a personal response of application or reflection.

With surprise I admit that this is my first foray into the books of Edward Welch (though it certainly will not be my last). He has quite a unique writing style, one that made me think of Mark Buchanan with maybe a few shades of Max Lucado or Phillip Yancey (which in this case I mean to be a compliment). He writes conversationally, almost poetically, but also exegetically, drawing what he teaches primarily from the Bible. It is clear that He relies on Scripture as his authority and his source.

For someone who does not consider himself much of a worrier, I was surprised to find that this book offered me a lot to think about; it offered me a challenge to see where (not if) I worry. And as it offered the biblical diagnosis, it offered also the biblical cure. It showed me that worry, though usually a hidden sin and perhaps even a sin that most often seems harmless, is a sin that impacts my life and serves to distance me from the God who says time and time again, "Do not be afraid. Peace be with you. The Lord give you peace." It showed me most clearly of all that the way I feel about fear and worry is a sure indication of what I believe about God.

Running Scared is a book I highly recommend. I think you'll want to add it to your library as well.

I am a worrier. And though as a Christian I know that the end result is in God's hands, I really don't like pain - physical and emotional - and therefore tend to do my level best to avoid it.

But in this life, trials are unavoidable. How to face the trials of life without letting worry overwhelm you is the subject of Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest by Edward T. Welch.

The few books on worry I have read have been written from a Christian perspective. But it seems even the Christian books are heavy on the pop psychology with a few Bible verses thrown in for good measure. Since modern psychology has been about as effective at curing society's ills as fat-free foods have been at curing our obesity problem, it's a shame that that's the level of drivel that most Christian authors have sunk to.

Welch, though, has a different take. He starts from - get this - the Bible, and then helps the reader to apply it to the worry and fear that can often overtake the believer. The crux of the book can be found in this paragraph:

"We are accustomed to thinking about a spiritual sector to our lives. We know we are spiritual beings, but we prefer to keep a "balance," since we are also physical, emotional, and so on. But if "spiritual" is shorthand for our relationship with God, it is not a component of life; it is the very essence of life. Everything is connected to our relationship with God. If you disagree, you have discovered why you are just a bit cantankerous as you read this book."


Welch carefully points out that we often live in fear because we have set up false idols for ourselves. For instance, if we worry about money, it is because we are relying on money, rather than God, for our security.

The book takes the reader through the different things people fear (death, loss of a loved one, loss of money, loss of reputation, physical suffering) and then points him to the only cure - a right relationship with Christ. He then reminds the reader that God's grace is sufficient - both to save from judgment and sustain through earthly trials.

Welch also reminded me that learning not to fear is a continual process, like sanctification. He never promises you that you will close the book and never worry again - even though as Christians we shouldn't. What he does do is help the reader apply the promises of scripture to life, and therefore gives us the only tool that will truly work.

I highly recommend this book.

Like all of Ed Welch's books, Running Scared is a helpful book for ordinary people who struggle with ordinary sins. Scripture-laden and down-to-earth, this expose on fear, worry, and anxiety addresses our souls with the living and active word of the Living God.

Welch writes in an easy, conversational style, weaving Scripture, personal stories, and thoughtful heart-oriented application into the tapestry of his book. The thirty chapters are short enough to read several in one sitting. The last two thirds of the book helpfully divides into four sections addressing three categories of fear: (1) money and possessions; (2) people and their judgments; (3) death, pain and punishment; then finally, peace with God. This last section may be my favorite, as Welch helpfully unfolds several biblical themes (such as covenant, shalom, and peacemaking) with a view to helping us deal with our fears.

Running Scared will be helpful for several groups of people: (1) those with anxiety disorders or pathological fears; (2) people struggling with everyday, garden-variety worry; (3) psychologistis, pastors, and both professional and lay counselors who are trying to help people work through their fears. I found the book helpful in both personal and pastoral ways and highly recommend it to others.

As the economy worsens, you wonder how you will pay all your bills. You'd like to go to a Bible study, but you're afraid that you don't know enough and you'll look dumb in front of everyone. You get mad when things don't go as you planned. You stress over all the details of an event and you hate delegating to others because they might not do it right. Do you relate to any of these scenarios? I'm going to assume that you either do, or you are lying to yourself! So how do we deal with the fear, anxiety, worry and control issues that we all face? As a start to begin to deal with these things, I would highly recommend Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of Rest by Edward T. Welch.

Unlike many books on the topic of fear, this one is not a "self-help" book (although if it is read and applied, it will definitely help) - it is a " how God helps" book! The book has two sections. The first section places our fears, anxieties and worries into a proper perspective. Our fears reveal things about us, what we trust in, what we hope in, and ultimately, what we believe about God. Welch has some very helpful and challenging things to say about this:

"Worriers are visionaries minus the optimism." (pp. 50).

He also says that ultimately, worries are false prophets, because the exact details of their worries never come true! (Ouch!).

"The plan? Here it is so far. Take a hard look at yourself instead of your circumstances when worry is blaring. Ask yourself what you are trusting in. Consider your poor track record for predictions, yet recognize that all these steps, while they may give you some hope, still don't push back the boundaries of fear and worry. Reason alone can't do it. Face the reality that we have to go outside ourselves for an answer and seek the God who is in control." (pp. 54).

Part Two deals with specific areas of fear, struggle, control and anxiety, such as money and possessions, other people, death, pain and punishment. Again, the areas Welch deals with relate to anyone who is human living in this fallen world.

"As Father, God comes close to you. He knows your needs and you take comfort in his love. As King, he sovereignly reigns over his kingdom, and his bidding will come to pass. You take comfort in his power. If he is going to speak effectively to your fears, he must be both loving and strong, and indeed he is". (pp. 67).

The book has 30 chapters, and Welch suggests reading only one chapter a day and spending some time meditating upon the issues that each one deals with. Each chapter ends with a section called "A Personal Response" which helps give the reader some guidance on how to apply the lessons of that chapter. For example, in the chapter "When the Kingdom Isn't Enough" (on money and possessions), the personal response says:

"I want to say to myself, Okay, now stop it. Stop holding onto your stuff. Be more generous. And I do say that, but it doesn't really work. So I confess that I can, at times be frozen with indecision at the crossroads of the kingdoms. I don't want to be possessed by things that have no longevity. I want to be possessed by Christ. I take small steps of obedience: tithing, serving, and asking others for wisdom about money....Through it all I must ask the question, Why is it about you? You are not the King; you are the servant of the King! Then I settle back and listen to God's patient and persuasive responses. `He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?' (Rom. 8:32)" (pp. 134-135).

Running Scared is a must read for all of us who struggle to really trust God with the future and the details of our lives. It is very God-centered and grace-centered, and that is the type of teaching that will really change a person! Put this one at the top of your "must read" list for this year!

I got this book last year - I read it slowly and when ever I am tempted to fear and doubt the Lord. It has been a wonderful ministry to me in this weak area and I have purchased it for others also.

Some people know that they have fear. Others are afraid to admit it. In this primer on fear, worry, and the God of rest Ed Welch invites us on a biblical journey to face our fears. He begins with initial observations on fear. In order to let God speak to our fear we have to discover exactly how we are afraid, as well as admit that our fear says more about our belief in God than about the fear itself. In the second section of the book (which is comprises 4/5 of the book) Welch "let's God speak" to our fear. He begins by laying a biblical foundation from the story of the Israelites and Manna. His point is simple--God gives us enough grace for each day, but only enough for each day. You will get more grace for tomorrow but only until tomorrow. After laying a solid foundation Welch then invites us to hear what God has to say about some of the big "fears" we face. He addresses money and possession; people and their judgments; death, pain, and punishment. He closes out the book by letting God speak peace to us. Also, after every chapter Welch offers a personal response to what has been discussed.

What I Liked:

Welch's writing style is soothing and attractive. He writes almost like you are the listener and he is telling you about all of his fears and worries. This book is written as if you are listening to a man wrestling with his own struggle. As you hear his advice to himself you begin applying that advice to yourself. On such a potentially confronting and threatening topic our author writes in a loving and non-threatening way. Even when he exhorts us it still feels like a man exhorting himself.

The principles that are outlined in this book are phenomenal. The chapter on The Manna Principle is worth the cost of the book. Here is an excerpt that has stuck with me, and one I have used to conquer fear and worry in my own life:

"God will give us what we need for today and today alone...The plan, of course, is genius. Dump a year's supply of manna into cold storage and, guaranteed, you will forget God until the supply disappears (Dt. 8:10-14)...God's strategy is to give us enough for today and then, when tomorrow comes, to give us enough for that day too." (76, 77)

What I Disliked:

I think this book should be about 220 pages rather than 320 pages. A few chapters seem to be a tad redundant. Perhaps we need to hear these principles over and over again and that is why Welch revisits certain points so frequently. Even with that being said the book certainly does not feel like 320 pages long. It reads relatively quickly, I think I just got a tad tired towards the end. It's a great book that needs to be read by all.

I highly recommend this book for those who are struggling with worry and anxiety, from chronic anxiety to those who are worrying about given situations in life. The book is in essence a biblical theology of fear that is very application-oriented. It is an especially good resource for ministers and other leaders who deal with people in counseling situations. It also has excellent applications for preaching, because it is so saturated with Scripture (not just proof texts, but sustained reflection on Scripture that touches the intellect, emotions, and behavior). I can think of no other book that I would recommend more highly on this topic.

Running Scared is an excellent book for anyone who struggles with fear, worry and/or anxiety. The book challenges the reader to take a good look at what they are trusting in rather than the Lord for their peace of mind. The author encourages the reader to trust that the Lord gives grace for each day, rather than looking too far ahead into the future at what is unpredictable. He encourages the reader to focus on the King and the Kingdom rather than on self and circumstances, and to see that the King is trustworthy. The book provides a biblical perspective on worry and challenges the reader to focus on what God has called him or her to do right now, rather than going down the slippery slope of worry and anxiety.

Ed Welch writes in a way that is understandable and biblical as he addresses the struggles of fear and worry. His content on fearing man instead of God is excellent. I had never thought about how fearing the future, is in essence making me a "false prophet" because I am projecting what will happen, which in fact will not come to pass. Welch deals with problems that surface in many Christians lives and problems that can be debilitating. I would recommend this book for small group studies as it promotes genuine and deep discussion on a common problem.

I have read many, many books on anxiety and this is one of the best, on par with Elyse Fitzpatrick's Overcoming Fear, Worry and Anxiety. My favorite line is "Worriers are false prophets." I recommend it to my patients and friends.