The Anxious Christian: Can God Use Your Anxiety for Good? [Paperback]

Rhett Smith (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 21, 2012

So... Many... Choices... Can't... Make... The... Wrong... One...What will I do after graduation? Whom should I marry? Where should I look for work? What will my friends think? What if my marriage is falling apart? What if I'm drowning in debt? In our journey of faith there are particular moments that produce a certain amount of anxiety. Often anxiety and/or worry has been looked upon as an "un-Christian" feeling to have. But The Anxious Christian conveys the message that anxiety can actually be helpful in our spiritual formation, and that God can use anxiety as a catalyst to move people forward in their life of faith. In that movement, anxiety's gift is that it allows us to face our resistance and fears, understand where those fears come from, and then make intentional choices about important issues such as career, marriage, money, and our spiritual lives. It's time to get unstuck. It is quite common in the Christian life that when someone mentions they are experiencing anxiety, they are often dismissed and devalued by what are often well-intentioned Christian platitudes and Bible quoting. But this dismissal of anxiety often produces shame in the individual, driving their anxiety into hiding where it can do more damage. Let's re-think our shame in this area by planting the seed that anxiety in our lives can be a catalyst for growth that moves us closer to who God created us to be.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Back Cover:

"I loved this book. I often read something and think, this will be helpful to many, but I can't think of anyone who would not be helped by reading Rhett's book. It made me smile to see once more how God tucks the best news inside the most unusual boxes if we have the courage to open them."

Sheila Walsh, author of God Loves Broken People and Those Who Pretend They're Not

--

"Rhett's personal story is profoundly honest-vulnerable, agonizing, and joyful. He does not settle for the quick fixes of pop psychology or the veneer of superficial Christianity. In reading The Anxious Christian you will find yourself plunged into the heart of anxiety, and in the deep waters of God's healing grace."

Adam S. McHugh, author of Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture

 

Inside Pages:

"I loved this book. I often read something and think, this will be helpful to many, but I can't think of anyone who would not be helped by reading Rhett's book. It made me smile to see once more how God tucks the best news inside the most unusual boxes if we have the courage to open them."

Sheila Walsh, author of God Loves Broken People and Those Who Pretend They're Not

--

"Rhett Smith asks Christians to stop and take seriously how God is using anxiety in their life. Rhett's an extraordinarily able pastor and counselor, and his surprising new take on the anxious Christian should be in the hands of every "3 AMer" out there."

Hugh Hewitt, nationally syndicated talk show host and author

--

"For the first time, I see my anxiety as something to press into rather than run from. The Anxious Christian bears the same gifts as many of my favorite books: an earnest voice, a fresh perspective, and an invitation to begin a journey."

Scott McClellan, writer, editor, and director of the ECHO Conference

--

"In these pages, the reader will read a truthful and vulnerable account of how the author has the courage and presence to use anxiety to point himself and his relationships toward the effort to change his own identity and patterns. Read slowly and re-read-you will be rewarded with wisdom that has a practical application of change in your journey of life."

Dr. Terry Hargrave, author and professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Seminary

--

"An important and timely book.  If there's an emotion that could define our post-modern world I believe it would be anxiety. Rhett helps disarm the power we often give anxiety by explaining how it can actually have purpose in the Christian life in that it is potentially a pathway for growth."

Jason Ingram, GRAMMY nominated songwriter, worship leader

--

"Rhett's personal story is profoundly honest-vulnerable, agonizing, and joyful. He will not settle for the quick fixes of pop psychology or the veneer of superficial Christianity. In reading The Anxious Christian you will find yourself plunged into the heart of anxiety, and in the deep waters of God's healing grace."

Adam S. McHugh, author of Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture

--

"In The Anxious Christian, Rhett Smith brings an honest, vulnerable, and refreshing view to anxiety and faith."

R.O. Smith, co-director of Youth Discipleship at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles

--

"Rhett's writing is thoughtful, authentic, and relatable. Rhett gently challenges the stereotypes that most Christians have about anxiety and leads us into the redemptive freedom of choice that we have been given. His unique perspective is restorative and hopeful."

Mindy Coates Smith, D.Min., part-time instructor at Fuller Theological Seminary, and co-director of Youth Discipleship at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles

From the Inside Flap

Foreword by Jon Acuff, Quitter and Start


Sheila Walsh, God Loves Broken People and Those Who Pretend They're Not"

I loved this book. I often read something and think, this will be helpful to many, but I can't think of anyone who would not be helped by reading Rhett's book. It made me smile to see once more how God tucks the best news inside the most unusual boxes if we have the courage to open them."

Hugh Hewitt, Nationally Syndicated Talk Show Host and Author

"Rhett Smith asks Christians to stop and take seriously how God is using anxiety in their life. Rhett's an extraordinary able pastor and counselor, and his surprising new take on the anxious Christian should be in the hands of every '3 AMer' out there."

Scott McClellan, Tell Me a Story

"For the first time, I see my anxiety as something to press into rather than run from. The Anxious Christian bears the same gifts as many of my favorite books: an earnest voice, a fresh perspective, and an invitation to begin a journey."

Terry Hargrave, Author, Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Seminary

"In these pages, the reader will read a truthful and vulnerable account of how the author has courage and presence to use anxiety to point himself and his relationships toward the effort to change his own identity and patterns. Read slowly and re-read--you will be rewarded with wisdom that has a practical application of change in your journey of life.

Jason Ingram, Grammy-nominated songwriter, worship leader

"An important and timely book. If there's an emotion that could define our postmodern world I believe it would be anxiety. Rhett helps disarm the power we often give anxiety by explaining how it can actually have purpose in the Christian life in that it is potentially a pathway for growth."

Adam S. McHugh, Introverts in the Church

"Rhett's personal story is profoundly honest--vulnerable, agonizing, and joyful. He will not settle for the quick fixes of pop psychology or the veneer of superficial Christianity. In reading The Anxious Christian you will find yourself plunged into the heart of anxiety, and in the deep waters of God's healing grace.

R.O. Smith, Coordinator of Youth Discipleship at Bel Air Presbyterian, Los Angeles

"In the Anxious Christian, Rhett Smith brings an honest, vulnerable, and refreshing view to anxiety and faith."

Mindy Coates Smith, Instructor at Fuller Seminary and CO-Director of Youth Discipleship at Bel Air Presbyterian, Los Angeles

"Rhett's writing is thoughtful, authentic, and relatable. Rhett gently challenges the stereotypes that most Christians have about anxiety and leads us into the redemptive freedom of choice that we have been given. His unique perspective is restorative and hopeful.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (February 21, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802404448
• ISBN-13: 978-0802404442
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rhett Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MDIV, MSMFT) in private practice at Auxano Counseling in Plano, TX and is a therapist on staff at The Hideaway Experience marriage intensive in Amarillo, TX. He served as the college pastor at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles ('01-'08) and served on staff at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas ('08-'11) where he taught parenting classes for the youth ministry.

Rhett is the author of What it Means to be a Man: God's Design for Us in a World Full of Extremes and The Anxious Christian: Can God Use Your Anxiety for Good. He is a contributing online writer at his blog rhettsmith.com as well as for publications such as Relevant Magazine and the Fuller Youth Institute. He also co-authored Outspoken: Conversations on Church Communication and The New Media Frontier where he wrote on the topic of "New Media Ministry to the MySpace-Facebook Generation.

Rhett earned his Master of Divinity ('03) and MS in Marital and Family Therapy ('07) degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. He is a member of the The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, The Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, and the Vice-President of The Dallas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Rhett lives in Mckinney, TX with his wife and two children.

For more information, please visit his website at www.rhettsmith.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful, valuable exploration of anxiety March 9, 2012

By Christine Switzer

Format:Paperback

Rhett Smith approaches a challenging topic--one that is often tackled with a "fix it" perspective--with gentleness, wisdom, and compelling insight. I love how he shares transparently from his own challenges and struggles with anxiety, while at the same time drawing on his considerable experience and training as licensed marriage and family therapist.

Discussions about anxiety so often approach it as a problem to be fixed--one that is ultimately shameful and a sign of weakness, and one that should be hidden from others in professional settings and even at times in personal relationships.

But Rhett forgoes these all-too-common approaches in The Anxious Christian: Can God Use Your Anxiety for Good? and instead delves into how anxiety can be a potential source of good in a person's life.

For me personally, I was really touched by his exploration of how our anxiety can be reimagined, that is, how God can use it to reshape pain and suffering in powerful ways. Rhett writes that "[anxiety] is God's tool to help you grow, and the catalyst that helps us get unstuck and move out of the rut." In fact, God uses anxiety, Rhett explains, "[...] as a way for you to give birth to new life and to follow after the new opportunities that are out there that He is calling you toward" (p.76).

As someone who has experienced anxiety to deep and impacting degrees at many points in my life, I found this book to contain very good news--a most welcome message of hope.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read... March 19, 2012

By Philip S Morgan

Format:Paperback

Rhett has managed to take the topic of anxiety and wrap it with a humble instruction. He clearly shows that anxiety is not a final destination but can be a journey of discovering critical truth. Anxious Christian lifts this struggle from the cellar of shame, that much of society has labeled it, and provides a new perspective laced with hope. For those who have grappled with anxiety of any kind they will find a worthwhile and helpful read in Anxious Christian administered through the lens of Rhett's own journey. It is a rare and delightful treat to see someone with depth of knowledge and professional acuity apply it with such a careful humility. Read this book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY recommend! March 1, 2012

By Mindy Coates-Smith

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is thoughtful and authentic. The author gently challenges the stereotypes most Christians have about anxiety and leads us into the redemptive freedom of choice that we have been given. This unique perspective is restorative and hopeful. This book is definitely worth your time. Highly recommend!