Can you imagine a life without fear? Max Lucado’s newest book Fearless got me started.
I was waiting to meet up with a friend, sipping a cup of decaf with Max Lucado’s newest book in hand.
My friend greets me. “Watcha reading?”
“Fearless. It’s a book that explores what life might look like, if we lived without fear.”
This particular friend isn’t a believer, so I was subtly throwing a line out to see if the topic might be of interest. Maybe she’d like to borrow the book for a read?
It didn’t turn out to be such a big attraction. I don’t blame her.
Exploring my fears is probably the last thing I’d like to do in my dealings with fears.
I like to keep mine quietly locked away, with the keys hidden for good measure.
Funny thing is, fears can’t be kept in a box.
The not-so-funny thing is, fears can keep me living in a box.
Can you imagine your life without fear?
This was the question Max asked on the jacket of his new book.
Hmm… Now, that is an attractive proposition.
Max Lucado deftly guides the reader through fears, chapter by chapter, under the light of Scripture, but with the humanity of self transparency and empathy. You know this guy is gonna get you, because he tipped his hand first.
Some chapters may not be as applicable as others. But for the two that hit home in my case (Fear of Worst Case Scenarios and Fear of the Coming Winter), dragon slaying fears was well worth the read.
If I had to make a bet on which chapter was Max’s favorite to write, I’d put my money on Make Believe Money: The Fear of the Coming Winter.
It was the funniest and the Scriptural back ups most poignant.
I have never heard anyone pit the investment strategy of the rich foolish barn builder (Luke 12:16-21) against the widow who gave away her life savings (Mark 12:42-44).
But, Max did. Superbly.
How do you handle fear? What role does it play in your decision making?
This post is Part 1 of Slaying My Dragons of Fear. In upcoming posts, I will be writing about the hope I found
in facing my fears while reading Max Lucado's newly released book, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
Read Part 2: Are You a Feargazer?
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Full Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a participant of Thomas Nelson's Book Review Program. 
8 Comments
Thanks Bonnie, Max is one of my favorite authors.
“Funny thing is, fears can’t be kept in a box.
The not-so-funny thing is, fears can keep me living in a box.”
So true. I’d tell you about my fears, but I’m afraid to.
Looking forward to upcoming posts. Keep up the good work.
I will read this one 🙂 On a similar topic, I have LOVED John Ortberg’s book “If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat” and read it no fewer than 4 times (as proven by the various color high-lighter markings) when I was facing one fear or another. If you haven’t read that one, I strongly recommend it. I have enjoyed all h is writing, but this one is my favorite, by far.
I LOVE Max Lucado, and this book will surely be on my desk soon. I’m a guy who tends to fight a lot of fears. I need all the help I can get!
Fear is a part of us all. Nature give it to us for a purpose. Our exemption though from other creations is that we are capable of controlling our fears.
The secret is to feel it, to allow it, but never be manipulated by it. It takes wisdom and determination to master this. 🙂
@Doug: I know, I am afraid, too. I will take a babystep in my upcoming posts to tell some (although not all). Hey, babysteps, right! 😉
@Catherine: Thanks for the pointer to John Ortberg’s book. I will see if the library has it for checking out.
@Billy: Oh, you, too!? (whew) Glad to hear I’m in good company. This is a good one.
@Walter: Hi, Walter. Welcome! I don’t view fear as something we can master, but I do believe we have a Master, God, who can calm and relieve us from our fears. Do you view differently? How have you been able to “master” your fears?
[…] post is Part 2 of Slaying My Dragons of Fear. Read Part I: My review of Max Lucado's newly released book Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear Stay tuned for Part 3: A Beginner's Quick Guide to […]
[…] post is Part 3 of the series Slaying My Dragons of Fear. Be sure to read: Part I: My review of Max Lucado's newly released book Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear Part […]
[…] post is the concluding Part 4 to the series Slaying My Dragons of Fear. Be sure to read: Part I: My review of Max Lucado's newly released book Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear Part […]