The Anxious Christian Can God Use Your Anxiety for Good?

by Smith, Rhett; Acuff, Jon

• ISBN13: 9780802404442
• ISBN10: 0802404448
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-03-01
• Publisher: Moody Publishers

Summary

So...Many...Choices...Can't...Make...the...Wrong...One... Where should I go to college? Who should I marry? Where should I look for work? What will my friends think? In our journey of faith there are particular moments characterized by, or that produce a certain amount of anxiety. Often anxiety and/or worry has been looked upon as an evil, or an un-christian feeling to have, but The Anxious Christianconveys the mesage 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, our spiritual lives and much more - rather than getting stuck. 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 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 often does more damage. Let's re-think our shame about anxiety 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. Counselor and Pastor, Rhett Smith will also lead us along in this journey thorugh anxiety by looking at the following needs: - Taking an Honest Look at Our Family of Origin - Living in the Place of 'What if?' - Harnessing Anxiety as a Catalyst for Growth - Discovering Who You Truly Are in Community

Author Biography

RHETT SMITH is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in private practice in Plano, TX. He is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary (MDiv, MSMFT) and former college pastor at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. Rhett has a passion for helping people navigate significant areas of transition in their lives such as parenting, marriage, and the adolescent to young adult journey. He also serves part-time at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas where he teaches parenting classes, and he is on staff at The Hideaway Marriage Experience in Amarillo, TX where he helps couples work towards having great marriages. Rhett lives in Frisco, TX with his wife Heather and their two children. You can find out more about Rhett at his blog www.rhettsmith.com.

Table of Contents

< Introduction: The Day I Became a StuttererChapter 1: Hidden Shame: Anxiety in the Christian LifeChapter 2: Facing Fears: Taking an Honest Look at Our Family of OriginChapter 3: In Between: Living in the Place of "What if'"Chapter 4: Resurrected Identity: Experiencing Anxiety with Fresh EyesChapter 5: New Creatures: Harnessing Anxiety as a Catalyst for GrowthChapter 6: Living Intentionally: Choosing Not to Let Life Happen To YouChapter 7: Creating Space: Setting Boundaries for Being and Not DoingChapter 8: Fostering Relationships: Discovering Who You Truly Are in CommunityChapter 9: Seeking Help: Removing the Stigma and Reaching OutConclusion: Living Life as a StuttererAddendum: A Needed Word to Pastors