Breaking the Fear Cycle: How to Find Peace for Your Anxious Heart
4.9
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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781493413416 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Baker Publishing Group |
| Publication date: | 03/06/2018 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | NOOK Book |
| Pages: | 160 |
| File size: | 6 MB |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Breaking the Fear Cycle: How to Find Peace for Your Anxious Heart
4.9 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
17 reviews.
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This was a pretty great book about how to let God take control of your life, instead of giving in to fears and anxieties. Furlough also included a sad story of her own that went along with the book very well, talking about her son Gideon who died a couple hours after birth. Not only was the book very well-layed out, it also included questions at the end of each chapter for the reader to think about and to help apply what was said to your life.
However, I would have preferred shorter bible passages when trying to give comfort, as I enjoy memorizing meaningful passages, and I don't want to have to memorize the entirety of Psalms for a little bit of comfort.
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Fear is something we all experience but struggle to deal with. Fears can even rob us of living a full life and experiencing joy and goodness in the here and now. Many of us even get caught in a perpetual, seemingly never-ending cycle of fear. We long for peace. We wonder how we can experience the peace God promises when we’ve prayed and pleaded but anxiety still runs high or fear paralyzes us. Some of us even experience shame from others, citing a lack of faith in us.
If you resonate with any of this, if you wrestle with little fears in your day to day life, if you find fears consuming you, if you feel stuck in a fear cycle and long to break free, Breaking the Fear Cycle: How to Find Peace for Your Anxious Heart by Maria Furlough is for you.
Maria Furlough knows what it’s like to battle anxiety and fear and be overwhelmed by them. Through a great tragedy in her life, she was forced to confront one of her greatest fears. But before then, Maria shares about her day to day struggle throughout many seasons of her life with fears that held her captive, many that young women and moms will relate to. Maria is a battle worn woman of faith who has experience with fear and facing it head on with Jesus. In doing so, she has also learned how to find peace for her anxious heart.
You’ll find a place free of shame in the pages of this book, but also a voice that speaks boldly and lovingly in a way that will likely bring about conviction concerning your fears and draw you even closer to God’s truth.
From my own personal experience of having had to confront the same fear as Maria, the death of my child, and wrestling and walking with God through it, I can attest to the truth and wisdom that Maria has gained and shares in this book. She shares Biblical truths we need to return to time and time again--because sometimes fear is relentless. And just when you’ve confronted one fear and found peace, another appears, and so you must go back to the truth and walk the way through to finding peace again. That’s where this book met me. In a new season, stuck in a cycle of fear of a different kind. Different fear, same process. No matter what your fear is or if you’re even afraid to name your fear, this book is for you.
With transparency and an ability to balance the honest and ugly ways fear can manifest itself in our lives with a lightheartedness, Maria has written a story that welcomes you as you are and invites you into this journey with her and continually points you back to the truth we find in God’s Word. And like I said, this book isn’t just fluffy faith talk, these words have been lived out and experienced. Furthermore, Maria writes with a simplicity and practicality that offers you a tangible hold on the steps you can take to go from a heart filled with fear to a heart resting in God’s promises, a heart filled with His peace.
Furthermore, I’m not sure I’ve read another author who is quite as concerned for her reader as Maria. At the end of each chapter, Maria offers a prayer for you followed by a set of questions for reflection. Each step of the way, Maria’s words and questions are an invitation extended to you like a gentle hand outstretched to hold yours as you bravely enter into this soul work. She knows the journey to freedom is worth it, and she wants to equip you and walk with you.
Thank you Maria for sharing your story and writing such a helpful book!
*I am part of Revell Reads blogger review program and received a free copy of this title.
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Fear is something we all experience but struggle to deal with. Fears can even rob us of living a full life and experiencing joy and goodness in the here and now. Many of us even get caught in a perpetual, seemingly never-ending cycle of fear. We long for peace. We wonder how we can experience the peace God promises when we’ve prayed and pleaded but anxiety still runs high or fear paralyzes us. Some of us even experience shame from others, citing a lack of faith in us.
If you resonate with any of this, if you wrestle with little fears in your day to day life, if you find fears consuming you, if you feel stuck in a fear cycle and long to break free, Breaking the Fear Cycle: How to Find Peace for Your Anxious Heart by Maria Furlough is for you.
Maria Furlough knows what it’s like to battle anxiety and fear and be overwhelmed by them. Through a great tragedy in her life, she was forced to confront one of her greatest fears. But before then, Maria shares about her day to day struggle throughout many seasons of her life with fears that held her captive, many that young women and moms will relate to. Maria is a battle worn woman of faith who has experience with fear and facing it head on with Jesus. In doing so, she has also learned how to find peace for her anxious heart.
You’ll find a place free of shame in the pages of this book, but also a voice that speaks boldly and lovingly in a way that will likely bring about conviction concerning your fears and draw you even closer to God’s truth.
From my own personal experience of having had to confront the same fear as Maria, the death of my child, and wrestling and walking with God through it, I can attest to the truth and wisdom that Maria has gained and shares in this book. She shares Biblical truths we need to return to time and time again--because sometimes fear is relentless. And just when you’ve confronted one fear and found peace, another appears, and so you must go back to the truth and walk the way through to finding peace again. That’s where this book met me. In a new season, stuck in a cycle of fear of a different kind. Different fear, same process. No matter what your fear is or if you’re even afraid to name your fear, this book is for you.
With transparency and an ability to balance the honest and ugly ways fear can manifest itself in our lives with a lightheartedness, Maria has written a story that welcomes you as you are and invites you into this journey with her and continually points you back to the truth we find in God’s Word. And like I said, this book isn’t just fluffy faith talk, these words have been lived out and experienced. Furthermore, Maria writes with a simplicity and practicality that offers you a tangible hold on the steps you can take to go from a heart filled with fear to a heart resting in God’s promises, a heart filled with His peace.
Furthermore, I’m not sure I’ve read another author who is quite as concerned for her reader as Maria. At the end of each chapter, Maria offers a prayer for you followed by a set of questions for reflection. Each step of the way, Maria’s words and questions are an invitation extended to you like a gentle hand outstretched to hold yours as you bravely enter into this soul work. She knows the journey to freedom is worth it, and she wants to equip you and walk with you.
Thank you Maria for sharing your story and writing such a helpful book!
*I am part of Revell Reads blogger review program and received a free copy of this title.
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Breaking the Fear Cycle: How to Find Peace for Your Anxious Heart by Maria Furlough could’ve been written for me. There were several chapters that had me literally peeking over my shoulder at my Husband, and reading excerpts out loud to him. It sounded exactly like me. When she talks about her thought process when her Husband comes home late from work without calling- it is eerily similar to how my mind works. ‘He’s crashed. He’s dead. We’re all alone’, basically.
My favorite thing she says about that situation, when our minds make up these unlikely scenarios is this:
“God was never there. In my fearful fabrications, never once did I insert the presence and the power of the living God. My brain would only fixate on the tangible and the horrific facts, not taking into consideration that God shows up in super-natural ways in times of suffering, tragedy, and trials. My fearful thoughts never bothered to include God.”
WOW! I had NEVER even considered this before! In all my control-freak, anxiety laden thoughts had I ever even considered I wouldn’t be alone.
She also touches a lot on the fact that, as humans, we’re control freaks. And that our need for control- it is the basis of SO many of our fears.
“We have just enough control to make us feel as if we are the ones who are in control.”
Spoiler alert: we’re not. We never were.
I’ve been reading Job in my bible each morning, and when she talked about Job in her book, I knew there was a reason I decided to re-visit that particular section in my Bible. Because she points out something I never even noticed in Job’s story… but I’m going to let you find out when you read this book. Because you need to.
If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety- or love someone who does, you need to read this. It gives us solid actions to apply to our lives to help ease our anxieties. This book goes over HARD THINGS. Maria teaches us how to pray like Jesus, and how to let go of things that are beyond our control.
I’m so thankful that I picked up this book, at this juncture in my life. I feel like it was placed in my hands right when I needed it.
*I received this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
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I related to this book as soon as I read the title. The fear cycle, yes I know it well for many years. The picture pops in my head of a bicycle wheel going around and around. There are times that my fears would fade only to be brought back full force by thoughts or circumstances. I know from experience it is a vicious “cycle”.
I know God in His Word says “do not fear” but I have been caught in its endless circle.
Ms. Furlough’s book is light shining on this dark problem all believers face. She openly and honestly shares her journey in overcoming this debilitating stronghold Satan builds in our lives. The lessons she learned are the reader’s blessings. She asks questions I knew the answer to but was afraid (yes fear again) to face. The gentle way she nudged me into facing my fears, some I had not even named.
I like that she didn’t just talk about the problem but through scripture and reflection guided me with workable solutions defeat this foe in my life. She doesn’t sugar coat the fact that it will be a battle I have to fight with the Lord beside me, reminding me that my weapon is scripture. The 14 promises in scripture that God will protect me will be something I will use from now on.
Sharing her personal fears and struggles with them not only were uplifting but made me feel she truly understands! With God we have nothing fear and the old saying popped into my head, “we have nothing to fear but fear itself”. Yes! I want “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” in Philippians 4:7
It is not a read it once book. You will want to read it, highlight in it, and make notes. I feel now I have a scriptural battle plan and the mindset truly have victory. It is going to be a process and a journey but so worth it!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.
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Breaking the Fear Cycle by Maria Furlough is in many ways the best book I’ve read all year. The author begins the book with the heart wrenching story of the loss of their 4th child Gideon to Potter’s syndrome. She tells of the fears she faced head on and the way her fear took over and drove her to decisions she might not have otherwise made. She then tells of the ways the Lord intervened and had a greater plan for Gideon and her. This plan wasn’t an escape as quick as you can plan. It was a plan that would face the crippling fear holding hands with God and be forever changed because of it.
The book is FULL of scripture, prayer and heart probing questions. Each chapter is ended with a prayer and a list of questions for meditation and self reflection. The author encourages journaling and getting quiet with God to allow Him to show you your fears and the control they have over you. Through scripture examples and examples of her friends and acquaintances, the author illustrates her points and brings them to real life for the reader. She connects our fear with our misunderstanding God and who he is. She clearly combats that with guiding the reader to scripture to see who God is and why we can trust him with even our greatest fears.
I love the authors vulnerability. She instantly gains the trust of the reader when she says it like it is. I don’t see her as someone who is high and mighty and has it all together. Instead I can see myself in her. I can relate to her. I have an increased bravery to face my own fears because of the way she faced hers. Don’t miss out on this book! It doesn’t disappoint.
For more information about the book https://www.breakingthefearcycle.com/
or the author’s facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/maria.furlough/
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.
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About this book~ "The Bible calls us to 'fear not' on many occasions. But just how do we accomplish that when every news item seems designed to get us wringing our hands? Using her own story as a catalyst, Maria Furlough discusses how to overcome fear for good. With practicality and passion, she shows us the steps we can take to bring those fears to God rather than act on them and to trust God with the future.
When we give God full control over our lives, choosing his sovereignty over our own ability, we can break the cycle of fear, grow through suffering, and trust God to fulfill his promises of protection and peace. If you are filled with anxiety about your personal circumstances, the state of the world today, or even your fear-clogged social media feeds, you'll welcome this hands-on journey from fear to freedom."
Profanity/Violence~ None
Sexual Content~ Mentions of sex and miscarriages.
Other~ None
Age Recommendation: 12+
My Opinion~ Wow!!! There is so much power and impact in this tiny, little book. Personally, I don't struggle with fear that much, but I got a lot out of this book. The author is so personal in this book with her story, her failures, her victories, and everything in between. If you struggle with fear or anxiety this is the book for you. It shows you step by step ways to get rid of fear and give it to God. The author doesn't shy away from her own personal fears, and she actually tells us what they were. She actually went through this process. She actually did all this in order to get rid of fear. This isn't just some book that she wrote for no reason; she wrote this book to free people from the bondage that she once had. As a reader, it can be comforting to know that people actually have gone through what you're going through. It was actually refreshing to read a small book since I normally read bigger books. It also feels refreshing to give a book 5 stars!
*My thanks to the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Maria uses real life examples of how her faith and fear shape the book she pens here, Breaking the Fear Cycle. On our own steam it's not an easy thing to do at all. And she shows us that throughout her book. I think it's a wonderful tool to help, alongside God's word. With that being said I truly think she has a hit here.
Which if us truly believe we have our lives perfectly under control? The guy whose wife has cancer, your fear may be that she could go at any time, and if God took her home, would He still leave you alone? We're told in the Bible, God's word, He never leaves us, He never forsakes us. In my honest assessment of Maria's work and understanding how to apply scripture she does an amazing job. She shows us what she went through and how she used God's word to strengthen her and to uphold her faith.
Was it any easier for her to live her life in all of this? I doubt it, but she persisted along with God at her side. She took steps and shows us how we, too, can come through those fearful moments stronger and better - because God is on our side, He is for us. To be perfectly honest here, my life is never perfect or beautiful, to me it's always a constant mess, but if I stopped for one minute to allow fear rule me and my heart I think it would truthfully cripple me. I used to live my life that way and it serves no real purpose.
So, do I say, "Pick up this book and read it?" I do say that,yes, and at the same time I also say this as well: "Pick up the Bible, read along with her out of your personal Bible, and see how things fit into your life." What harm is there to combat fear and allow God to be present? I think there is none. So grab a copy, sit down and read it little by little or as much as you want. Go dis with you and desires you to live without fear in your life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell for an honest and fair review.
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We are overcome with fears. Yet God says, “do not be afraid.” How do we break the fear cycle in our lives? In this book Maria gives practical wisdom and Scripture to help us overcome our fears. She relates her own story of how she and her husband had to face fear and losing their own child. She teaches a class on how to break the fear cycle at her church and has been writing and teaching Bible studies for fourteen years.
This is an excellent book to use on its own or as a Bible study. There is a leader's guide at the end and every chapter ends with a prayer and questions to journal the answers to. She talks about how to accept God's peace, how to pray in faith and even wrestling with God and going through suffering. I found it to be really helpful in my own life.
I think this is a great book and I love the way she uses Scripture for everything. She lists promises from Scripture that you can claim for His protection. I really encourage everyone to read this book!
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This is a must read for those who want to walk in Peace!
I believe this book would be good for anyone who struggles with fear their daily life. If fear takes you down a path of "what if" then there is help for you.
Maria Furlough takes you on the journey that she traveled as she begin to put a plan in place to stay in a state of peace when fear hits and to learn how to shut fear down. This book is full of scripture to find strength and truth in on your journey out of fear.
At the end of each chapter you will find reflection questions to help you walk this journey to peace and in the back there is a guide to lead a bible study in a group setting.
I received an advanced copy of this book and I will be purchasing a few copies for some friends and family I know would benefit from this book.
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The best part of this book is the fact that it’s written as if Maria were talking to you, her friend. Breaking the fear cycle is not only a book that helps to give a framework for facing fear but also a guide on how to live by fighting fear. Maria has touched my life with her story and her walk with God. Her honesty and ability to be so vulnerable make this book all the more relatable. We all struggle with fear on an hourly, daily, and weekly basis. Maria’s book is a great reminder that fear is a liar and that God’s promises are true. This book will help breathe life into the dark places that none of us want to admit we have, but if we are honest with ourselves and with God than these dark places are filled with light and darkness cannot hide any longer. Maria’s story is one of strength and love and how God can take the most fearfully broken situations and turn them into healing beyond all measure.
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Maria Furlough does such a beautiful job of weaving her story and experience with journeying from fear to Peace into a book with real life Biblical wisdom and steps that anyone struggling with fear in their life can use to find peace and freedom from the control of those fears. Personally, the wisdom contained in this book has brought me to a place of Peace where all of my fears of “what if” no longer consume me as they once did. This book is a must read!
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I have struggled with fear the majority of my life and have read many books on the subject of fear and leaving it behind. Something that clicked with me through Maria's story, is that fear does not stop. Those anxieties and immobilizing fears are not going to vanish, they will pop up in our life but, they can be combated. Maria's story and lessons learned, show that peace and freedom is a fight, it is not something we can will to happen, but it is God's will for us to live in that place. This book is worth picking up, because while others can feel like self-help this one feels more like a humble conversation over coffee. This story is eye opening and beautiful, I should know because I have read many many books on this topic. Trust me, you will not regret this one or walk away feeling deflated or hopeless when it comes to the fears in your life. Thank you Maria for your words!
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This book has changed the way I deal with fear and anxiety. Maria Furlough is like a friend who comes alongside us in our fear and lovingly guides us through God's Word to find His peace. Maria's heartfelt sharing of her story in this compelling book will inspire you to acknowledge your deepest fears but not let them continue controlling you. I encourage you to take this journey of breaking the fear cycle in your life and experience the peace God offers to His children.
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People face situations that cause worry and anxiety almost daily and some of these can lead to disabling fear. Author Maria Furlough has chosen to write about her own experiences with fear and the ways that she has learned to deal with it and she also shares the fear-filled situations of other people in her new book "Breaking the Fear Cycle". Two of the methods she has found successful to find peace for her anxious heart are going to God in prayer and seeking guidance through His Word. This book is filled with Bible passages that have strenghtened her and guided her in her own journey with fear and she has added an appendix titled In Case of an Emergency that allows you to easily find an applicable verse to ease any fears you may face. There are also Questions for Reflection at the end of each of the eleven chapters and a Leader's Guide to use if a group study is desired. Maria Furlough has used her personal experiences to help others and I believe that this book is so very relevant to today's society. Breaking the Fear Cycle is a wonderful resource!
I received a copy of this book from the author but this is my own personal opinion. No review was required.
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Maria Furlough is a top-notch writer. I have enjoyed getting to know her through this powerful book.
She opens with her heartbreaking story of learning that her baby boy would be born with a fatal birth defect. He would survive for only a short period, and her fears threatened to overtake her mind, heart, and soul when the diagnosis was delivered.
As a mother of three, I can only imagine the pain and suffering she went through. I had perfectly healthy pregnancies, but I was still plagued with worries of the unknown threats when my babies were in my womb. But Maria’s story transcends her pregnancy and the few precious hours with her baby Gideon. This book wields a powerful weapon against the deep-seated fears every one of us faces.
I think women are particularly prone to fear. I haven’t met a woman who didn’t struggle with it in one way or another. Fear is a powerful weapon the enemy uses to keep us in bondage.
Maria uses deep scriptural insight and poignant personal stories to show how God can set us free from our fears and offer real, lasting, breathing hope within them.
I’ve been a fearful person most of my life, and I’m always searching for books that can help me conquer my fearful tendencies. Without reservation, I can say this is the best book I’ve ever read about facing fears and winning the war against them.
Here are some of my favorite quotes from Breaking the Fear Cycle I just cannot get out of my head (in the best way):
- Every time I give in to a fearful thought, I am taking a bite from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil all over again.
- Once we gaze upon our fears with honest indignation, we can see that, yes, God is bigger than even the worst thing we can imagine.
- Pain is actually doing something. It is not arbitrary, worthless, or endless. It’s doing a work in us that cannot be done any other way.
- Instead of living in perpetual fear of the pain and suffering that might happen, let’s live each day in freedom.
- May we figure out how to fight fear and walk the road toward peace hand in hand.
Thank you to Baker Books for a free preview copy of this wonderful book. I also purchased my own copy--it's that good!
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Fear causes us to look at life situations in unique ways. There is cautious fear and also, fear so strong that you can't move. In this amazing book, the author shares her own life experiences of fear and how she has learned to lean on God in all situations. Fear can arise at any time. The way we deal with fear can affect our daily living. Prayer and looking to God for help will guide us along the way. Scripture and personal examples and the stories of others who have battled fear are included. This is a great resource for all who are experiencing fear. I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my own personal honest opinion. No review was required.
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