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Endorsements
When fear rises up, our first instinct may be to either completely avoid it or fall victim to worst-case scenarios. Maria Furlough offers an alternative, issuing the invitation to break the fear cycle altogether in this gentle and deeply personal book.
Emily P. Freeman, author of Simply Tuesday
Fear finds its paralyzing power in its ability to mentally transport us into imaginary places of pain where the reality of Gods presence, power, and provision never show up. Maria Furlough has written a helpful book filled with practical and real-life wisdom for breaking the cycle of fear and faithfully overcoming the harsher realities of life in a painful and broken world.
Larry Osborne, pastor, North Coast Church, and author
If youve ever had fear that kept you from freedom (and who among us hasnt?), then you have a friend in Maria Furlough. Drawing deeply from her own experience and with vulnerability and courage, Maria encourages us to step forward confidently in Christ. Her story will inspire you; her biblical knowledge and practical wisdom will help you break the fear cycle and move forward into peace. I couldnt put this book down, and I look forward to sharing it with everyone I know who struggles with fear and needs hope for a better future!
Nicole Unice, pastor, counselor, and author of Brave Enough
I met Maria Furlough in the middle of my fear. I was speaking at an event near her home. She knew I was battling anxiety so she came to me and prayed the words of Jesus over me: Fear not. Thats the woman who is guiding you through this journey. Shes someone who shows up to whisper fear not in your ear so you can be the woman God created you to be. In this book, Maria offers welcome wisdomearned in the trenchesthat will help you break the fear cycle and find the peace your heart longs for.
Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of The Happiness Dare and Love Idol
Maria is a trustworthy spiritual guide to so many people in our church, where she worships and serves. If fear and anxiety are unwelcome parts of your life, dont read this book. Instead, open your life up to Marias insightful mentorship by prayerfully interacting with these pages. Her story is both heart-wrenching and heart-freeing. With remarkable insight, she invites us to join her in the peaceful way of life Jesus offers to all.
Dr. Mike Moses, lead pastor, Lake Forest Church, Charlotte, NC; president, Evangelical Presbyterian denomination, 2015;adjunct faculty, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
From the moment Maria called and told me her deepest fear was coming true, I wondered how her life would change. Maria lived through her fear with a relatable humanity while releasing control, uncovering a life of true peace, and writing it all down along the way in this fear-to-freedom handbook. Grab a fresh set of highlightersyoure going to need them.
Myquillyn Smith, author of The Nesting Place
When were afraid, we dont need an optimist to deny our worries or a disciplinarian to condemn our anxiety; we need a truth-telling friend who points us to our Savior. Maria Furlough is that friend. In Breaking the Fear Cycle , she acknowledges our greatest fears and lovingly guides us through Gods Word to find our peace and confidence in the Lord.
Marissa Henley, author of Loving Your Friend Through Cancer
Dedication
To
My Jesus
My Dave
My sweet, sweet
Faith,
David,
Aaron,
Gideon,
and Sammy
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
1. Your Greatest Fear
2. You Do Have a Choice
3. Fear and Future Telling
4. I Will Trust
5. Wrestling Matches with God
6. Believing in the Bibles View of Suffering
7. Praying Faith-Filled Prayers, Not Fear-Filled Pleas
8. Gods Promises of Protection
9. Taking Jesus Up on His Offer of Peace
10. Living Differently, in Confidence
11. The Story of You
Leaders Guide
Appendix: In Case of an Emergency: Bible Verses to Post around Your Life
Acknowledgments
Notes
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
1
Your Greatest Fear
What is your greatest fear?
You know the onethe one that keeps you up at night, wide awake, unable to fall asleep because anxious thoughts of it coming true swirl around in your brain.
What is your deepest fear?
You know the kindthe kind of fear that pops into your mind and then never leaves. The kind of fear that starts with a small, itty-bitty idea and then grows into a full-blown panic attack because you actually have begun to believe that the fear is going to come true.
Lets be completely honest. If you are anything like me, you dont even want to take the chance of naming your fear out loud. Why? Well, because there is a tiny voice inside of you that tells you if you say it out loud, you just might jinx yourself. God fearing, God trusting, and God believing though you are, you will not take any chances when it comes to your greatest fear. Your greatest fear is your holy grail. Its yours to keep and obsess over, and you feel like there is simply nothing you can do about it.
Your fear just is. Its part of you, and you have come to accept it. Live with it. Cope with it.
I lived there once too. I lived so entrenched in fear that it became a driving force in my life without me even realizing it. Fear seeped into my relationships, my parenting, my marriage, and my home, and it found such a comfortable place in my days that I stopped fighting it.
This was me: I was the new mom, driving across town to get a much-needed nap at Grandma and Grandpas house. It was a joyous time. With a healthy baby girl in tow, I drove and thanked God for the gift of her life. I was a mom! A real mom! And it felt like heaven on earth. Then it happened. My internal dialogue went something like this:
God! Thank you so much for my daughter, Faith. I love her so much, more than I thought I could love!
Wait.
I love her so much.
I love her too much.
What would I ever do if I lost her?
Wait. What would I do if I got in a car accident?
Wait. Im driving over a bridge. What would happen if I got into a car accident and flew off this bridge into that body of water? How would I save her? What would I do?
I cant lose her. I love her too much! I would need to save her.
Then I would go home and do what any reasonable Christ-following woman would do. I would get on Biblegateway.com and search for verse that promises I will never drive off a bridge with my baby in the backseat.