LIVING WITHOUT FEAR: USING THE PSALMS TO END YOUR WORRY AND ANXIETY, by Kirsten Birkett

A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance 

by Kirsten Birkett  

 

About the Author 

With this “Bonus” Book Summary we introduce our readers to the works of Kirsten Birkett. Kirsten is a theological writer and former lecturer in ethics and philosophy, who lives in the beautiful north of England and works with us here at Books At a Glance. She is the author of multiple books and especially likes to write about how God’s truth transforms lives. Her Living Without Fear is her most recent book, and we will list some of her other works at the end of this summary.  

 

Contents 

Introduction
Part I: The Basics
Chapter One: I lie down and sleep (Psalm 3)
Chapter Two: Keep me safe, my God (Psalm 16)
Chapter Three: Why have you forsaken me? (Psalm 22)
Interlude: Why don’t we have a chapter about Psalm 23?
Part II: What God is like
Chapter Four: God’s strength (Psalm 29)
Chapter Five: God’s goodness (Psalm 27)
Chapter Six: God’s mercy (Psalm 30)
Chapter Seven: God’s greatness (Psalm 33)
Chapter Eight: God’s forgiveness (Psalm 51)
Part III: Specific Fears
Chapter Nine: Fear of other people (Psalm 59)
Chapter Ten: Fear of aging (Psalm 71)
Chapter 11: Fear of government (Psalm 72)
Conclusion: How to be blessed (Psalm 32) 

 

General Summary

This book examines a selection of Psalms, and applies the theology found therein, and its fulfilment in Christ, specifically to the pastoral problems of fear and anxiety. Each chapter ends with a ‘To Do’ section with application points. The book is published with an accompanying workbook (containing Bible studies for personal or group use) and a journal for written reflection.

 

Introduction

The most frequent command in the Bible is “do not fear,” yet many Christians struggle not to worry. Bible teaching churches often teach that eventually right emotions will follow if a disciple perseveres in reading the Bible and striving to be godly, but many Christians find that the process of moving Bible truths from the head to the heart is very slow. It is important to educate our hearts with the truth, especially when the world provides so many alternative voices. 

 

Part I: The Basics 

 

Chapter One: I lie down and sleep (Psalm 3)

Sleep is a great restorative gift from God, but it can be the first casualty of worry. And being sleep-deprived can in turn feed anxiety, as we get things out of proportion. There are practical aids that can help sleep; but “even more important are the beliefs of our hearts.” Fear could reveal that our hearts have not fully absorbed the truth about God.

David had plenty of reason to fear in Psalm 3 and yet could write “I lie down and sleep.” He was not in denial about the situation, but his belief in God calmed his fear. We cannot apply everything in David’s life to ourselves, since he was God’s anointed king; yet as a man living a life of faith, we can follow his example of knowing who God is and finding comfort in that. We have even more reason than David to trust God’s faithfulness for we know God’s love in Christ. . . .

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