Fearless

The latest book from Max Lucado hits bookstores today. Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear tackles that which “has taken a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop.” (5) Fear. As Lucado points out, “We fear being sued, finishing last, going broke; we fear the mole on the back, the new kid on the block, the sound of the clock as it ticks us closer to the grave.” (5) Fearless leads us into our fears by helping us admit their existence, captivating and inviting narratives, and an intense focus on Jesus. I would highly recommend the book to anyone looking for a handle on fear.

First, in Fearless, Lucado helps us stare our fears in the face. In the fifteen chapters, we encounter the following fears: insignificance, disappointing God, health, kids, challenges, worst-case scenarios, violence, death, what’s next, God’s absence, global catastrophes, and God getting out of our boxes. Whether I thought I struggled with the specific fear mentioned in a chapter or not, there was something in each chapter that helped me recognize ways in which I am susceptible to fear that I did not realize. I appreciated Lucado’s inclusion of fears specific to individuals or individual families and fears on national or global scales. He understands the global and local characteristics of the 21st century. Fearless honestly unveils a wide spectrum of fears, and does not allow the reader to sidestep any of them.

Second, in typical Max Lucado style, Fearless shares powerful narratives that allow readers to laugh, cry, contemplate, anticipate, and join the storyline of the book. Whether it is the opening story of his brother’s death, the twist-at-the-end story of the conversion of “Jack,” or the story of the woman who did not believe the man standing in front of her was Max Lucado, each narrative presents an opportunity for the reader to identify with the characters, consider their own reactions to the plot, and enter into a readiness to deal with the specific fear being presented. Lucado’s books always offer inviting stories, and Fearless does not disappoint.

Third, Fearless moves effectively from welcoming narratives to biblical narratives often involving Jesus and his disciples. In each biblical narrative presented, Jesus is the star of the story, and Lucado reveals how he confronts and overcomes any and all forms of fear. We experience Christ walking on water, feeding thousands, calming storms, and transfiguring on Mount Hermon. Lucado challenges and encourages readers by exposing the disciples’ fears and Jesus’ reassurances. Also, on several occasions, in the midst of these biblical narratives, Lucado provides bullet lists of Scriptures that readers might want to post on their bathroom mirrors or car dashboards. The biblical narratives lead readers to Jesus, the One who reassures us: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

Like a light shining into the darkness of a world filled with terror threats, financial collapses, and unsightly doctor’s reports, through honesty, stories, and an eye toward Christ, Fearless empowers readers to fear less. The book is a quick, piercing read that I highly recommend.