As someone who chronically struggles with fear/anxiety about all sorts of things, I've read a ton of books on the subject. Afraid of All The Things is definitely one of my favorite. Scarlet is utterly relatable (she voiced things I thought maybe I was the only weirdo who ever thought) and her humor adds levity without discounting the reality that sometimes what we fear actually happens. I so appreciated how she always brought it back to the gospel without offering unhelpful platitudes. I also loved how she connected their family's adoption story with our own adoption into the family of God. Loved it.

It is so rare people say they are afraid, yes we sometimes have fear of the unknowing, but what about the day to day things that actually scare us? And what do we do with that? For the people around us and our kids? And for us? Life is hard, and when you are looking at it through the eyes of fear, it can stop you in your tracks. This book points you to Jesus and his truth over and over. He is the one who conquers our fears and allows us to live in peace.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to request this one after I listened to an interview on The Happy Hour podcast with Jamie Ivey. Scarlet is so down-to-earth, and her love for the Lord is humbling and encouraging to me as someone that has found herself struggling with anxiety since becoming a mother. In Afraid of All the Things, Scarlet speaks with such candor that it often felt like sitting down and talking to a friend over a cup of coffee. Her honesty is so encouraging when you're in the thick of struggling with anxiety or worry. Even if you aren't, this book would be helpful to know how to be a good friend and a good listener for those that are.

Well-written, with the author sharing her stories and insights about overcoming anxiety. I was most intrigued with her experience with adoption and followed her instagram account for quite a while just to see how brave little Joy was doing!

If there was ever a book to read coming off of 2020, this has to be it. Let's just pause for a minute and review: wildfires, a global pandemic, the subsequent stock market crash and national toilet paper shortage, an impeachment trial, an election, murder hornets, hurricanes, and the list of things I didn't even know to be afraid of could continue. Afraid of all the things just feels like a great summary of the year. Anyways, let's just start this review by establishing that I am a naturally nervous person. As a result, I have read a lot about fear and overcoming it, and this is by far my favorite perspective.

First of all, Scarlet was so incredibly humble and real. A lot of times, Christian books about fear take a 'you just need to have more faith' approach. While their point may be valid, in my personal opinion it comes across as impersonal, a bit preachy, and just overall unhelpful for naturally nervous people. This was the exact opposite. Scarlet shared her fears over the years (irrational and not) in a way that was relatable, even though I've never been particularly paranoid about my appendix rupturing. She didn't approach the topic from a place of having all the answers, but as a friend sharing her experiences. Fear is a topic that is frequently associated with shame (especially in the Christian community) and so this approach was such a blessing.

Another thing that I loved is how engaging this book was. Scarlet did a wonderful job integrating humor into her writing, to the point that I laughed harder while reading this than I have in a while. She has lived a fascinating life (did you notice that her mom was on SNL?), and so her wide variety of stories all kept me fully absorbed.

Finally (and most importantly), her theology was on point. It was a perfect mixture of personal accountability and grace. People who are naturally nervous generally cannot just 'get over it,' like other books have implied. Overcoming fearfulness is a journey that must be pursued actively, despite the ups and downs that come along. Her constant emphasis on the Gospel was both encouraging and challenging.

Overall, this was an excellent book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who might be a bit naturally nervous.

This. Book.

If it were a number on the enneagram, it would be a lovable 6!!

To sit in Scarlet’s story, is to be known and loved exactly where you are. Thank you for the vulnerability needed to put these words on paper and for creating a space where others can be vulnerable too.

A must read to normalize the ups and downs of anxiety! Whether acute or chronic, the stories are relatable and soothing for the soul.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book SO MUCH. It’s almost like I wrote it. I have seriously had some of the exact same thoughts and just believed I was a crazy person! I think I knew subconsciously I had a problem with anxiety before, but I definitely know now after reading this book. I’ve had a lot of the same feelings too - maybe I’m not a good enough Christian because I worry about the most random things and I don’t give them over to God. I appreciate this author being so transparent because I could definitely relate and it reminded me that I’m not alone!

Scarlet Hiltibidal knows a thing or two about fear. She grew up in the green room of SNL, was born to a fire-eater and adopted by a SWAT cop, had internal organs explode, and adopted a deaf girl from China. Through all of these strange life experiences, Scarlet lived with fear.
Life didn’t change for Scarlet until she learned to hold the gospel up to her fears. She realized that though she can't fix herself or protect herself, Jesus walked into this broken, sad, scary place to rescue, love, and cast out her—and your—fear. We don't have to be afraid of all the things.
Filled with plenty of personal stories, Scripture verses and real-world applications, this book is part memoir and part Bible study. It did encourage me to continue reading Scripture and being honest with God about my fears.
I also appreciated the author’s reliance on God. Based on personal experience, she knows that He has worked miracles in her life in the past and will continue to work.
The writing is easy to read, engaging and funny - most of the time, I felt like I was sitting with a friend sharing coffee. But because the stories are not in chronological order, the book felt disjointed. I felt like I had whiplash because the book doesn’t flow well.
I also disagree with some of the author’s conclusions. In particular, she’s not a fan of medication for anxiety. While I agree that prayer can and does change things, medicine can be a necessity and not something to stigmatize, particularly in the Christian community where we aren’t often honest and real about mental health.
“Afraid Of All The Things” is a book for people with irrational, rational and life-long fears. Overall, it’s an optimistic book that encourages readers to rely on God through all the things.

Like author Scarlet Hiltibidal, I think most of us living through 2020 will admit we're "afraid of all the things." With the global pandemic, violence in the U.S., a depressed economy, and a contentious presidential election at hand, it's hard not to worry about everything from how to pay your rent to whether your kids will get sick at school.

Hiltibidal's answer to fear is: look to Jesus. Find rest and peace in Him. Be comforted by knowing that God is still in control, no matter how bad things look.

Thank you for writing this, Scarlet. Highly recommended.

How fortunate that a friend recommended “Afraid of All the Things” just a week or so before the global pandemic became a part of our everyday lives. Scarlet Hiltibidal’s book about everyday fears turned frights was a welcome—and unexpectedly humorous—guide to looking to Christ in the face of fears both big and small.

One of my greatest takeaways from the book was this: “The only way to have a soul that is deeply at peace, a soul that doesn’t fear death, is to believe that the Bible is true. The only way to really rest is by believing the gospel.”

I love how she repeatedly turns to scripture and her relationship with Christ as the only permanent solution to her fears. (And some of hers are, shall we say, unique?) And because Hiltibidal writes with all the honesty of an unabashed (if recovering) hot mess of a worrier, readers won’t feel they’re being talked down to. Instead, they’ll probably feel that they’ve just met a new friend with some wisdom they need. Highly recommended!

There are exactly one million things to be afraid of in this life. Scarlet writes to these things in "Afraid of All the Things". But she also writes to the power of God in dealing with the fearful things. I liked her creative and fun interpretation of a really crippling life of anxiety. I think she is inspiring and encouraging that there can be freedom from anxiety. I do not feel this book is heavy on the neurological/biological side of anxiety, definitely more focused on fighting it spiritually, but I think it could be a good resource!

Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for granting me early access to "Afraid of All the Things".

I'm currently in the middle of a major move, and will definitely come back at a later time and write out a full review and rating.

Thank you so much!

Scarlet Hiltibidal has gone through some scary things, to be sure. She has worked through many of these things with her faith in Jesus. She does make some helpful points in this book about fear.

"In light of the gospel, I saw that my fears, though many and rampant, do not define me."

"The gospel tells me I can’t fix myself. The gospel tells me I can’t protect myself. But the gospel tells me I can rest, knowing that Jesus walked into this broken, sad, scary place to rescue me and love me and cast out my fear."

But overall, I found the book to be more about platitudes, such as, "Safety, honestly, is not a thing. We’re not safe here, in this broken place. Not a single one of us. But we don’t have to be afraid. I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety. (Ps. 4:8)." True, but I didn't really need an entire book to remind me of that again and again.

My thanks to Net Galley for the review copy of this book.

This book was life changing for me. I am someone who suffers from sever anxiety. I never really considered myself fearful, but after reading this book I realized I am and I have been for a while. This book was a blessing to my anxiety-riddled soul. I closed it feeling much lighter than when I started. I whole heartedly recommend this book, especially for those who struggle with fear, anxiety, and even “control freaks”..

Sometimes I do choose a book by its cover, and this was one of those times. The title is catchy: “Afraid of all the Things”. I decided I wanted to see what the author would do with a book by that title, and I’m so glad I did. I love Scarlet Hiltibidal’s writing style. She shares her life-long battle with fear in an engaging way as she tells of anxiety she’s had since her childhood years. Using scripture, the author encourages us to hold our fears up to the light of the Gospel.

If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety and fear, you’ll find a non-judgmental friend in the author. While I enjoyed and smiled at some of her personal stories, I most appreciated her consistent use of God’s Word to help us face our fears. This would be a good book for a ladies’ book club/discussion group. I was encouraged by reading this and will keep it on my shelf as a reminder to trust God in all things.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I was intrigued by this book after many people I follow raved about it, but I just could not handle the voice or writing style of the author. It was a case of " it's not you, it's me." After hearing her on a podcast, I had the same experience but I can't say why for sure. Maybe there is a disconnect in our personalities? Our ways of seeing and experiencing the world?

I have a friend who actually is Afraid of all the things, I got this book for her, but then I wanted to give it a try. I found a lot of useful things inside. I don´t know I guess she will find it useful. I think that even when we are not scared or afraid of a lot of things it is very useful to learn about it because always someone around us is suffering about this. I have fear of other kind of issues in life, so I enjoyed the book. Now I don´t know if I´m going to keep it or give it to her... Probably I´ll have to get another :). P.S. I laughed in a lot of pages, I find her style hilarious!

I am not a religious person, but do suffer from severe anxiety so thought I would give this book a try. I found it to be helpful, even though I do not share the same beliefs as the author. I think that the most important thing I realized is that I am not the only one suffering from this.

When I read the title of this book, I was immediately hooked because that is me. The anxious one who is afraid of all things. As I dug into this book, I found myself nodding my head in understanding when I author shared stories about how her anxiety affected her life. I found comfort in reading about how the Truth is setting her free from her excessive worry. I also appreciated that while the author shared how Jesus is freeing her, she also described it as a daily process, and that she sometimes has setbacks. That transparency is really beneficial to someone who is suffering from anxiety, so that do not feel ashamed that they can't just trust in Jesus and instantly have no issues ever!

The author used humor and personal stories to address a difficult topic, which made the book an easier yet still meaningful read. Some quotes from the book that stood out to me were:

"God's Word is the answer to the questions you don't even know you have. It's the remedy for fear and selfishness and huffing and puffing."

"No matter where you suspect your anxiety might stem from, you should always be looking to God's Word, because as you seek Jesus, He brings you the assurance of your faith, which is more potent than any other prescription. Do you know what Jesus prescribes for the anxious heart? Prayer."

"But, because of the cross, where Jesus was already weak like we deserved to be and strong like we could never be, our spirits can rest all day every day in His strength."

"He.Will.Destroy.Death.Forever. We are all waiting together for Him to do that. Waiting in this scary place. And when that fear overtakes us, when it all feels too much, when we want to have the peace and we remember the words of God, but we still feel the pain of the scary things, we remember this: our fears are not forever. The only thing our fears will have forever is their own destruction."

I recommend this book for anyone who struggles with anxiety and needs a reminder of Who holds them in the palm of His hand.

The message that makes Scarlet’s book the kind that everyone should read is succinctly captured in the subtitle: Tornadoes, Cancer, Adoption, and Other Stuff You Need the Gospel For. We live in a world that is broken, and there are plenty of things to be afraid of. Some things—like sinkholes—many of us may never experience, but others—like death—will inevitably form part of all our stories. In Afraid of All the Things, Scarlet shares how she has learned to hold the gospel up to her fears. Through spending time searching through and soaking in the truths of Scripture, she’s learned to stand in the face of subjective worries and anxieties by standing on the objective truth of the saving, sustaining gospel of Jesus. What’s that truth? At no point does Jesus promise life with him will be free of tornadoes, cancer, or death; but he does promise his presence, and that is reason enough to no longer be afraid of all the things.
(click through for my full review)