This book spoke directly to my anxiety attacks. They usually happened when my husband was gone to harvest and no one was around to calm me down. I have a strong faith in Jesus Christ but the enemy knew exactly how to convince me I was alone. Dr. Bengtson knows just how to relieve those fears. She helps us work through all the anxiety. It is very helpful and well-written. Whether it is for you, you will want an extra book or two to share!

Dr. Michelle Bengston has penned another encouraging book for those of us who struggle with such issues as anxiety, fear, and worry. While she has a wealth of knowledge as a professional neuropsychologist, it’s her relatability as a woman who has had her own struggles with anxiety that makes Dr. Bengton’s book, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip-How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises, so powerful.

Rich with personal stories of hope, Dr. Bengston shares practical, scriptural steps the reader can step into as she moves into freedom from worry and into Christ’s peace.

Each chapter concludes with a section called “Your Rx” which entails Bible study and application, a prayer, and a recommended playlist of five to seven praise and worship songs.

Good practical information on dealing with anxiety. It is good to hear from a doctor that has both dealt with depression and anxiety on her own and has helped others with it as well. I appreciate that she looks at things with a Christian perspective.

"When the spirit of fear comes to taunt and haunt us, we can choose to refute his lies with God’s truth. Then we can maintain our peace because we trust God to be true to his Word."

If you suffer from fear and anxiety, you need this book. It will give you the tools you need to effectively combat the urge to give yourself over to those things that are causing your anxiety and achieve the peace that you have been chasing after.

Do yourself a favor and get this book.

Just a great book. Thankful for this tool to use in my counseling practice. It is one that I think anymore could benefit from. Thankful for opportunity to read an early copy.

Very thought provoking. A staple in your library to go back to whenever you are attacked with anxiety.

I received an arc from NetGalley for an honest review. This is another book about anxiety. I did not learn anything that was new to me that I could use.

I have suffered with anxiety for most of my life, probably about the last 35 years. My daughter also suffers from anxiety in a much worse way than me. This book is giving me so much hope for both of us. This book reminds me that God is here, with me and my daughter. We are not alone. And with God all things are possible.

The author shares her own experiences and it is so easy to see where she could've completely given up and even doubted God. Her experiences show me that she knows what she is talking about, because she has been through so much...just like the rest of us. I truly beleive that people who really read this book, I mean really take in what it says...lives can be changed. God has spoken through the author, Michelle, and we just to listen, trust, obey and let go of all that is wearing us down.

Please trust me when I say that if you or someone you know suffers from anxiety you and they need this book. It's amazing, it really is.

This is a great resource to have for myself and for helping others that deal with this issue. I really liked the ending of each chapter with specific questions/challenges, scripture to look up and memorize and a prayer for the reader.

"Breaking Anxiety's Grip" is one of the most helpful books I've ever read about the issue of anxiety. The author mixes Scripture with personal anecdotes to illustrate her points. Each chapter ends with verses to read, questions to answer, and songs to listen to. I will be buying a paper copy of this book so I can highlight some of the most helpful passages.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

"Breaking Anxiety's Grip" is about fear, anxiety, and worry from a Christian perspective. The author started off by defining the differences between these three, then she talked about their root cause: lack of trust in God. After that, she talked about Bible verses about why we should trust God and how to fight fear, anxiety, and worry. She suggested things like reading Scripture, memorizing verses, and saying them out loud when combating fear. She also talked about gratitude, worship, having a journal of answered prayer, and things like that. Each chapter included personal stories of people who battled fear and how they handle it now. At the end of each chapter, she had questions that help the reader apply what was learned in that chapter. She also included suggested verses to memorize and songs to listen to. Overall, I'd recommend this useful and encouraging book.

I'm not done reading yet, but I wanted to post before the book is archived. I have been battling anxiety for the past fifteen years. I requested this book a few months ago but was only approved a few weeks ago. This book couldn't have come at a better time for me as my mother was just diagnosed with cancer.
I have read many books on anxiety, but have not read one as helpful or relevant to myself as this one. Each chapter is overflowing with encouragement from Dr. Michelle. I feel like she is a friend who has come alongside me during this storm and is holding my hand as I take each day and face it one step at a time. I am especially loving the Rx. section at the end of each chapter. As she encourages me to commit scripture to memory and wonderfully lists anxiety fighting worship songs for me to fill my heart and mind with. These have been immensely helpful to me as well. I totally recommend reading this book if you struggle with anxiety or even if you are going through a difficult time in your life.

Thank you so very much for the free e-copy of this book. The words and thoughts are like liquid gold that comfort my mind and heart and point me towards my Savior. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own. .

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed reading this. An interesting story with fun characters. Well written.

(4 stars) - dealing with anxiety from a spiritual perspective

This helpful book examines what anxiety is, as well as the symptoms, and triggers that are typically involved. The first half (chapters 1 - 6) addresses recognizing the various avenues by which anxiety enters our lives. The second half (chapters 7 -11) addresses the various avenues by which we can process anxiety back out with God's help..

Each chapter provides Scriptural quotes and parallels, various other quotes, anecdotes, Scripture "prescriptions" to use as needed, prayers, and even song playlists. This is a really useful, multifaceted approach, though with God always central to them all.

My one disappointment is that it didn't even mention the many natural resources like vitamins, herbs & essential oils that God has given us that can help. However, I very much appreciated the positive approach as anxiety makes it so easy to over-focus on the negatives.

I was excited to see this book, Breaking Anxiety's Grip by Dr. Michelle Bengtson was available to review.  Anxiety is something that I battle sometimes. I was encouraged to see a book that was written by doctor but that also included Gospel hope. I think the combination of the two makes for an important and valuable book. If anxiety is something you or a loved one faces, I encourage you to read this book. It will give you great insight and truth.

I was blessed to receive an electronic copy via the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A powerful formula for letting go of anxiety, fear, and worry

Dr. Michelle Bengtson’s latest book speaks to a rampant facet of today’s society. How many of us succumb to worry, fear, and anxiety over life’s speedbumps? I dare to say anyone who’s human has room for improvement in this arena.

With great insight, examples, explanations, and action plans, Dr. Bengtson lays the framework for the old adage “letting go and letting God.”

As Dr. Bengston describes, our responses to life’s curveballs are choices. She has laid out an alternative path that requires letting go of control, saying ‘no’ to fear and worry, and praying, among others. These steps lead to greater reliance on God, and ultimately the peace we all yearn to have. However, the truth of the matter is these words on paper (or in cyberspace) are only meaningful if we truly take them to heart and choose different responses during challenging times.

Breaking Anxiety’s Grip is as much about God as anxiety. He is the answer – literally. Dr. Bengtson sprinkles inspirational tidbits throughout – such as, “God is trustworthy”, “God’s love is good no matter what”, and “Prayer is the most powerful gift we can offer others and ourselves”.

Each chapter ends with an Rx for your healing. It includes a relevant bible verse, self-reflection, a prayer for the reader, and a recommended playlist of applicable worship songs. The prayer and the music playlist are unique features that can enhance the reader’s journey.

Breaking Anxiety’s Grip paves the way for anyone who’s struggling with anxiety, fear, and worry, whether it be chronic or based on a particular circumstance. There are better choices you can make. Breaking Anxiety’s Grip will guide you to a more peaceful way.

How this book affected me:
I would say my overall anxiety level is generally low-to-medium, especially since my semi-retirement. :) I chose to read this book because I felt it was a relevant topic for today’s harried society. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that everything Dr. Bengtson wrote was applicable to whatever level of anxiety, fear, or worry the reader faces. There were many great lessons and examples included that reminded me to hand everything over to God and just trust Him. 4.5/5 stars.

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I chose to read an ARC from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This review is my honest opinion.

I joined her launch team to read this book, because I wanted to learn how to fight back when anxiety, and worry rear their ugly heads. I wanted to learned to identify when these lies try to steal my peace. And near the end of her book, she writes "This is exactly what we’ve discussed throughout this book. When the spirit of fear comes to taunt and haunt us, we can choose to refute his lies with God’s truth. Then we can maintain our peace because we trust God to be true to his Word." Words that gave me my answers.

Anxiety, stress and worry run rampant in the world today, and it affects everyone --- Christians and non-Christians alike. But whereas non-believers deal with stress as a part of life or not, believers who struggle with anxiety have the added burden of appearing “faithless” if they experience any undue amount of stress. Thankfully, this book by Christian neuropsychiatrist Dr. Michelle Bengtson focuses on the very tangible reality of anxiety in everyone’s life, but Christians should not feel ashamed or discouraged because of their own struggles with worry and fear. Dr. Bengston writes from her own experiences and difficulties with anxiety and worry, as well as offering up her own insights as a medical and psychological professional. The author is very open in the ways she has fought sometimes losing battles with anxieties, but also points the reader to the solutions that can only be found in God. Readers will not feel they are being lectured to to “buck up”, and not allow themselves to worry and fret; but will instead find a sympathetic and encouraging fellow pilgrim who offers to walk along with her audience and offer assistance in navigating the wild and rocky path of life. As someone who has struggled with anxiety all of my life, I can tell you this book is most engaging and comforting. An added value is the “Your Rx” section after each chapter which offer about 3 or 4 questions to ponder on to spark more prayer and thought, as well as suggested songs to life the heart and point the sufferer back to the One who brings peace and security to the lives of His children. Highly recommended!

Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises https://amzn.to/3098Qma
Dr. Michelle Bengston

Pretty much everyone has struggled with worry, anxiety, and fear, so everyone could benefit from this book. In her first two books, Dr. Bengston addressed depression—a companion she knew intimately. Once again, Dr. Bengston writes from the heart about something that plagues all of us—anxiety and their cohorts worry and fear.

Dr. Bengston starts by explaining the difference between the three emotions of worry, anxiety, and fear. She also explains panic and phobias. Unaddressed, each one of these emotions can negatively affect our lives.

The author intersperses personal anecdotes and stories from those who suffer from worry, anxiety, and fear so that the book never sounds like a textbook. Her engaging style makes it easy to understand both the clinical definitions of these emotions and the practical application of how deal with them.

I had no idea that brain chemistry and heredity contributed to worry, anxiety, and fear. Some people have a predisposition to these potentially crippling emotions through no fault of their own. Understanding this helps me view people with curiosity and kindness (rather than my usual impatience). This new knowledge helps me have more patience with myself, as well.

Dr. Bengston points out that, “medicines for anxiety can treat the symptoms but not the underlying causes.”

And that is where this book comes in.

According to Dr. Bengston, “While brain chemistry can impact mood and behavior, thoughts (e.g., ‘This place isn’t safe,’ ‘I can’t handlet his anymore,’ ‘I’m overwhelmed,’ etc.) actually impact brain chemistry.”

Based on this fact, Dr. Bengston lays out practical ways to take our thoughts captive so that we can regulate our brain chemistry and suffer less from the worry, anxiety, and fear.

Each chapter ends with a prescription (actions we can take to implement the lessons from the chapter), a prayer we can personalize to help us implement the lesson, and a playlist of inspirational music with messages that reinforce the truths.

Part memoir, part practical guide for reclaiming the peace God promises, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip will guide the reader to a better understanding of self and the Creator who wants to enter into relationship with us so that we can function at our finest. Whether you think you suffer from worry, anxiety, or fear or not, the book provides a wonderful resource for both self-reflection and tools to help us come alongside a fellow traveler who suffers.

This is such an incredibly needed book & is so very rich in Holy Scripture's!!!
I am having a good challenge in deciding what to share in my review?
Thank you Michelle for listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit in writing this book as I am stilling myself to hear that still small voice as to what I shall share?!!!
Please do yourself a favor and do not miss the opportunity to free yourself and others from Anxiety’s Grip.

Breaking Anxiety's Grip
Chapter 3:
You talk about your first memory of fear.
As I reflect I realize fear and anxiety are such a given in life that it is almost as though while reading your book I do not remember a time they were not present how sad is this?

So I think for myself to really just allow the that fact of recognizing fear, and anxiety so I can claim freedom would be a perfect starting place!

Also the never ending guilt when I recognize them and attempt to seek freedom
Michelle Bengtson · Marie Bride I think a key here is recognizing where that guilt is coming from. The enemy doesn’t play fair. First he tempts us (with worry or whatever) then he shames and guilt's us for giving into him.
Chapter 10:
Live in His Love through remembering:
What a challenge! To remember embrace and put into actions the unfathomable Love Christ Jesus has for us!
It truly is beyond our ability to understand.
And that being said thus we fall short our thought’s start dwelling there and the evil one attacks us in our weak spots with the fear, anxiety etc.

Chapter 11:
Living in Peace:
Now were talking like so many are afraid to talk about how the evil one attacks us but if we are truly in the frame of mind understanding Christ’s perfect Love we have to acknowledge the whole reason is because the evil one exists and attacks we have to cling to Christ as He is the only hope!