He begins the book by sharing how he was driving on the expressway when he suffered from a panic attack. He was on the phone to his wife, Jill and they have been married for over 20 years. He had three children and he was the pastor of a large church, Red Rocks. He told his wife that he didn’t think he would be able to make it home. He was feeling very claustrophobic and his chest was tightening. His mind was going blurry and he felt like he needed to escape. He felt like this was the very end and he thought he would be forever in pain. He remembers pulling over and screaming and sobbing. His wife come with two of his friends and he told them that he quit and that he didn’t want to be a pastor anymore. They took him home and he was still shaking and he made them removed his guns from the house. He couldn’t trust himself. He needed a miracle from God. In the book, he went into details about how he was able to find freedom. He sought help from one of his pastor friends and he spend two weeks with different health professionals and then 7 weeks in counseling. He reminded readers that they aren’t crazy, alone, and that this will end. He touched on a little about how his father left town when he discovered he was going to become a dad. He never has met him. His mother had a heroin addiction and he was left on a stranger’s doorsteps with a note and a number to call. She was preparing to jump off a bridge but when she did, she survived with just a few broken bones. He shared how at 24 years old he tried to kill himself because he was struggling with depression. God was with him throughout all of these events. In the book, he will guide readers on how to deal with anxiety and what has worked for him.


I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is struggling with depression and anxiety. This book was really inspiring and contained tons of helpful suggestions. I immensely liked how he stated 20 Bible verses about who God is in every situation. These enclosed that we are loved, valued, accepted, more than a conqueror, just to name a few. These are great reminders meant to be studied. God’s word can help you get through it. I also enjoyed the discussions on weapons to use against the fight and how critical it is to use worship and prayer. I liked the topic of forgiveness and how we can heal and make the choice to forgive. I also liked the story about Brian and his wedding to Kelly and this would have been the smallest wedding he has ever officiated. At the time, he was busy playing the comparison game against other pastors and almost missed this opportunity. God used this story to change his life and readers will be shocked to hear Kelly’s story. This book is probably one of the best books I have read on the topic of anxiety and depression. The author’s story is very inspiring and will help readers in their battle.



“I received this book free from Thomas Nelson for my honest review.”

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! The title and this beautiful cover drew me in and i was excited to read this book! I will be recommending this book to others for readers advisory.

This is a very encouraging book for people who suffer from anxiety. I liked that it is an easy read, and not what I consider dry, psychological babble. I will recommend it for people to read!

The author, Shawn Johnson, describes his own personal battles with depression and anxiety and his faith-based approach to conquering them. Repeating the mantras: You are not crazy, you are not alone, and this will end is the central idea in his approach to helping someone deal with these mental issues. He also suggests worship, prayer and surrounding yourself or loved one with supporting family and friends as helpful along with traditional treatments such as counseling and medication if warranted. I feel this book could provide good insight for someone dealing with anxiety and depression. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Most helpful in my daily life and with others who also battle anxiety at different levels. A great resource dealing with anxiety. A book to keep on my shelf.

I really enjoyed attacking anxiety, but it only recently popped up in my "netgalley shelf" (recently meaning wednesday Dec 7, 2022). I didn't make a youtube video as I normally would because I purchased the book myself this summer.

Either way, the book was very helpful, based in Christian values, and a great read!

I believe many people would find the book to be helpful in dealing with anxiety/depression.

There is so much gold to be found in this book!

As a Christian and long-time sufferer of anxiety and depression, I found this book to be a wonderful blessing. Pastor Shawn does an eloquent job of articulating what anxiety is, how it manifests itself in our everyday lives, and how we can combat it.

It is truly one of the best biblical approaches and resources I have found in my years of seeking help. The Lord uses Pastor Shawn as a vessel to speak His truth and spread His love. This is the perfect resource for those in need of immediate comfort and understanding, a game plan for making lasting changes, as well as insight for loved ones who don’t suffer.

I found myself taking copious notes. There is so much wisdom to be gained throughout the book. It is something I will reread over and over again.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know!

I appreciate that Shawn uses his own personal experience as a lived example of having anxiety. I liked the affirmations and the general lay out of the book.

This is a book for those of a Christian faith who also suffer crippling anxiety and depression. As a reader I don’t really fit in these categories so the book didn’t sing to me the way I am sure it would for those better suited. There was good information and I am sure this book can offer comfortable to those seeking this.

I am not someone who struggles terribly with anxiety, but I was eager to get my hands on this book. The title sounded promising and I had no doubt that this would be a book I would want to press into the hands of those I come into contact with who do struggle with crippling anxiety. Having now read the book, I believe strongly that it will be a true gift to them in their journey to freedom. As Shawn says, “We’re all broken. We’re all just broken differently.” He also reminds us that “everyone is either in the middle of dealing with these things or knows someone who is.”

I knew Shawn and his wife Jill over 25 years ago as we volunteered in the same youth group in Illinois for a time. I admired them then and I believe their lives and their ministry are truly the “real deal.” This book and Shawn’s telling of his own journey is a refreshing firsthand look at both bondage and ultimately freedom.

I could definitely relate to the pressures of ministry he also described. And I think the 10% rule he discusses in chapter 9 is really true, we don’t show people ALL of our struggles and that is where we can get really stuck in feeling isolated, that 10% becomes invisible walls between us and others. “The people closest to you in life can’t fight for you if they don’t know you are in a fight.”

My thanks to Net Galley and Nelson Books for the opportunity to read this copy of Attacking Anxiety.

I did not realize this was a Christian book. Not my cup of tea. Sorry. I have anxiety and I hope this helps others.

Excellent and transparent read given by Shawn Johnson. He holds nothing back as he shares about his anxiety and how it has affected his life.

I have struggled with anxiety for years and was encouraged to see a book about attacking anxiety. It can feel like such a hard thing to discuss so I love that there are more resources out there. I appreciated that Shawn shared his story and gave some practical ways to help when you are struggling with anxiety.

I'm not really that into so called self help books but I really really struggle with anxiety and depression and wondered if this would give any useful tips.
As I suspected, with most things related to mental health there's a lot of the usual stuff, but actually in amongst it there was some helpful guidelines and little activities to practice. I will keep hold of those and keep using them when I'm struggling in future, and for that alone I'm very grateful.

One of the best last books I've read. So raw and honest and totally related to the actual world. Shawn gives us a perspective în his struggles and all the weapons we can use whenever we find ourselves in time of trouble.
Also, I can aknowledge that a recomendation by another will not let you pass by a wonderful book.

A must read for anyone who is suffering from any type of anxiety or depression or a mix of both. Shawn so eloquently writes this all while coming from a Christian perspective and makes readers truly feel they are not alone in their journey. Just because someone appears to have it all together on the outside, they are truly a different person on the inside. Shawn gives such incredible tactical steps to help those who are in the thick of anxiety and depression and ways to combat stress. Highly recommend and will recommend for anyone who is suffering silently and openly.

Title: Attacking Anxiety: From Panicked and Depressed to Alive and Free by Shawn Johnson

Shawn Johnson is a lead pastor at the Red Rock Church. Full disclaimer, I didn’t know who he was before I read the book and I have zero word familiarity with Red Rock Church.

What I appreciated about this book was that it’s an easy read. Johnson’s writing style is very forward and simple; I don’t mean that negatively, either. The difficulty I’ve found with some #selfhelp style books is that authors get too technical. Most people don’t want the science behind the issue, they want relatable stories and clear cut steps to begin their journey to achieving success. I felt this book gave that in spades.

Also, full disclosure, religion plays virtually no role in my life. Like the author I also lost my father to suicide but unlike the author I never reached a breaking point that lead me to church. As a non-religious person I wasn’t distracted by the Bible versus’ used or the Biblical stories that reinforced points.

Another thing that I appreciated was the authors push to seek out professional help. The majority of people need intervention from a mental health specialists and for some the use of medication. While the author never specifically says anything about antidepressants, I wanted to note that those are also a factor in treatment plans.

I would like to thank @netgalley, author Shawn Johnson and publisher, Nelson Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I needed this book! I read this book during a period when I wasn't feeling well and had a lot of panic attacks and it truly helped me. If you struggle with the same issues I couldn't recommend it more.

I suffer from crippling anxiety during to chronic pelvic pain. I feel always on edge, jittery and borderline crazy for feeling this way. Reading Shawn's personal struggr with anxiety as a Christian was relevant. The book is encouraging, instructional, and a look at the pain of anxiety. It is so good to know that you are not crazy, you are not alone, and this will end.