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Broken by Fear, Anchored in Hope: Faithfulness in an age of anxiety
'Has the power to plant seeds of hope in your heart that when the storms come, it’s possible not to be afraid.’ – Rachel Gardner
‘Disarmingly honest, powerfully disruptive and reassuringly scriptural. A rare and precious gift.’ – Krish Kandiah
One in four of us will experience mental health problems but true resilience is ours for the taking.
When shame, fear and despair threaten to fill us, it can be all too easy to resort to self-medicating through consuming, working, or other distractions. Rob Merchant has tried them all and discovered they don’t deliver.
Drawing on his own experience, Rob shows how healing starts when we acknowledge and accept our vulnerability. Knowing our place before God and surrendering wholly to Christ, we can discover forgiveness and always find hope.
‘Disarmingly honest, powerfully disruptive and reassuringly scriptural. A rare and precious gift.’ – Krish Kandiah
One in four of us will experience mental health problems but true resilience is ours for the taking.
When shame, fear and despair threaten to fill us, it can be all too easy to resort to self-medicating through consuming, working, or other distractions. Rob Merchant has tried them all and discovered they don’t deliver.
Drawing on his own experience, Rob shows how healing starts when we acknowledge and accept our vulnerability. Knowing our place before God and surrendering wholly to Christ, we can discover forgiveness and always find hope.
- GenresChristian
160 pages, Paperback
Published June 18, 2020
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 4, 2020
Broken by Fear, Anchored by Hope gives real insight into the issues of fear, anxiety and depression through a recounting of the personal experiences of the author. It is a story of immense hope in Jesus Christ, whilst living with the realities of brokenness. Many of us will be able to relate to elements of the narrative, but the strand of hope woven through the book offers moment's of joy and light amongst darkness.
The book is brutally honest about the struggles of anxiety and depression, of traumatic life events, yet in the end and without dismissing the truth of those things gives you hope that no matter what you might face, you can conquer fear through a faith in a saviour who cares and loves so deeply that He is a constant reassurance. It is deeply and thoroughly scriptural and weaves relevant passages into the tapestry portraying the story.
It made me cry, it gave me joy, I read it for the first time in one sitting and will undoubtedly read it again and encourage others to do the same. Even if you would say have never struggled with any of these issues, I would encourage you to read this, it strips away the darkness and concealment there often is around this subject and enables a level of understanding that will help you relate to those you know that have these issues, it might even bring home a few truths in your own life.
In the end this is a book of hope, however many hurts there have been and may continue to be, hope shines out.
The book is brutally honest about the struggles of anxiety and depression, of traumatic life events, yet in the end and without dismissing the truth of those things gives you hope that no matter what you might face, you can conquer fear through a faith in a saviour who cares and loves so deeply that He is a constant reassurance. It is deeply and thoroughly scriptural and weaves relevant passages into the tapestry portraying the story.
It made me cry, it gave me joy, I read it for the first time in one sitting and will undoubtedly read it again and encourage others to do the same. Even if you would say have never struggled with any of these issues, I would encourage you to read this, it strips away the darkness and concealment there often is around this subject and enables a level of understanding that will help you relate to those you know that have these issues, it might even bring home a few truths in your own life.
In the end this is a book of hope, however many hurts there have been and may continue to be, hope shines out.
June 9, 2020
This is a book I needed to read but didn’t know it. Dealing with shame, story, abuse, forgiveness, reconciliation, mental health, love, adoption and hope this easily readable and digestible book is punching well above its 160 page weight. Rob’s writing took me on a journey of pain, joy, hope, and love.
I have to admit straight off to knowing Rob a little, as a student at the theological college where he teaches. Rob is a humble, honest and Godly man and that comes across loud and clear in this book.
I hadn’t really thought that this book would speak to me, I was reading it out of interest in the author, but the themes of shame, story, forgiveness and hope are ones that spoke deep into my soul. It reminded me that I am imperfect but perfectly loved, as we all are, and that I am called to be me, just as I am, and in that God loves me perfectly and completely.
Rob writes about his visit to Rwanda and I was privileged to be part of that trip. As he recounted his experiences of hearing the stories of forgiveness and reconciliation I was immediately transported back, and God spoke again to me about what I had seen and heard there. It nudged me to discomfort at how I had forgotten some of the lessons I’d learnt there.
It seems especially fitting at this time of global pandemic, of unrest, a time when Black Lives Matter has entered the forefronts of the global media and protest, that in this book Rob talks about reconciliation coming through understanding of ‘other’, forgiveness as acted, intentional and lived out, finding ways to live in Christ as we have all been forgiven. This image of the body of Christ, made up of vastly different people, bound together by a common Saviour, seems to be a beacon for our times. In this there is great hope for a transformed world.
I also greatly appreciated Rob’s gentle but clear explanations of shame, and the need to forgive oneself. Not an easy topic, but written honestly and accessibly.
In one sense an easy, fast read; in another a piece of writing that will grab you, niggle at you and force you to engage in things that are not always comfortable. Great work.
I have to admit straight off to knowing Rob a little, as a student at the theological college where he teaches. Rob is a humble, honest and Godly man and that comes across loud and clear in this book.
I hadn’t really thought that this book would speak to me, I was reading it out of interest in the author, but the themes of shame, story, forgiveness and hope are ones that spoke deep into my soul. It reminded me that I am imperfect but perfectly loved, as we all are, and that I am called to be me, just as I am, and in that God loves me perfectly and completely.
Rob writes about his visit to Rwanda and I was privileged to be part of that trip. As he recounted his experiences of hearing the stories of forgiveness and reconciliation I was immediately transported back, and God spoke again to me about what I had seen and heard there. It nudged me to discomfort at how I had forgotten some of the lessons I’d learnt there.
It seems especially fitting at this time of global pandemic, of unrest, a time when Black Lives Matter has entered the forefronts of the global media and protest, that in this book Rob talks about reconciliation coming through understanding of ‘other’, forgiveness as acted, intentional and lived out, finding ways to live in Christ as we have all been forgiven. This image of the body of Christ, made up of vastly different people, bound together by a common Saviour, seems to be a beacon for our times. In this there is great hope for a transformed world.
I also greatly appreciated Rob’s gentle but clear explanations of shame, and the need to forgive oneself. Not an easy topic, but written honestly and accessibly.
In one sense an easy, fast read; in another a piece of writing that will grab you, niggle at you and force you to engage in things that are not always comfortable. Great work.
August 7, 2020
The first thing that strikes you about this book is its gut-wrenching honesty. Merchant doesn't flinch from sharing the difficulties he experienced in childhood, and the impact these have had on his relationships and emotional well-being. The book journeys from more negative emotions and feelings to positive ones, and I felt this was a helpful way to frame the author's own development. The book resists the temptation evidenced in some Christian writing to offer glib answers, which I find to be a more honest declaration of faith than a book which has all the solutions neatly sewn up. This book will be beneficial to those who are struggling with negative emotions - for whatever reason - and also for those who pastorally care for them.
June 11, 2021
This is such a beautiful book. Rob Merchant’s vulnerability and honesty is inspiring, refreshing and powerful. Not oppressive, accusatory, condemning power. But liberating, hope-filled, soul-nourishing, life-nurturing, faith-stirring, walking-alongside-you power. This book is good news. As someone who wrestles with mental health, I can honestly say that we are in desperate need of more books like this.
—Tristan Sherwin, author of Love: Expressed, and Living the Dream?
—Tristan Sherwin, author of Love: Expressed, and Living the Dream?
August 5, 2021
This incredible book is honest, raw and vulnerable. And in being so it is a tangible commentary on redemption. For anyone who wants a real picture of what being a follower of Christ is about, this is for you. For anyone who wants to have glimpse of what it means to be a Christian, this is the book for you. If you struggle with mental health issues, forgiveness, hopelessness, or self esteem issues… this book is a realistic guide to hope. Thank you Rob.
September 29, 2020
Amazing book!
Brilliant book, full of much personally needed revelations and encouragement. I've been in the miry pit for a little while but motivated to adjust my sails! I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for hope in the midst of mental health struggles, or those loving someone who is!
Brilliant book, full of much personally needed revelations and encouragement. I've been in the miry pit for a little while but motivated to adjust my sails! I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for hope in the midst of mental health struggles, or those loving someone who is!
June 15, 2021
Beautiful
I learned so much from this open, vulnerable, honest book. Such faithfulness and hope are evident on every page. Heartbreaking and beautiful.
I learned so much from this open, vulnerable, honest book. Such faithfulness and hope are evident on every page. Heartbreaking and beautiful.
August 2, 2020
Such an encouraging little book which helps us see how childhood trauma can affect us into adulthood, and how we can move forward.
January 10, 2021
A stunning book; full of hope and help which is a must read for both people who've lived through mental illness, but also anyone who wants to understand more.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews