Max Lucado Reveals Keys to Being Fearless

Of late, Americans seem to be living lives filled with fear: fear of layoffs, fear of foreclosure, fear of swine flu, fear of Al-Qaeda, and fear of that strangely discolored mole that has suddenly appeared on our skin. The list of angst-producing elements appears endless.

Max Lucado, dubbed by Christianity Today as "America's Pastor", offers keys to dealing with our worries in his latest book, Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear. (Thomas Nelson, $24.99)

Lucado, who is currently the Minister of Writing and Preaching at the non-denominational Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, based this book on an 11- part sermon series that he first taught to his home congregation.

Just don't expect Lucado to ignore the dangerous and unsettling times in which we live. Or, to pontificate innumerable, useless Christian clichés. Fearless presents workable, faith-based solutions to real-life difficulties.

"There's a stampede of fear out there," he writes in one chapter. "Let's not get caught in it. Let's be among those who stay calm. Let's recognize danger, but not be overwhelmed. Acknowledge threats, but refuse to be defined by them."

He does not merely suggest that we stop being driven by our fears. He gives us a road map to learning to drive around them.

The book, which took two years to write, opens with the poignant story of the death of Lucado's brother and his brave final moments, followed by a retelling of a Biblical story where even Jesus' closest followers found themselves deeply afraid, and moves onto a plethora of Scripture calling for people to be courageous. And, that's just the first chapter.

Lucado deftly weaves tales of human struggles with Biblical teachings to produce a relevant, recognizable diagnosis of our current condition. His inspirational prescription is simple and concise: Concentrate on the things you can do something about and leave the rest to God.

"Don't attempt to control the uncontrollable. Instead, focus on what you can control: your thoughts, your values, your words, your choices," he eloquently writes.

Throughout the book, reminders abound that our fears do nothing but steal our joy, our creativity, even our health. Lucado dares readers to take it all back by releasing the negative forces of fear that have enslaved us. He has included a three-part discussion guide at the end of the book for those willing to take on the challenge. The guide is tied to individual chapters and provides additional Bible verses for study and questions for introspection.