Taylor Joy Murray

Stop Saying I’m Fine isn’t a self help, practical instruction book regarding anxiety. Instead it is a book that reads like a beautifully scripted memoir in which the author invites you to join in on her journey of struggle and seeking healing, married with the wisdom of experience she shares.

This book would be helpful for any struggling with anxiety, depression, shame, self-hatred, rejection and similar issues as it mentions so many of the unhelpful thoughts and lies we sometimes believe.

One helpful suggestion mentioned in the book is that we need to dig deep and search out what is causing our anxiety, which means “listening to our thoughts, revisiting our stories, and seeking to identify those fears, patterns, and beliefs that can trigger our bodies’ biological responses.” This takes us far closer to discovering the cause of our anxiety versus advice simply to cast our cares on the Lord and just trust or pray more.

I also appreciated how the book clarifies that the feeling of anxiety is not a sin. Worry is sin, yes, and actions or responses that stem from anxiety can be sinful, but the emotion itself is not. The last chapter was especially rich, focusing on true community.

One issue I had: I usually don’t mind whatever Bible version someone cites. However, Scripture quotes from the newer Passion “Translation” of the Bible were used and this is problematic because the TPT translator has an agenda to spread the unbiblical teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation (from churches like Bethel Redding of Bethel Music fame) through how many of the passages are translated similar to how JWs changed things in the Bible to reflect their erroneous teaching.

I received a review copy of this book for free from Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.… (plus d'informations)

The author describes her life experiences with mental health challenges and how she was able to find a more healthy place through faith and support.

The author tells the story of her late teenage years into her early twenties. Many others will likely find a lot of points of connection with her and the story she tells. She intends, by telling her story, to encourage people, particularly Christian women, to find support, health, and healing from God and a support system to endure and overcome many such challenges.

It takes courage to be willing to not just write out one's story but also to share it to the whole world. The only comment I would make is while it is good for the author to warn about what the Enemy might be up to, a consideration of the work of the powers and principalities, the systemic nature of things, might also have been helpful, and not just to understand everything in the framework of a person making autonomous decisions and remaining in full control without other such influences involved.

A work definitely geared more to a specific audience of younger Christian women, and they may profit from the perspective here given.

**--galley received as part of early review program… (plus d'informations)