Can you imagine a life with no fear?
It is that question that lies at the heart of Max Lucado’s new book Fearless. In it he
explores the possibility of a life lived without fear. At a time when the world seems in upheaval – what with the threat of terrorism, economic recessions, a climbing unemployment rate, political tension that is through the roof, a struggling stock market, familial tensions, growing concerns about immigration, drug cartel, and global warming (to name a few) – Lucado’s message is timely and needed. But it is not so primarily because we could use the encouragement at times like these, but because Lucado speaks the truth: as children of God, we need not fear.
It is Jesus’ question that Lucado first highlights: Why are you fearful, O you of little faith? (Matthew 8:26) And it is that question that becomes the central thesis of the book as Lucado skillfully and vividly points out to us own fears: of not mattering, of disappointing God, of running out, of not protecting our families, of overwhelming challenges, of worst-case scenarios, of violence – there’s more. In fact, that’s only half that Lucado highlights.
But as Lucado progresses through each chapter, he dives deep into our fearful condition, exposing the deceit that lies at the root. He does this, not by offering trite and cliché “Christian” answers, but by pointing us to the very real, very legitimate fears that our Christian predecessors also faced – and how Christ overcame them. He concludes by pointing to the one healthy fear: the fear of God. Not only is this fear not poisonous like our other fears, but it’s the foundation for learning to be fearless. “When Christ is great, our fears are not,” says Lucado.
One major strength that Lucado offers is his own experience and vulnerability. In fact he begins the book by telling his late brother’s story who died just after Lucado started writing the manuscript for this book. He admits to his own fears and acknowledges his own weaknesses. In doing so, we find not a professional who is taking us along a path he knows well, but a fellow sojourner asking questions, looking for truth, and stumbling forward.
Another strength is Lucado’s talent for finding just the right words and images. Aside from the various pieces of poetry he quotes, his writing is nearly poetic itself – gentle and conversational, with a rolling, consistent rhythm that sets the reader up for puns, sarcasm, and punch lines. When you read Lucado’s words its like reading your own disheveled thoughts organized for the first time, named, and subsequently robbed of their power which thrives in remaining unknown.
Read this book and you’ll agree. In the meantime, enjoy:
“Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did that. People who refused to consult or cower to their timidities did that. But fear itself? Fear herds us into a prison and slams the doors.”
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Book Review, Christianity, Fear, God, Jesus, Pain
