Walking on Water When you Feel Like You're Drowning

Walking on Water When You Feel Like You’re Drowning (Finding hope in life’s darkest moments) By Tommy Nelson and Steve Leavitt I was offered this book by Tyndale Publishers for free of charge in exchange for my honest review which I am giving in this writing. When I first chose this book to review, I was not thinking of much use for myself, but more of just a good general book about anxiety and depression in the Christian’s life. As I started to read, I could not put the book down and had to complete it in one sitting! I wish this book had been around 16 or 17 years ago when I went through this with my first husband. Every symptom, every feeling, everything he was experiencing that made him feel as if he was going to die…these authors write about from experience and from a Christian and clinical standpoint. Part of going through panic attacks and anxiety that is so disabling is that you do not know what is happening to you. We had no idea what was causing him to be experiencing the pacing, the high blood pressure, the sleeplessness, the heart racing, the mind racing. The doctors we visited ranged from not knowing what was going on to stating that he must be taking illegal drugs! Not a pleasant experience at that hospital! This book is going to be so valuable to the families as well as to those who have experienced panic attacks and anxiety and depression. It clearly lays out what is happening as well as providing Scriptures to help during these times and suggesting that medications can be used to control this disorder without having to feel guilty that as a Christian you should be able to “handle it” with God’s help. Tommy Nelson is a senior pastor in a large church. Steve Leavitt is a Christian Biblical counselor. Both have suffered themselves with anxiety and depression and write about it from their own experiences. This book explores these topics : • What causes anxiety, depression and obsessiveness • What is actually happening in your body • The problem with perfection • How Biblical thinking is crucial to recovery • When you should consider medication • And more! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with anxiety, depression or OCD as well as to family members or friends who know people that struggle with this. I believe this book will fulfill a need for the encouragement of those who are walking alongside people who are hurting. Sometimes when a person is going through this dark time, they cannot focus enough on reading to benefit, but if someone who cares can read this book and share with them during the periods of clarity, it will definitely help.