Walking on Water Book Review

"Walking on Water When You Feel Like You're Drowning: Finding Hope in Life's Darkest Moments" by Tommy Nelson and Steve Leavitt



We have all had times in our lives when we have felt as if we were drowning.  At least, I know I have.  The title of this book interested me and so I chose to review it.  This book offers hope for people who suffer with symptoms from anxiety, obsessions, fear and depression.  The book is divided into three parts:
Part One ~ The Dark Descent, Part Two ~ Questions from the Depths of Despair, and Part Three ~ Keys to Recovery.  Nelson and Leavitt use personal experiences with anxiety disorder, panic attacks and depression to discuss symptoms, causes and how to recover.  They also use examples from counseling sessions with others. 
The authors offer hope and answers for how to overcome these symptoms and truly debilitating conditions.  "Remember this: Anything that feels like the end of the world is not what it appears to be.  Have hope.  God is the God of hope.  He is not a God of fear, worry, and stress.  Grab onto His hope like a lifeline, and cling to it."  They use many passages of scripture to show God's hope and that He is in control and has plans for His people.  One of the things I thought would be helpful for people struggling is the list of Lies and Truths: Lies the world tells us and Biblical Truths, a listing of Scriptures, which can help alleviate our belief in those lies. 
As someone who suffered from anxiety attacks in college, I could relate to those feelings of fear and panic as well as the greatest fear being, when might I have another one?  While I haven't had issues with this for many years, I remembered those feelings of helplesness as I read this book.  I also recognize these issues in other people that are in my life.  "We also know that God desires to use our trials for His glory and for others.  We should be willing to see how our suffering prepares us to minister to others who suffer."  Because of the experiences I have had in my own life, I can use those times to empathize with and help others who need it. 
This book is a good resource for anyone.  People who suffer from anxiety, depression and symptoms of stress will find comfort in the fact that they aren't going through this alone, as well as ways to cope with those symptoms.  If you do not suffer from it, you could still benefit from being able to support and help and understand others who are going through what is a terrible and debilitating time in their lives. 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.