Be Not Anxious

Anxiety is the constant companion of modern society, and Christians are in no way immune from its attack. It is unsurprising, then, that so many believers go to their church leaders for advice, help, and solace. This remarkably helpful little book draws on narrative approaches to theology and counseling to suggest how pastoral caregivers may effectively minister to anxious persons and help assuage their anxiety. Be Not Anxious provides pastors and caregivers with a basic grasp of anxiety, including how to identify those suffering from it and to understand what makes them anxious in the first place. Allan Cole then focuses both on cognitive-based methods and on common faith practices – church membership, frequent worship, prayer, Bible reading, service, and confession – showing how these may provide relief from anxiety. Cole argues that this common condition – the “disquieted soul” – is at base a spiritual condition that calls for spiritual attention. By addressing the roles of both psychiatry and ministry as co-liberators from anxiety, he leads the pastor and faith community in assisting such a souls to find rest.