Attacking Anxiety: From Panicked and Depressed to Alive and Free

He begins the book by sharing how he was driving on the expressway when he suffered from a panic attack. He was on the phone to his wife, Jill and they have been married for over 20 years. He had three children and he was the pastor of a large church, Red Rocks. He told his wife that he didn’t think he would be able to make it home. He was feeling very claustrophobic and his chest was tightening. His mind was going blurry and he felt like he needed to escape. He felt like this was the very end and he thought he would be forever in pain. He remembers pulling over and screaming and sobbing. His wife come with two of his friends and he told them that he quit and that he didn’t want to be a pastor anymore. They took him home and he was still shaking and he made them removed his guns from the house. He couldn’t trust himself. He needed a miracle from God. In the book, he went into details about how he was able to find freedom. He sought help from one of his pastor friends and he spend two weeks with different health professionals and then 7 weeks in counseling. He reminded readers that they aren’t crazy, alone, and that this will end. He touched on a little about how his father left town when he discovered he was going to become a dad. He never has met him. His mother had a heroin addiction and he was left on a stranger’s doorsteps with a note and a number to call. She was preparing to jump off a bridge but when she did, she survived with just a few broken bones. He shared how at 24 years old he tried to kill himself because he was struggling with depression. God was with him throughout all of these events. In the book, he will guide readers on how to deal with anxiety and what has worked for him.I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is struggling with depression and anxiety. This book was really inspiring and contained tons of helpful suggestions. I immensely liked how he stated 20 Bible verses about who God is in every situation. These enclosed that we are loved, valued, accepted, more than a conqueror, just to name a few. These are great reminders meant to be studied. God’s word can help you get through it. I also enjoyed the discussions on weapons to use against the fight and how critical it is to use worship and prayer. I liked the topic of forgiveness and how we can heal and make the choice to forgive. I also liked the story about Brian and his wedding to Kelly and this would have been the smallest wedding he has ever officiated. At the time, he was busy playing the comparison game against other pastors and almost missed this opportunity. God used this story to change his life and readers will be shocked to hear Kelly’s story. This book is probably one of the best books I have read on the topic of anxiety and depression. The author’s story is very inspiring and will help readers in their battle.

Wow. Amazing. Life changing. I have been listening to the sermon series from Red Rocks on You Tube and reading this book that Shawn Johnson wrote. This is everything, everything I have been trying to explain. His testimony is basically my testimony except I really never felt suicidal. But I have been unable to leave the house, get off the couch, unable to drive for fear of a panic attack, unable to feel joy, unable to reason my way out of it all etc. etc. My motivation for getting help was not wanting my kids to have depressed a Mom as well as not wanting to spend my life in the four walls of my house, never leaving. Even though our medical community Isn’t perfect and knowledge is ever expanding God led me to good people who knew how to begin to help me. I prayed for help,and He answered because He is good and faithful. I still pray for help, and He answers every time. I wanted to learn new ways to handle things so my kids would live a more free life in Christ.Shawn says he lives in a healthier way. He says healthier because 100% healing from some trials doesn’t come until heaven. But we don’t have to live in depression we can fight. It is amazing how honest he is being. Shawn is dragging this stuff into the light so Christians can truly experience the freedom that accompanies the salvation that they already have.And Shawn is helping people who don’t struggle with depression to understand what it is like have this struggle. At the end of this book he details all, every strategy, I have had in counseling in a much better way than I can describing them.Also at the end of the book and in the sermon series he and the associate pastor talk about things people who don’t struggle with depression can do to help those who are in it, and they are spot on from my experience. They also touch on things people say to people with depression that are not helpful. Even better and more important advice!I wish every Christian could read this book. Unknowingly as a culture and a Christian community we have driven people deeper into depression. This is so very dangerous because depression can be terminal. That is what suicide is, terminal depression. Shawn explains why people want to commit suicide better than anyone I have heard. That piece really clicked for me when I read his testimony. Powerful.In a perfect world everyone in any kind of ministry from Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader, youth leader, counselor , or Pastor should hear this story. I wish every mother, brother, sister, mom, dad, daughter or son of a person who has had depression could hear this story and internalize it.Praise God for our greater understanding of mental illness, and these millennial pastors for dragging this stuff into the light, so it no longer has the power cripple us with shame. And let their be no more pretending. And no more shaming. I can’t tell how blessed I was by listening to these guys. This story really exemplifies what It means to live in God’s grace and give others the same grace God gives to us.

This book is so helpful to people dealing with anxiety and panic attacks.He gives very detailed information about his own experience that I believe a lot of people can relate to, and then also how to be helped. I would love to share this with other people and give them this book.

Wow! I have walked this anxiety and depression road since I was 10 but it really started attacking me physically in 2014. I surrendered to counseling in Feb 2015 and have not looked back. I have been getting better, stronger and healthier everyday since. I love how you said it’s not about getting healthy it’s about getting healthier! I needed that statement. I’ve been in a hard season with anxiety and depression for the past 8 months and your book came at just the right time. I’ve added many truth statements to my list that I say everyday already. Changing your mindset really is key and shining the light into the darkness breaks satan’s power and hold. Thank you, Shawn, for being so transparent, real and raw. Thank you for allowing God to use your story! Keep fighting! (Written by Sabrina Maness)

The raw realness of Pastor Shawn Johnson’s words are life changing and so relatable. As someone who suffers from anxiety and the guilt that has brought me, this book was eye opening, inspiring and the perfect instruction manual on how to cope with and heal, through God, with and from anxiety, with God at the center. I highly recommend this book!

This is a game changer!

Book was in great condition

Well written and gives great biblical advice. I am enjoying this read and that says alot about the book 😆

This book is amazing because this man truly gets what it’s like and he understands. So much encouragement because if God can help him, he can help me

The book takes you through a journey with a great learning curve. Pastor Shawn explains in different ways through scripture how to overcome anxiety… although, even if the book is about anxiety, for me personally it is helpful for any life battle. It does remind me every single time how much God loves me and how present he is in my life…. But more importantly, that God is in control.

I love just how authentic the book is and all the useful tools it offers to fight anxiety and depression. Definitely worth the read and an encouragement and silver lining in desperate times .

Book arrived so quick! I’m not the biggest reader but I’m half way through and finding it hard to put down. Shaun has done such an amazing job bringing the Word into this book.