Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Fearless
    Fearless
    Fearless
    Ebook261 pages4 hours

    Fearless

    By Max Lucado

    4.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Fear may fill the world but does not have to fill your heart.

    Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear. Layoffs at work. Slowdowns in the economy. Health scares. Division. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into the prison of our anxious minds and keeps us from the freedom Christ offers.

    New York Times bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado invites us to turn to faith, not fear, as our default reaction to the threats of life. In this book, Max will help you:

    • Find freedom from the fear of insignificance.
    • Take comfort that the Lord will never leave your side.
    • Unleash your worries and become filled with peace.

    Today, learn to trust more and fear less.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherThomas Nelson
    Release dateSep 8, 2009
    ISBN9781418585648
    Fearless
    Author

    Max Lucado

    Since entering the ministry in 1978, Max Lucado has served churches in Miami, Florida; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and San Antonio, Texas. He currently serves as the teaching minister of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry and society at large. He is America's bestselling inspirational author with more than 150 million products in print. Visit his website at MaxLucado.com Facebook.com/MaxLucado Instagram.com/MaxLucado Twitter.com/MaxLucado Youtube.com/MaxLucadoOfficial The Max Lucado Encouraging Word Podcast

    Read more from Max Lucado

    Related to Fearless

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Monday, November 1

      Oct 15, 2021

      Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands . . . Isaiah 49:15–16 (NIV) MY MOM RECENTLY GAVE ONE of my

      1 min read

    • Article

      Tuesday, November 2

      Oct 15, 2021

      Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) HAVE YOU EVER HAD THE feeling it would be a bad day, even before your feet touched the floor? Having overslept, I was already running behind for my

      1 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Dec 29, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Nov 27, 2020

      I I believe b that we are living in the end times as we read about in all the books of the Gospel and listen to what Jesus had said. He warned of pestilences and famines. I believe that Covid-19 is one of the pestilences, as well as all the locusts t

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jun 16, 2023

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jul 21, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      6 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jun 24, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Sep 29, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      8 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Apr 5, 2024

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      10 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Apr 22, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Jun 12, 2020

      This lockdown has really shaken a lot of people and caused them to stop relying on themselves and the things of this world. Jesus is our only hope and I am so grateful that I know Him as my Lord and Saviour and best friend and protector. I have peace

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Oct 27, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      6 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Mar 10, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      8 min read

    • Article

      Samuel Rodriguez

      Jul 26, 2022

      Samuel Rodriguez
      2 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Oct 28, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      A Prayer for July

      May 15, 2021

      A Prayer for July
      10 min read

    • Article

      Surviving YOUR WILDERNESS

      Oct 21, 2019

      “ If you’re going through hell, keep going!” So said Winston Churchillduring one of the worst crises in world history. And these words of wisdom still apply to anyone passing through a trial today. Maybe you are passing through a difficult season i

      2 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Dec 1, 2023

      Send your letters to editor@joymag.co.za Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for

      7 min read

    • Article

      Heart To Heart

      Jan 24, 2023

      Heart To Heart
      4 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Jan 1, 2021

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      3 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Sep 23, 2022

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Apr 14, 2023

      Send your letters to editor@joymag.co.za Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Mar 18, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Forward March!

      Sep 4, 2020

      Forward March!
      5 min read

    • Article

      Max Lucado

      May 28, 2021

      Max Lucado
      2 min read

    • Article

      A Prayer for June

      May 15, 2021

      A Prayer for June
      9 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Aug 7, 2020

      Greetings in the Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In your July issue of JOY! you asked what we are grateful for. I’m grateful for the fact that Jesus Christ saved me and my family. My third born son suffered severe burns on his body, and my last b

      6 min read

    • Article

      Word Search

      May 19, 2023

      Word Search
      2 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Nov 19, 2021

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      8 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Apr 22, 2019

      The Bible in a Nutshell is amazing! I have just received a ‘Bible in a Nutshell’ book as a gift from my mom. Wow, wow, wow – what a treat. I can’t put it down and have learned so much from it. What a treasure. Thank you for producing such a valuable

      5 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Fearless

    4.5/5

    28 ratings13 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      Max is good, but for some reason, this topic doesn't really resonate with me. I am sure I have fears, but I don't think of them as he does and therefore the book doesn't really hit me. There were some great points in it and it was worth reading (very quick read), but not one of my favorites.
    • 4/5
      Once again love Lucado; does an awesome job of looking at just about every imaginable fear that affects us today and addresses them in a simple yet profound way that is not only easy to read; easy to relate but Biblically based as well. Would recommend to anyone.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      I read Max Lucado’s Fearless as part of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Bloggers program. This book seeks to answer how in the midst of layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming we can make faith, not fear, our default reaction to threats.Max Lucado deals with a variety of fears common in our society and looks at how we can replace our fear with faith in God. Each chapter includes stories and bible verses to illustrate his points and the book is written in an easy to read and understand style.I had no major disagreement with the contents of this book but there was nothing that was new either. When reading something like this I would look to be challenged in my thinking, to see things from a new angle or gain new insight on the topic but that was not the case here. This book would probably be helpful to people who are new to faith or as a reminder of what Christians should already know.
    • 4/5
      Never has a book been so timely...it seems everyone is filled with fear these days: fear of losing their job, fear of losing their home, fear of being attacked by terrorists, fear of something happening to their children. I'm certainly not immune. I've obsessed over my bank account, the economy, the future of my job, whether I was a good parent nearly every day for the past year. My husband had three jobs last year. I cashed in my 401k to make ends meet. I took a leap and quit my job last month and started a new one. Our daughter starts middle school today. How do I sleep at night?Fearless addresses all these fears and then some. Was I completely worry free after I read this book? Of course not. Do I feel better capable of handling my fears and dealing with every day realities? Definitely. This book falls right in line with where I am in my faith journey and it reinforced what I already knew to be true: give all your troubles to God and He will provide everything that you need. Whether you are drowning in fear or just have a momentary pang of panic once in a while, this book is a must read for everyone. It may completely open your eyes to a new way of living, or it may just reassure you that you are already on the right track.
    • 5/5
      Max Lucado's book Fearless is a definate must read. In this book he takes us down the path of fear. Coupled with his discussion guide a group or single person can learn so much. In his book he shows us how to examine fear for what it is then how to expose it so that we can battle it. He humorous stories throughout make this serious read an easy read. The message throughout reminds us that fear can cause us to forget to lean on Jesus and lead us to sin. It also causes us to try to handle things on our own. He reminds us that Jesus truly understands our fears as he became flesh and suffered these same fears. An example of his humor came in the form of comparing reading the informational pamphlet that accompanies a prescription. It tells all the good things the medicine will do and then tells all of the possible side effect. This was compared to a lawyer standing beside a pregnant woman in labor. The lawyer was there reading a contract to the unborn child explaining how wonderful it was to be born and loved and then warning them of all of the dangers such as drunk drivers, terrorists etc., should they decide to continue their journey into the world. After examining the discussion guide I decided that It probably would have been more beneficial to me had I read the questions for each chapter before I read the chapter. I then would have gone back and answered the questions. This is a book that I will definitely read again and will recommend to all of my family and friends.
    • 4/5
      I used to enjoy Max Lucado's books regularly. I still remember lessons I learned from He Still Moves Stones and In the Grip of Grace. But this is the first Lucado book I've read in quite some time. Fearless is honestly Lucado in prime form. In this book he leads the reader through a process of vanquishing all of our personal fears no matter how big or small. Fears about acceptance, disappointment, our children, challenges, catastrophes, violence, lack of faith, global warming and everything in between. Reading a Max Lucado is a little like settling into a conversation with a trusted friend. His writing voice is one that you quickly feel like you can trust. The illustrations are memorable, the lessons are profound. He has a great way of providing an "ah-ha" moment in every chapter. As a pastor, I would love to preach some of the lessons in this book. Good stuff. Definitely worth the read.
    • 5/5
      "We fear being sued, finishing last, going broke; we fear the mole on the back, the new kid on the block, the sound of the clock as it ticks us closer to the grave," Lucado smartly writes. "Fear sells. Fear glues watchers to their seats, sells magazines off the racks, and puts money in the pocket of the system."From the fear of not mattering, to the fear of not having enough, fear encompasses all problems. While fear can be an appropriate and - at times - useful tool, we too often misuse it. Anxiety and fear exacerbate the problems in our lives until they obtain titanic proportions.The question is, though, why are we afraid? There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them. "Evildoers have less chance of hurting you if you aren't already victim." Lucado, in Fearless, goes on to explain how we can imagine our life without fear, and reminds us of the one powerful tool we have to combat fear.In addition to the thought provoking writings on different topics that make us fearful, there is a discussion guide in the back of the book to gain a better understanding of the ideas and principles in the book.By keeping remembering these teachings when life becomes hard, I have faith that my life doesn't have to be controlled by fear.
    • 4/5
      Never has a book been so timely...it seems everyone is filled with fear these days: fear of losing their job, fear of losing their home, fear of being attacked by terrorists, fear of something happening to their children. I'm certainly not immune. I've obsessed over my bank account, the economy, the future of my job, whether I was a good parent nearly every day for the past year. My husband had three jobs last year. I cashed in my 401k to make ends meet. I took a leap and quit my job last month and started a new one. Our daughter starts middle school today. How do I sleep at night?Fearless addresses all these fears and then some. Was I completely worry free after I read this book? Of course not. Do I feel better capable of handling my fears and dealing with every day realities? Definitely. This book falls right in line with where I am in my faith journey and it reinforced what I already knew to be true: give all your troubles to God and He will provide everything that you need. Whether you are drowning in fear or just have a momentary pang of panic once in a while, this book is a must read for everyone. It may completely open your eyes to a new way of living, or it may just reassure you that you are already on the right track.
    • 5/5
      In his latest work Max Lucado , author of tens of inspirational books, children's books, and co-editor of a couple of bible editions, elaborates thoughts on fear and answers from a biblical, christian perspective. Fear addresses and shapes our character. It turns us into control freaks, raises doubts and unleashes the tyrant witin. Fear creates a form of spiritual amnesia. It dulls our miracle memory. Christ's most common command emerges from the "fear not" genre. no wonder why the Bible teaches us a lot on this topic. In 14 chapters Lucado tackles various fears like sickness, doubt, poverty, death, end-times and raising kids. Fear is no sin, but can lead to sin. Parables, touching personal stories and familiar, but still inspirational, biblical narratives are here to help. Abraham, Joseph, Christ's disciples, Jairus tell the story of a loving and forgiving, always present God that casts out fear. Let’s be numbered among those who hear a different voice, God’s. Courage does not panic; it prays. Courage believes. Courage listens to the voice of God calling through Scripture, "Fear not!" Fearless will comfort the reader, while Lucado remains human too, at times as doubtful as you and I.
    • 5/5
      Fearless by Max Lucado. As a book reviewer for Thomas Nelson I had the opportunity to review Lucado’s newest book titled Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear. As always he never disappoints to be to the point Max has done it again in bringing another encouraging book to speak to the heart of people burden with fear. Lucado speaks about the array of realistic fears that are prominent in our daily lives. He explores the fear of disappointing God, of violence, of death, global calamity, not protecting your kids, not mattering and other fears we battle on a day to day basis. I very much love the approach that Lucado takes in this book with each chapter covering a fear then illustrating it with a relevant story, then season the reality of the fear with grace, some slices of humor, and scripture to communicate that God always gives hope to the hopeless. Max is a great story teller so he makes the Truths of Scripture come to life as no one else like can. Max charmingly communicates to the reader that if they are fearing it is a perceived loss of control and that the opposite of fear is faith. That we need to dwell in Jesus as he states in his book, “the longer we live in him, the greater he becomes in us.” Lucado brings to light that Jesus was always encouraging his followers to “be not afraid” and “take courge” because he knew the dangers of fear in the walk of his followers. One of my favorite chapters was The Shadow of a Doubt, where shares his fears and tells of C.S. Lewis’s journey from atheism to Jesus. I have enjoyed Max’s work for years. He always seems to take to another level using a deep and delightful teaching style that sets him apart from others. This is a great resource for consecrating your thoughts on Jesus to defeat fear. The substance of the material in this book makes “Fearless” a perfect candidate for small group studies with people.
    • 5/5
      “Fear, it seems, has taken a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop.” In Max Lucado’s latest release Fearless he reveals the undercurrent of fear that is pervasive in our society. However, this isn’t a book of gloom and doom. Rather it is an encouragement of what it means to replace fear with faith. The tag line for the book is “Imagine Your Life Without Fear”. The picture Lucado paints is an appealing one.Step by step Lucado addresses our fears. Insecurity, fear of God, concern for our kids, being overwhelmed, violence, death and doubt are all addressed. With moving illustrations from contemporary life and Scripture Lucado shines a light on the beacon of hope that serves to liberate us from fear.You may feel as though you are free from fear, and that may be largely true – but give this book a read. It will be an encouragement to you as we are reminded to live life through the lens of faith rather than the distorted lens of fear.Don’t be imprisoned by fear: "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free . . . So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed'" (John 8:31-32, 36).
    • 5/5
      In Fearless Max Lucado sends the message that with fear in our lives we can be our own worst enemy. He also shows us how with faith and prayer we can overcome this fear. There are many examples of fear in the Bible and many examples of Jesus telling us not to fear. If we can trust our faith and know that there is nothing to fear through Jesus then we can live without fear. That is Lucado's message.I've read a lot of spiritual/self-help books, not one has connected with me like Fearless did. I saw myself in so many of the examples of fear taking over one's life. It seemed as if Lucado was writing this book just for me to read. I think that for the first time while reading a book I actually sat the book aside and prayed. I liked the message and I've taken much from this book to heart.
    • 5/5
      “When Christ is Great, Our Fears Are Not”In ‘Fearless, Imagine Your Life Without Fear‘, Max Lucado examines the issue of fear, its roots and reasons and offers the only sustainable answer, confidence in Jesus Christ.It starts with a discussion of the ‘Why We Fear‘ and describes the contrast between faith and fear; what faithful and fearful behavior looks like and the resulting affects they produce in our lives.Max Lucado begins this focus on fear with a story of his brother’s own death, a result of his life long battle with alcohol describing the ultimate cause as fear.The remaining chapters are addressed to specific types of fears. Fear of ‘Not Mattering‘, of ‘Running Out‘, of ‘Not Protecting My Kids‘, of ‘Overwhelming Challenges‘, of ‘Worst Case Scenarios‘, of ‘Violence‘, of ‘Coming Winter‘, of ‘Life’s Final Moments’, of ‘What’s Next‘, of ‘God Is Not Real‘, of ‘Global Calamity’, and of ‘God Getting Out of My Box‘.The chapters are short and written in Lucado’s appealing, kind conversational manner. If you have ever read (or heard) Max Lucado, you will understand his gentle, almost soothing writing and speaking style. It is unique to Max Lucado and adds greatly to his discussion of exposing fear and exalting faith in Jesus Christ.There are personal stories he shares (such as the story of his brother Dee), poems, and practical plans for overcoming the issue of fear. I found his P-E-A-C-E-F-U-L plan particularly useful. It is found in Chapter Four.As a Ladies Bible Study Teacher, I’ve recently become acutely aware of the ‘fear factor’ among many of the people in my life. Before I read this book, I had come to the conclusion that fear is an opponent. Fear is an enemy and must be battled. This book also lists and describes the weapons needed to find a battle with fear.The book includes a discussion guide which reviews each chapter using the three step attack of ‘Examining Fear’, ‘Exposing Fear’ and ‘Battling Fear’. These are great tools to use in a small group study.I highly recommend this book for personal reading or in small group bible study.

    Book preview

    Fearless - Max Lucado

    PRAISE FOR Fearless

    "It seems like no one is immune to fear. I was neck-deep in it as a bankrupt young entrepreneur twenty years ago, and I recognize it now in the voices of the people I talk to on the radio every day. The good news is that there is an antidote to fear! I recommend Fearless to anyone who is tired of the doom and gloom and ready to step out of fear once and for all."

    —DAVE RAMSEY, radio talk show host, best-selling author, and host of

    The Dave Ramsey Show on the Fox Business Network

    "In every business endeavor, a lifetime of experience and dozens of years of education are worthless, if fear is holding you back. Max has put into powerful terms the secret to overcoming fear, so that one may take the exciting plunge into future success. Fearless is a must-read for anyone who is ready to discover a life or career that is filled with more strength and triumph."

    —MARCUS BUCKINGHAM, the world’s leading expert on career success and

    New York Times best-selling author of Find Your Strongest Life, First Break

    All the Rules, Now Discover Your Strengths, and Go Put Your Strengths to Work

    If there is an emotion that leads to a life of boredom, it’s fear. Consider this book a pep speech in the corner during a boxing match. It’s you against all your imagination can throw at you. Thanks, Max, for giving us the courage to actually live!

    —DONALD MILLER, author of Blue Like Jazz and A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

    Max Lucado’s latest book speaks to the desire within each of us to become what we believe we could if only fear didn’t hold us back. His words of common sense and wisdom inspire readers to ignore that little voice that says ‘you can’t’ and tap into that larger spirit that says ‘Yes, YOU can!’

    —DEBORAH NORVILLE, television journalist and author of The Power of Respect

    Skillful as a surgeon, he discerns and identifies the cancer of fear that touches every human being, and with like precision speaks healing words that cut right to the heart. While there exists no fast fix or simple cure for the fear-bound individual, Lucado’s tempered counsel and faith-driven remedies will offer day-by-day spiritual medicine of the most potent kind.

    —Publishers Weekly

    FEARLESS

    ALSO BY MAX LUCADO

    INSPIRATIONAL

    3:16

    A Gentle Thunder

    A Love Worth Giving

    And the Angels Were Silent

    Cast of Characters

    Come Thirsty

    Cure for the Common Life

    Facing Your Giants

    God Came Near

    Great Day Every Day

    He Chose the Nails

    He Still Moves Stones

    In the Eye of the Storm

    In the Grip of Grace

    It’s Not About Me

    Just Like Jesus

    Max on Life

    Next Door Savior

    No Wonder They Call Him the Savior

    On the Anvil

    Outlive Your Life

    Six Hours One Friday

    The Applause of Heaven

    The Great House of God

    The Lucado Inspirational Reader

    Traveling Light

    When Christ Comes

    When God Whispers Your Name

    CHILDREN’S BOOKS

    A Hat for Ivan

    Alabaster Song

    All You Ever Need

    Because I Love You

    Best of All

    Coming Home

    Flo, the Lyin’ Fly

    He Chose You

    Hermie, a Common Caterpillar

    Hermie and Friends Bible

    If Only I Had a Green Nose

    Jacob’s Gift

    Just in Case You Ever Wonder

    Just Like Jesus (for teens)

    Just the Way You Are

    Milo, the Mantis Who

    Wouldn’t Pray

    Next Door Savior (for teens)

    Punchinello and the Most

    Marvelous Gift

    Small Gifts in God’s Hands

    Stanley the Stinkbug

    Tell Me the Secrets

    Tell Me the Story

    The Crippled Lamb

    The Oak Inside the Acorn

    The Way Home

    With You All the Way

    You Are Mine

    You Are Special

    Your Special Gift

    GIFT BOOKS

    A Heart Like Jesus

    Everyday Blessings

    For These Tough Times

    God’s Mirror

    God’s Promises for You

    God Thinks You’re Wonderful

    Grace for the Moment, Vols. I & II

    Grace for the Moment Journal

    In the Beginning

    Just for You

    Just Like Jesus Devotional

    Let the Journey Begin

    Max on Life Series

    Mocha with Max

    One Incredible Moment

    Safe in the Shepherd’s Arms

    The Cross

    The Gift for All People

    The Greatest Moments

    Traveling Light for Mothers

    Traveling Light Journal

    Turn

    Walking with the Savior

    You: God’s Brand-New Idea!

    FICTION

    An Angel’s Story

    The Christmas Candle

    The Christmas Child

    BIBLES (GENERAL EDITOR)

    Grace for the Moment Daily Bible

    He Did This Just for You

    (New Testament)

    The Devotional Bible

    The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible

    FEARLESS

    IMAGINE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT FEAR

    MAX LUCADO

    9780849946394_INT_0005_001

    © 2009 Max Lucado

    All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

    Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

    Thomas Nelson, Inc., titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

    All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    Other Scripture references are from the following sources:

    The Amplified Bible (AMP), © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. The Contemporary English Version (CEV). © 1991 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission. The Message (MSG) by Eugene H. Peterson. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. New American Standard Bible® (NASB), © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. New Century Version® (NCV). © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New English Bible (NEB). © 1961, 1970 by The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press. Reprinted by permission. Holy Bible: New International Version® (NIV). © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT). © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV). © 1946, 1952, 1971, 1973 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. The Weymouth HTML Bible (WEY). Weymouth.

    Any italics in the Scripture quotations reflect the author’s own emphasis.

    ISBN: 978-0-8499-4639-4 (trade paper)

    ISBN: 978-0-8499-4658-5 (IE)

    Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

    Lucado, Max.

       Fearless : imagine your life without fear / Max Lucado.

          p. cm.

       Includes bibliographical references.

      ISBN 978-0-8499-2139-1 (hardcover)

      1. Fear—Religious aspects—Christianity. I. Title.

       BV4908.5.L83 2009

      248.8'6—dc22

    2009000707

    Printed in the United States of America

    12 13 14 15 QG 6 5 4 3 2 1

    For Dee

    and all who loved him

    Contents

    Acknowledgments

    1. Why Are We Afraid?

    2. The Villagers of Stiltsville

    Fear of Not Mattering

    3. God’s Ticked Off at Me

    Fear of Disappointing God

    4. Woe, Be Gone

    Fear of Running Out

    5. My Child Is in Danger

    Fear of Not Protecting My Kids

    6. I’m Sinking Fast

    Fear of Overwhelming Challenges

    7. There’s a Dragon in My Closet

    Fear of Worst-Case Scenarios

    8. This Brutal Planet

    Fear of Violence

    9. Make-Believe Money

    Fear of the Coming Winter

    10. Scared to Death

    Fear of Life’s Final Moments

    11. Caffeinated Life

    Fear of What’s Next

    12. The Shadow of a Doubt

    Fear That God Is Not Real

    13. What If Things Get Worse?

    Fear of Global Calamity

    14. The One Healthy Terror

    Fear of God Getting Out of My Box

    15. Conclusion

    William’s Psalm

    Notes

    Discussion Guide

    Bonus Material from Max Lucado’s next book, Grace

    Acknowledgments

    If a book is a house, meet the construction crew behind this one. (Step out and take a bow as I call your name, please.)

    Liz Heaney and Karen Hill, editors. Is this really our twenty-fifth book together? You two deserve gold medals. For the hundreds of chapters, thousands of nudges, and millions of happy moments—thank you.

    Steve and Cheryl Green. The sun will forget to rise before you will fail to serve. I love you both.

    Carol Bartley, copy editor. Turn you loose on the world, and it would be weedless. Great job.

    Susan and Greg Ligon, David Moberg, and the entire Thomas Nelson team. You’ve tapped into the wellhead of creativity. I can’t thank you enough.

    David Drury, researcher. Every suggestion, timely. Every correction, appreciated.

    David Treat, prayer partner. Quietly praying us through. So grateful.

    Randy Frazee, senior minister. You and Rozanne have brought joy to our hearts and calm to our calendar. Welcome!

    UpWords Ministry team. For managing the radio program, Web page, and correspondence and putting up with me, a standing ovation!

    The Oak Hills Church, our spiritual family for twenty years. The best decades await us.

    Jenna, Andrea, and Sara, our daughters. Each one of you made tangible contributions to this book. Chasing down passages, digging through sources. I’m bursting with pride. And Brett Bishop, welcome to the family! May God unload a truck of blessings on you and Jenna.

    And my wife, Denalyn. The sight of heaven’s angels won’t surprise me. I’ve been married to one for twenty-seven years. I love you!

    CHAPTER 1

    Why Are

    We Afraid?

    Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?

    —MATTHEW 8: 26

    You would have liked my brother. Everyone did. Dee made friends the way bakers make bread: daily, easily, warmly. Handshake— big and eager; laughter—contagious and volcanic. He permitted no stranger to remain one for long. I, the shy younger brother, relied on him to make introductions for us both. When a family moved onto the street or a newcomer walked onto the playground, Dee was the ambassador.

    But in his midteen years, he made one acquaintance he should have avoided—a bootlegger who would sell beer to underage drinkers. Alcohol made a play for us both, but although it entwined me, it enchained him. Over the next four decades my brother drank away health, relationships, jobs, money, and all but the last two years of his life.

    Who can say why resolve sometimes wins and sometimes loses, but at the age of fifty-four my brother discovered an aquifer of willpower, drilled deep, and enjoyed a season of sobriety. He emptied his bottles, stabilized his marriage, reached out to his children, and exchanged the liquor store for the local AA. But the hard living had taken its toll.

    Three decades of three-packs-a-day smoking had turned his big heart into ground meat.

    On a January night during the week I began writing this book, he told Donna, his wife, that he couldn’t breathe well. He already had a doctor’s appointment for a related concern, so he decided to try to sleep. Little success. He awoke at 4:00 a.m. with chest pains severe enough to warrant a call to the emergency room. The rescue team loaded Dee onto the gurney and told Donna to meet them at the hospital. My brother waved weakly and smiled bravely and told Donna not to worry, but by the time she and one of Dee’s sons reached the hospital, he was gone.

    The attending physician told them the news and invited them to step into the room where Dee’s body lay. Holding each other, they walked through the doors and saw his final message. His hand was resting on the top of his thigh with the two center fingers folded in and the thumb extended, the universal sign-language symbol for I love you.

    I’ve tried to envision the final moments of my brother’s earthly life: racing down a Texas highway in an ambulance through an inky night, paramedics buzzing around him, his heart weakening within him. Struggling for each breath, at some point he realized only a few remained. But rather than panic, he quarried some courage.

    Perhaps you could use some. An ambulance isn’t the only ride that demands valor. You may not be down to your final heartbeat, but you may be down to your last paycheck, solution, or thimble of faith. Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.

    They’re talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming, breakouts of al Qaeda cells. Some demented dictator is collecting nuclear warheads the way others collect fine wines. A strain of swine flu is crossing the border. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. News programs disgorge enough hand-wringing information to warrant an advisory: Caution: this news report is best viewed in the confines of an underground vault in Iceland.

    We fear being sued, finishing last, going broke; we fear the mole on the back, the new kid on the block, the sound of the clock as it ticks us closer to the grave. We sophisticate investment plans, create elaborate security systems, and legislate stronger military, yet we depend on mood-altering drugs more than any other generation in history. Moreover, ordinary children today are more fearful than psychiatric patients were in the 1950s.¹

    Fear, it seems, has taken a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversize and rude, fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness. Happiness complies and leaves. Do you ever see the two together? Can one be happy and afraid at the same time? Clear thinking and afraid? Confident and afraid? Merciful and afraid? No. Fear is the big bully in the high school hallway: brash, loud, and unproductive. For all the noise fear makes and room it takes, fear does little good.

    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.

    Wouldn’t it be great to walk out?

    Imagine your life wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, and doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, absent the dread of failure, rejection, and calamity. Can you imagine a life with no fear? This is the possibility behind Jesus’ question.

    Why are you afraid? he asks (Matt. 8:26 NCV).

    At first blush we wonder if Jesus is serious. He may be kidding. Teasing. Pulling a quick one. Kind of like one swimmer asking another, Why are you wet? But Jesus doesn’t smile. He’s dead earnest. So are the men to whom he asks the question. A storm has turned their Galilean dinner cruise into a white-knuckled plunge.

    Here is how one of them remembered the trip: Jesus got into a boat, and his followers went with him. A great storm arose on the lake so that waves covered the boat (Matt. 8:23–24 NCV).

    These are Matthew’s words. He

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1