Review: Fear and Faith by Trillia J. Newbell (Moody Publishers)

OK you may be wondering why I am reviewing Trillia Newbell’s Fear and Faith—a book for women. I found myself wondering how I related to so much of what Trillia wrote. Don’t get me wrong. Fear and Faith is geared towards women. She addresses seven prevailing fears for women—fear of man, the future, other women, tragedy, not measuring up, physical appearance, and sexual intimacy. But she fundamentally deals with core fears of the human heart.

“Fear and Faith is about how, when we place our security in the Lord, we too can wear strength as our clothing (Proverbs 31:17)” (18). We do that by fighting fear with the fear of the Lord (17). She says later, “We fear Him because we know Him—a knowing that is intimate and initiated by Him” (113). Knowing God produces a healthy fear that destroys the destructive kind of fear.

What women will love about this book is the intensely personal nature of Trillia’s wisdom. She writes as someone has fought fear firsthand and had to pursue the gospel. She has an excellent chapter on dealing with fear when it comes true. All of that to give you a sense of what you can expect from Fear and Faith.

Let me return to my initial question: Why am I reviewing this? I had thought at first to find a woman to read/write the review. However, one Sunday afternoon I sat down and started reading through Fear and Faith and couldn’t put it down.

It was a gift from God in his providence to my own heart which was at that time full of fear and anxiety. My wife and daughters were traveling to Kansas to see the children’s great grandpa who is ninety-four years old. Whenever they travel without me for an extended amount of time, I experience lots of fear and anxiety. I dream up worse case scenarios (16) and simmer in unbelief. The focus on the fear of God, pursuing the gospel, and looking to Christ in our moments of fear resonated with my heart. I experienced the least amount of fear and anxiety while my family was gone. I am also glad to report that they have returned home safely.

That kind of ability to connect to an unintended audience is a sign of solid writing. Yes, the book is geared towards women, but it’s not filled with platitudes that are often found in gender specific books. She addresses major issues in our fallen world and she does so with gospel truths rooted in who God is and what he has done. If you often find fear and faith grating against each other as you attempt to mature as a disciple of Jesus Christ, Fear and Faith will be an invaluable resource for your heart.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Mathew B. Sims is the author of A Household Gospel: Fulfilling the Great Commission in Our Homes and a contributor in Make, Mature, Multiply (GCD Books). He completed over forty hours of seminary work at Geneva Reformed Seminary. He also works as the managing editor at Gospel-Centered Discipleship and the project manager for the Journal of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Mathew offers freelance editing and book formatting services. He is a member at Downtown Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC.