BE FREE

A Bible-based guide that invites readers to free themselves from worry and stress through spiritual practices.

 Carrying emotional, mental, and spiritual weight, says Pastor Williams, is human; however, unchecked baggage can damage a person’s life in a number of different ways. The first step to freedom is acknowledging the problem: “When you name your struggles, hurts, and fears, you strip them of their power over you,” he writes. For the author, sometimes baggage consists of unfulfilled expectations, which can cause disappointment and resentment, and people may find themselves experiencing performance pressure in a “cycle of striving.” Williams recommends putting one’s future in God’s hands, setting realistic expectations, and practicing gratitude. He differentiates between different types of pain (emotional, psychological, spiritual, and unaddressed), emphasizing that suppressing such pains can have dire consequences, like emotional numbness, relationship difficulties, and spiritual disconnect. Revisiting “unresolved yesterdays” and offering forgiveness to the self and others can release people from a “prison of bitterness.” Williams analyzes how the “comparison trap,” the “performance trap,” the “past mistakes trap,” and the “resentment trap” erode self-esteem and explains how better communication, boundaries, and reconciliation can be handy in resolving relational and family problems. By identifying baggage, exploring its roots, finding strength in community, and celebrating efforts to improve, Williams reassures readers that they can step into the “abundant life that God desires for each of us.” Williams effectively weaves personal and biblical stories together to provide readers with examples of overcoming difficulties. The book’s format is also easy to navigate, with each chapter offering a personal narrative, advice, biblical wisdom, reflection questions, and action steps. The only catch is that the advice is informed primarily by biblical teachings rather than psychological research. In a chapter on depression, for example, while the author recommends seeking professional help, he also advises readers to “ground [themselves] in God’s word” and pray, strategies that may be insufficient for severe and persistent mental illness.

A comforting Christian guide for overcoming challenges that favors scripture over science-based strategies.