Many women today are held captive by a myriad of fears. Fear holds many women back from reaching the full potential that the Lord has for them. In the book ‘When a Woman Lets Go of Her Fears’, Cheryl Brodersen addresses many of the fears she struggled with growing up, fears that lingered on into her adult life. Cheryl had more fears than most women combined. Her list of fears included: fear of rejection, fear of people, fear of confrontation, fear of driving, fear of the devil, fear of the future, fear of failure, and fear of illness to name a few. Fear had spread its tentacles into her entire life, trapping her and incapacitating her from fulfilling her witness as a Christian. While sitting in a Bible study one night that her husband was leading the Lord spoke to her and told her, “I am going to deliver you from all of your fears.” Even this frightened her. What would this mean? Her fears were familiar. Change was not. Out of love for the Lord she surrendered to His healing work.
In ‘When a Woman Lets go of Her Fears’ Cheryl explores many subjects that lead to fear.
- The Whys? - Why am I so afraid? Why do I do the things I do?
- The What If’s? - So much energy is wasted on things that will probably never happen.
- Our thinking - How important is it? Fear begins in the mind and in the thoughts. “…Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:5
What is it that we are really trusting in and depending on? Understanding the truth about who God is, that is elemental to relieving fear. Consider facts like:
- God is, Heb 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
- God is able.
- God is good.
- God will work.
- God loves you.
- His ways are perfect.
- His timing is perfect.
Each chapter ends with a series of probing questions to help personalize the subject for the reader and to aid the ability to make personal change; or these questions can be beneficial for use in a small group study.
Sprinkled throughout the book are personal stories and examples, which give the book the flavor of a story, not just a textbook. One especially precious chapter is Women of Great Faith where Cheryl tells the stories of women of old and women of today, including her mother, Kay Smith, and who courageously pursued after God in the face of great trials.
One of the final chapters exhorts the reader to build her own faith. “Our faith needs to be strengthened daily just like our muscles… You have the ‘muscle of faith’. It just needs the right care and nurturing to grow.” Exercising your faith muscle comes through prayer, time in the Word, and fellowship with other mature believers.
God desires that we all grow up into faith in Him. He desires us to be free of fear. He desires that we would each reach the full potential that He created us for. ‘When a Woman Lets Go of Her Fears’ is a vital tool for those who struggle and those who are incapacitated by fear in their lives.
The youngest daughter of Pastor Chuck Smith and Kay Smith, Cheryl Brodersen was taught the joys of following Jesus from a young age. Her father instilled in her a love for biblical truth, and her mother infused Cheryl with passion and enthusiasm for the promises of Scripture. She is married to Pastor Brian Brodersen. Brian currently serves in the pastorate at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and Cheryl teaches the Joyful Life women’s bible study. She is an author and conference/retreat speaker. She hosts Today’s Faith on hischannel.com, and cohosts radio call-in show Pastor’s Perspectives with her husband Brian. Finally she is also a proud mother and grandmother. After 26 years in ministry Cheryl states, “What I enjoy most about ministering to women is watching the transforming power of God’s Word upon their lives.”
Book review written by Diane Caston