Anxiety is one of the biggest problems in our society today, affecting so many of our young people. Recognising this, Abrupt Media and a host of contributors from Hillsong churches worldwide name and tackle different fears in their beautiful magazine-style book Fearfully Made.
Aimed at young people, the book is split into six chapters: Fear of failure, Fear of rejection, Fear of ridicule, Fear of loneliness, Fear of death and Fear of God, with youth from Hillsong in London, LA, New York City, Sydney and Paris all sharing how church has helped them grow in confidence and face their fears head on.
Each chapter is framed around a key interview of a well-known figure, including singer/songwriter Fleur East, MOBO award-winning rapper and SPCK author Guvna B, fashion designer Marcel, The Voice ’s Leah McFall, BBC broadcaster Ashley John-Baptiste and many more.
With its shiny silver cover and contemporary design, the book is certainly alluring but the content is incredibly honest, solid and inspiring. Here are some words from Hillsong UK’s Youth and Young Adults Pastor, Dan Watson, from the introduction, which reflect the inspiration behind it – Psalm 139:
“People are searching for who they are. We look to our peers, to social media, to Hollywood, to find out who we should be. But God knows our real identity. He says we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’.”
With a slick design and inspiring words from well-known figures, it is a book that many young people will enjoy dipping into. But one of its strengths is the inclusion of stories from ordinary young people. It also facilitates discussion: each chapter ends with group discussion prompts and questions to consolidate the ideas covered and to ensure readers really think about how they can facilitate change in their own lives.
The overriding message of the book is that, through faith in God, we can fight fear. This is something that my teenage daughter, Emily, appreciated: “This book is very helpful in that it addresses the fears that most of us face and shows us how we can overcome them. The way that it’s written (using interviews, Bible verses and quotations as well as longer passages of text) and designed (with bold colours and images) makes it appropriate for, and attractive to, the intended teenage audience. “I found the question and discussion sections especially useful as they helped me to think about what I had been taught through each chapter – what the chapter was really saying – and how I could apply it to my life.
“I think the whole idea of the book, telling other people’s stories to show us how to recognise and overcome fear, is really effective. It shows that we are not the only ones who face these fears, and it assures and encourages us because someone has overcome them already. It teaches us how to spot them as we look at someone else’s – and then our own – life. This is a very useful, challenging and encouraging book that I would recommend to any teenager trying to overcome their fears and anxieties and stand more freely in the truth of who they are in Christ.”
Elizabeth Neep, the commissioning editor, explained to me why she was so excited about this project: “Among the many churches and organisations championing the message of Jesus to young people, Hillsong’s voice is loud and clear. They are able to communicate the gospel creatively and with impact and so the opportunity to partner with Hillsong in reaching this young audience was one I knew I wanted to be involved with.
“It was such an honour to partner with some of the leading voices in this space, coupled with the youth themselves to share a message of hope and community that ultimately tells young people and adults alike, you are not alone.
“I want them to be inspired by the content and dynamic format, and understand that the way we experience God and his message does not need to look the same as it always has. We have a creative God and can share and respond to the Gospel in creative ways. I want the readers to experience more freedom from fear, more freedom to be who God made them to be.”
Together Magazine
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