Book #1 - "Calm My Anxious Heart"

My sister helped me to solve the dilemma of which book I should start with! This is actually her book and I think I've had it in my possession for almost a year? Oops... I actually finished this about a week ago and immediately started on my second book, but this is actually the first opportunity I've had to sit down and write a review on it.
The title instantly appealed to me. I am, by nature and by unfortunate habits, an extremely anxious person. I love being in control - some call it bossy! - and I have to know what my plans are well in advance. Certain people in my life are helping me to realize that certain spontaneity is good and fun, and I am gradually beginning to allow some spontaneity to creep into my life. :)
I need to give a bit of background info on the author as that makes a big difference when you read the book! Her name is Linda Dillow. For 17 years, her and her husband were missionaries in various places in Europe and Asia, they now reside in the USA. At the beginning of each of the 12 chapters, there is a page-long story from her time overseas that helps to emphasize her point in that chapter - the stories are all very interesting and most are quite sobering. In fact, her dedication states, "To the women in Eastern Europe who lived contentment before me."
At first glance (and due to the title), I thought this book was just about conquering anxiety. But Dillow makes a very interesting connection between contentment and anxiety; we can have wonderful peace when we are content with what has been given us. The first part of the book deals with contentment and her first chapter is aptly titled "My Journey to Contentment". Contentment is something that needs constant work. It is a conscious desire and choice - we must CHOOSE to be content. She then deals with the following aspects:
- Content with Circumstances
- Content to be Me
- Content with My Role
- Content in Relationships.
Dillow then address the enemy of contentment - greed. This chapter is suitably called "Never Enough", which is followed by the topic of our focus and purpose in life and how vital it is that our focus is correct, otherwise our entire life is thrown off. May my focus in life be truly Christ - He is all I need!
She continues on with the anxiety part of the book - addressing worry and how our faith needs to be secure and well-grounded to ease our worries, fears and anxieties. The final three chapters deal with the same topic but she has split them into a triplet:
- Trusting God with the "What Ifs"
- Trusting God with the "If Onlys"
- Trusting God with the "Whys"

This book is very personal for several reasons. One, the author uses many personal situations and experiences, very often baring her soul and heart. Two, the style that she has written it feels that she is sitting across the table from you, sincerely talking to you. Three, once you have read this book, your ideas about contentment and anxiety will radically change and it makes you more determined to be content with everything you have and to worry less! Four, it became a very personal book for me (so much so that I now have to buy my own copy soon!) as each and every point she raised directly challenged me.
The timing when I read this book was perfect. I read it in 1 week and at the end of this week, lay an obstacle that I had to face and overcome. It consisted of one of my worst fears. At the beginning of the week, I came very VERY close to accepting defeat and letting the obstacle/challenge win. It was affecting my eating and sleeping habits even! I was so thankful I read this book when I did! By the end of the week, I knew I could rely on power and strength far greater than my own, that God is already in my tomorrows, that I must not let this beat me and that indeed "worry is like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do but it won't get you anywhere." There were SO many quotes, points and stories from this book that I enjoyed so much and I ended up writing them down - I took that paper with me when it was time to do battle with my fears and that paper is now kept in my purse for whenever anxiety overcomes me. I'll let you read the book and enjoy it yourself :) I'll leave you with the 'formula' that Dillow makes:
Problem: Living by Feelings - we live by our feeling and what we can see.
RESULT: An anxious heart.
Solution: Living by Faith - we must live by trusting God for what we can't see.
RESULT: A calm heart.

I strongly, strongly recommend this book! Very challenging, very readable (it also includes a 12-week Bible study) and for anyone who has struggled with contentment, worry or anxiety (no matter the degree) this book is, in essence, a balm to your anxious heart. Comments are welcome below :)