About the Author

Jennie is a Bible teacher, author, and the founder and visionary of IF:Gathering. She loves God and believes in this generation of women. She wakes up every day on a mission: disciple a generation.

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  1. I am afraid everyone will discover I’m just making it all up as I go and I will fail.

  2. I’m afraid of death. So many loved ones have died to early in life and it’s given me fear of death. Afraid I would not live long enough to see my children grow or live the life that God has called me to live.

  3. Im afraid that I will fail; therefore, I keep myself sheltered from venturing into new territory and pursuing my dreams.

  4. I am afraid of missing out on the joys of life and of failing to jump in and participate in all that He calls me to live into.

    And I am afraid that my kids think I am too often too serious about life and situations that present in the everyday living of it.

    • Yep, this: “I’m afraid that if I give up control of my life everything will fall apart…the funny thing is God has been making me lay down control & things are going better than ever! Why do I ever not trust Him?”

  5. I am afraid I will offend people and lose their acceptance….and even as I type that God is calling me away from this type of thing. It IS scary to say “anything” and let go of all the control. And oh so amazing to watch what He does!

  6. I am afraid of opening secrets and wounds.
    Afraid the truth will be overwhelming or crushing.
    Do I forget my God is my helper and is the great I AM?

  7. I’m afraid of losing control. And I know this is crazy because God knows what is best but my type a personality wants to be in the details and control. God, please help me let go!

  8. I am afraid I will not meet my own expectations of who I should be – and who I should WANT to be!

  9. I am afraid of spending the rest of my life in a superficial relationship with my husband, not entering into what God has called us to do as a couple, and that this is the (poor) example of marriage that my children will see. I know there is more, but it just seems like it will never come.

  10. I’m afraid to read this book! 🙂 Actually, I’ve been on a journey to give it all up to God over the past year and been through many trails of releasing pride and handing it all over to prepare myself for God’s plan. I’ve come across your book numerous times and have always been too afraid of what God will ask of me when I read it, so I’ve set it back down every time. I know He wants to do something more with my life, but I’m afraid of that “anything”. I guess it’s time to start reading. 🙂

  11. I’m afraid to really believe that God’s plan is best, even if it’s hard….especially if the hard stuff affects my kids.

  12. I am afraid of not completely surrendering to His plan and trusting in the unseen, simply having enough faith.

  13. I’m afraid I will fail…. it paralyzes me and fear turns me little faith to big doubts….

  14. I’m afraid I’ll never grow past the issues that trip me up in life. That holiness and sanctification will always feel just beyond me.

  15. I’m afraid of failing as a parent, or losing my children and husband too soon. It’s hard to imagine life without them. But more than that, I’m afraid of eternity without Christ, so I keep on praying for my children’s salvation.

  16. I’m afraid that I will not be able to be my authentic self when we move away and will find it hard again to build a community.

  17. I’m afraid of getting in over my head. I’m also afraid to read this book but know this is exactly what God is calling me to do! Thanks, Jennie, for making life uncomfortable!

  18. I am afraid that I will fail everyone, that my anger will consume me, that if I don’t keep puting food in my mouth all my fustration will come out all over everyone. I’m afraid I can’t do all the things I should.

  19. I am afraid of what people will think of me, of being myself, being deserted by my friends or family. I am afraid of sooo many things!

  20. I am afraid that I am not good enough or don’t have the right skills to do what I feel God is calling me to do. I am afraid that my financial problems will get in the way of moving forward.

  21. I am afraid that I ruin my testimony most days.
    Also want to do more for God–would like a different job, but His Will be done!

  22. having my heart broken again, spiders (and bugs) and growing old…

    • I’ve felt this way many times myself. There may genuinely be situations where our individual best is not “good enough”. But let me encourage you that God has created you with gifts and talents, and He has a plan and a purpose for your life. God sees His children through “rose colored glasses” meaning that He sees us through the blood that Jesus shed. Only Jesus’ best was perfect. Our best is flawed, but He uses it anyway to bless others and bring Him glory!

  23. I am afraid that I have built a wall so high between God and me that He can no longer see me.

  24. I am afraid of giving myself fully to my gifting. I know it is writing … I have affirmation of it touching others …. yet I still fear rejection. Who am I to second-guess God and what He wants to do in and through me?

  25. I’m afraid of the unknown….because of my lack of faith. If I REALLY trusted God, then the fear of the unknown, or the fear of failure, or the fear of insurmountable challenges, or the fear of whatever would be deflated because I would be trusting God to be who He says He is, and I would be trusting Him to perfectly love me.

  26. I’m afraid of failing as a mother.

    I don’t want my daughter to ever look back and wish there was someone else in my place.

  27. …that if people really knew me, they would abandon me.
    …. that I will always be alone, and never get married or be a mom (I’m over 35).

  28. I’m afraid to answer this question actually. I don’t want to see my fear typed out and staring back at me or out there for others to read. I’m a mother of 3 and married for almost 10 years, most of which my husband has not been faithful. He accepted Christ about a year ago but the road to recovery in our marriage is still a long one. I fear that I may not ever recover from being abandoned by him, that I may never be able to fully trust him again, that I will be paranoid for the rest of my life it will happen again, that I won’t be able to forgive the others involved. . . I’m afraid to live with the memory and hurt of it all. Was I chosen on purpose to carry this load? What is GOd doing? I’ve tried so long to be the strong positive one for my kids, for my family, for God. . . but you know what I’ve finally realized? My BIGGEST fear in that I, Beth, can’t make any of this beautiful again. Only HE can! Will HE?

  29. I m afraid of not being a good mom. I m afraid of losing my husband. I m afraid my children won t be Christ followers and I m afraid my family won t be close and loving with one another.

  30. I m afraid of not being a good mom. I m afraid of losing my husband. I m afraid my children won t be Christ followers

  31. I am afraid my parents will reject me…turn their backs on me…if I choose to pursue what I want..instead of what they want for me.

  32. I’m afraid if I just keep living my life complacently looking for approval from people, I will live in fear and never by faith. I’m afraid I’ve been taking the wrong lead.

  33. I’m afraid that my past will catch up with me and that even God will not be able to forgive me for my many sins.

    • I was afraid to share my story as it was ugly and painful. I reached out to women like myself..alcoholics..and shared with them. I reached younger women and somehow encouraged them in their struggles. Cynthia, reach out like you just did to me and be bold. Ask God to give you the boldness to share and the right women to share with. He did for me and He will for you too. God Bless you! Susan

  34. Why does that scare us so? I only wish I had done it sooner…much sooner!! Thanks for this question!!

  35. I’m afraid of failing . . . and that I will disappoint those around me . . . afraid to trust God completely and that the wall I have around me will remain around me forever. I am afraid that I won’t be able to see my mom again – that our finances aren’t good enough for us to go home for a little visit – afraid of saying good bye to her when the time comes.

  36. I am afraid of many things. But I think the one thing I am afraid of the most is when my husband leaves for work that he will make it back home that night safely. He travels 30 miles to work everyday and I’m always afraid (especially if we have a argument before he leaves) that he will come home safely. I love him so much that I can’t imagine my life without him.

  37. I’m afraid of the depression I feel. I’m afraid because I can’t get motivated. I’m afraid of our future as I have spent too much money and now we are in hardship. I’m afraid because my husband who had retired, has had to return to work because of of our financial position, and it may be too much for him. I’m afraid of spending any more money as I want to keep our home. I see others have this fear also of losing their homes – I pray with you we don’t!!!
    I’m afraid of myself that I won’t do what God wants me to.
    On one hand I trust God with all my heart as we have had some miracles. On the other hand, I wonder what will happen next and do I trus God enough.
    Right now, it seems I am just afraid of everything and too scared to tell anybody close to me, as I don’t want them to worry about me and also I don’t want to feel weak!!!
    God, please help me be the person you want me to be, the wife, mother and grandmother you want me to be, the friend and neighbour you want me to be.

    • I think every one of us feels this way! There are moments God is so real and how could we ever doubt him and there are moments we wonder if there is any way He sees us.

      • Thank you Jennie for those words. I also think every one of us feels this way at times, but some people won’t ever talk about it – so that makes me afraid to admit that’s where I’m at right now – AFRAID!!!!

        To those who say Christianity is a crutch, and an easy way out, I would like to say, No, it is not a crutch, at times it is hard to live the Christian life – at times it seems it would just be simple to go your own way. But I know for me, even if afraid, I will trust in God, even if I don’t feel like it or can see a way out.

  38. I read all the above comments and send you all (hugs) and God Bless all of you that are journeying thru your fears.

    Knowing what I need to do just not having enough faith & fully trusting God that he will get me thru each journey I am now on keeps me in fear.

  39. I am afraid of losing my housing and my independence. If i am put into a care facility my life will be over. I will lose my precious cats and all freedom. Please pray for me.

  40. I am afraid of taking down the walls around my heart and allowing people to really know and love me. My dad was not a good dad when I was younger and then left our family 6 years ago. I’ve been married for 4 years but don’t feel I’ve ever really allowed my husband close to my heart because I’m scared of being hurt by someone I love. I know that God is the only Father that matters and that He will never leave me. But the idea of being truly vulnerable is too much sometimes. I fear I am missing out on so much because I feel so unable to move past this hurt.

  41. I am afriad of my “Stinkin Thinkin”and trying to learn to replace it with the 4:8 plan

  42. I fear that by following I will fail, that we will loose it all. What if I am doing what my heart desires, not what God desires. I fear that I don’t hear Him correctly.

  43. I’m afraid that this season of unemployment is going to lead to me having to put my mother in a nursing home. I don’t mind losing things, but I fear letting everyone down.

  44. of losing control. of not being able to take care of things by myself, of needing to ask for help and then being rejected, of being alone, of making the wrong decision, of hurting others.
    boy, lots of stuff…thanks for reminder to put my trust in God. the list is endless…

  45. I am afraid that I’m missing Gods best for my life because I’m afraid my husband wouldn’t be on board if I changed our current “status quo”

  46. I am afraid my hisband wont like me if I live that way, and that I would be doing it wrong – that following his lead is more important than this other stuff.

  47. Living with a lifelong disease brings many uncertainties and with that many fears.
    …What does God see for me that I can not see because of my earthly limitations?
    … I want the possibilities to be attainable …
    … Will I have the strength to pursue?
    … The mind is strong; but, my flesh has disease-bearing weaknesses.

  48. …of what people think of me AND of spending the rest of my life stuck in this fear. I’m afraid of being too big or too small and missing out on the plans God has for my life. I understand the feeling of “numb” because it’s so EASY to just stay there.

    Thanks for tackling this topic with courage, Jennie.

  49. I am afraid….that I am never good enough, smart enough, funny enough, kind enough, pretty enough, anything enough, nothing enough. I know that we all fall short, and I’m told again and again how many ways I excel (through the grace of God). I just can’t seem to get that deep enough inside me to be able to take a deep breath.

  50. I am afraid… that we are making all the wrong decisions and I won’t be able to pursue my heart’s desire. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book!

  51. I’m afraid of being too safe and not living the one wild and grace-filled life that God has given me as I should – that I am the servant who buried his talent and brought it back, the same – not changed and not multiplied.

    • Yes!! The one talent person! The story of my life. Its nice there is someone else struggling with this!

  52. I’m sitting here trying to formulate in my mind what exactly it is I am afraid of – because I know there is always this sense of fear hiding just below the surface. It seems it is a general fear that whatever I feel least able to do – that will be what He requires of me. Sort of like believing, when I was a little girl, that I would have to go serve Him in the jungles of Africa because really that is the last place I wanted to go.
    One would think that now that I am a grandmother the little girl inside would have grown up a bit. But there she is.

  53. I am afraid of what other’s will think. So I constantly stand in the shadows, hold back, and miss out on what God has for me.

  54. I am afraid that I will be single for the rest of my life (I’ll be 50 in a few weeks!).

  55. I am afraid I am not on the right path God has laid out for me…of not fulfilling His purpose He intended for me.

  56. I am afraid that I haven’t done enough, that I haven’t figured out any purpose or calling that God has planned for me and am just drifting through life.

  57. I’m afraid that people don’t like me, because I’m not comfortable with myself.

  58. that my chronic pain is going to forever keep people from getting to know the real “me”

  59. I’m afraid that I will never become a mom, when my heart longs for it, and that I won’t be able to handle God’s plan with a graceful heart.

  60. I am afraid of an unknown future, following a divorce, of COMPLETE surrender. It’s getting easier to trust and surrender, but that last 10% is tough!

    • One of my very dearest friends is walking through a divorce right now and if you go to the website What is your anything…. her picture is the one on the front with the years that says future…. She told me recently, “For so long I was mad at God for not answering my prayers and fixing my marriage… then I realized he was with me in this. He was enough for me to get through each day.”

      Praying that for you right now Michelle.

  61. I am afraid of the next ministry step God has for us which means moving away from family…again.

  62. I am so afraid of the past….
    Even though I have had the help of many loving and dear friends to help me move on…
    There are times that the past has a tendency to creep in when you least expect it.
    I just need to remember to allow faith to take over!!!
    Still these are the times that frighten me the most.

  63. I am afraid of not measuring up to people\’s expectations.That I don\’t measure up or matter. Fears holds me back from experiencing the life God has for me.

  64. i am afraid of slowing down long enough to hear what God wants to say to me and fearing obedience to that call

  65. My daughtenot marrying a Christian. Her boyfriend and future husband isn’t one. I pray for him daily. He’s a great guy and loves my daughter so much. I’m believing for that before they get married next yr. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! God Bless!

  66. I am afraid: he (husband) will find somebody better.

    I am afraid to try because I usually fail.

    I am afraid I just don’t measure up – not even my own standards.

  67. I’m afraid of: losing my husband’s love; not being loved; lies; betrayal … not being good enough in being a good wife & anything … past …

  68. I am afraid I will be rejected, that no one will want to talk to me or be my friend.

  69. I fear that God will not provide. (which is ridiculous, because he always does. you think I would have learned by now…)

  70. I am afraid that if I go on the treatment needed for my liver disease that I’ll not able to work & provide for my family

  71. I’m afraid of not ever having peace in God nor ever finding my calling.
    I’m afraid of making the wrong decisions now that will limit me in my future.
    I’m afraid I’m not seeing the whole picture and making poor life decisions now.
    I’m afraid I will make life decisions I will regret later.

  72. I am afraid I’m not good enough; that what I’ve done in the past will make me ineffective now. I believe God can use me, but why would He want to?

  73. I’m afraid of saying what is really on my mind.
    I’m afraid of getting really sick or dying so far away from my family.
    I’m afraid of some of my past bad decisions will be shown in the light of day.
    I’m afraid of not reaching the age my parents died at.

  74. I’m afraid of reconnecting with my dad. Where will our relationship go this time?

  75. I am afraid that if I trust God with anything that the good gifts He will give me are so different from the good gifts He has given me over the past few years that I will regret giving them up. Finally being pregnant at 42 after being married for the first time at age 40, I don’t know what I would do if “anything” meant I had to give up husband and/or baby.

  76. I am afraid that taking the steps to respond in a healthy way to the elephant in our living room, our family secret, will cause me to lose my family, my reputation, and my usability (is that a word?) by God. I’m scared women will see a scared, tired, messy failure instead of a strong, energetic, victor in Christ…or are both really the same?

    I just came across your book last night. I prayed the prayer. Or at least I prayed to be willing to pray the prayer and really, really, really mean it. Thank you.

  77. I am afraid of disease/pain.
    I am afraid of not being able to provide for my family.
    I am afraid of dying alone.

  78. I am afraid …. of what you said, of not being enough or doing it right. I want to do radical things for God but am afraid to step out and fail.

  79. I am afraid of my kidney disease and crohns disease gettting worse. I have the most amazing husband that is so compassionate, loving, that helps me so much through my health battles. We’ll soon be married 5 years. We both had spouses that cheated on us in our first marriages, but I know it was God that brought us together. We’ll soon both be 50 and just want to grow old together. I just pray that we will.

    • I was afraid of the same thing. I am 57, single again, and the grief did end. Our Heavnely Father is ENOUGH. Jesus is ENOUGH. His grace really is sufficient.
      Be encouraged sister!

      • Thank you, Shari. I appreciate you reaching out in encouragement. I’ve had so little in the last several years. The losses have piled up higher than I ever could have imagined, and most ‘friends’ have walked away – until “I am afraid I will have nobody left.” But, YES, I am never without God!”

        • Hi Ann,
          Peace and grace to you in Christ Jesus. I do not presume to know what you are going through, or where you are in Christ at this moment. But I assure you, the Lord will use it for your good, if you keep pressing in and seeking His face. It is my testimony, I have been there. The losses were substantial. All I knew was to cling to Jesus and take the next step each day. And one step at a time Jesus healed my heart. We cannot under estimate our Heavenly Father. I will pray for you Precious Ann, daughter of the King.

  80. I am afraid of what our next step will be if my husband doesn’t get the job he is interviewing for. I HATE that I feel that way as I know I have NOTHING to fear on my journey if God is the one leading me.

  81. I am afraid that if I let go… Every thing will go completely wrong. And in that, I am afraid simply do not trust God in the way that I say that I do. And I am afraid of being afraid.

  82. I will never love someone that much unconditionally again.
    Of being alone. Of being unable to get out of this rut.
    And being lost for the rest of my life.

  83. I am afraid of taking down my masks and being completely honest with myself and others. I am afraid I am giving up too much for my husband, and losing myself in the process. I am afraid of being so far away from home and getting stuck.

  84. I am afraid of being asked to let go of something/someone that will be heartbreaking to lose.

  85. Afraid of my husband living in bitterness of soul for the rest of his life over the homegoing of our son who is safe in the arms of Jesus!

  86. I am afraid that more painful trials and losses and griefs will fill our future. After 3 years of infertility, losing our precious baby to miscarriage and now a failed adoption- I fear we may never have children in our family and that our future will be marked only by griefs.

  87. I am afraid of having to live a ‘boring’ life in order to serve God. I am afraid the plans He has for me are ‘average’ and I want ‘more’ than average.

  88. I am afraid of growing old alone. Apart of me believe God is sending someone to me, but I struggle with why he is waiting so long.

  89. Matthew 5:29-30 “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.”

    I’m afraid this isn’t just some metaphor. I’m afraid of being so lost in sin and deep in rebellion that I will all but LITERALLY stand at a fork in the road: dismembered in this life to my left, eternal suffering in hell in the one to come on my right. I’m afraid I’m always going to prefermy limbs.

  90. I am afraid of God assigning me more that is just plain hard. I have read your book already, and, though I did end up finishing it, I had to put it down several times because it was upsetting and just too much for me to take. Like you said, sometimes God takes people up on their offer and their “anything” ends up being something very unpleasant. I just don’t think I can take one more thing that is sanctifying and good for me eternally (like my strained marriage and financial difficulties), but gut-wrenching in the here and now.

  91. I am afraid of what others think of me….because somewhere along the way, I have mistakenly placed my value in their thoughts.

  92. …of giving my life to Him completely. What if I can’t? What if my selfish, human desires take over and I can’t give my all to the Lord? If I fail, will I lose eternity?

  93. I am afraid that I will be a disappointment to God, my friends and family, and myself.

  94. I am afraid of my chronic health problems “ruining” my life: keeping me from finding a husband, losing my dream job, not being able to stay employed, struggling financially, etc. But most of all, I fear that I may become bitter towards God in particular, and life in general.

  95. I am enjoying your book so much. I love Jesus and I am always in search of material to stir me up to love God with all of me and for material to either equip me to better communicate how great God is or to use in a small group setting. ANYTHING is deep and authentic and I believe we will be using it in our small group soon. I am enthralled with Jesus- He really meets all my needs and fills me with such deep joy but it sounds clique or false to most when I say it. I really feel your writing can help to display this truth in way many can connect with. Thank you for writing.

    We also had an optional summer book club on Kisses for Katie- those who signed up (not many) were moved by it and the beauty of her life spent on God is still working it’s way down into us. Many though were scared off by it and a look of guilt passed upon the faces of some because they are not in a place where they can even get it, yet. I really appreciate how your book explains in a relate-able how you got to that place of loving God with all of us so we are wiling to do ANYTHING He asks.

  96. I’m afraid of speaking the truth in love because I am afraid my friend(s) will push me away. I’m afraid of what people think of me – it stops me from living radically.

  97. I’m afraid that if i am obedient to God, and it doesn’t ‘work out’, my husband will be upset with me. And I will be upset with me.

  98. Woah, what a lot of fears have been shared and so many I relate to. I think I live in fear of reliance on others perhaps growing up in somewhat dysfunctional but loving home- ultimately this means I want control myself over things that really God only can control. It is distrust of others and ultimately God. I found John Pipers material on battling unbelief ( manifested in anxiety) helpful and I still go back to it. Jennie’s book has shaken my complacent heart which longs for safety and comfort rather than trusting Gods security in all situations. As its such an ingrained habit I am do glad for fellow Christians like Jennie reminding me to move ahead in faith. Psalm 56 v 3 says ‘when I am afraid I put my trust in you’- literally I recite this over and over sometimes and pray that I will hold onto God’s security not my quasi control I think I have achieved in any situation. Thanks so much all of you sharing.