Afraid of All the Things Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Q: What is *Afraid of All the Things* by Scarlet Hiltibidal about?

*Afraid of All the Things* is a Christian memoir exploring how Scarlet Hiltibidal overcame lifelong fears through faith, blending personal stories like adopting a deaf child from China with biblical teachings. It emphasizes trusting God’s sovereignty, arguing that Christ’s victory on the cross nullifies fear’s power, even amid health crises or parenting challenges.

Afraid of All the Things

Scarlet Hiltibidal

4.39 (1384 Reviews)

Health

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Self-growth

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From SNL green rooms to adoption anxieties, Scarlet Hiltibidal's memoir transforms paralyzing fear into faith-fueled courage. Released just before COVID-19, this surprisingly humorous journey resonates deeply with Christians seeking peace amid life's storms. What if your greatest fears hide your greatest growth?

What is Afraid of All the Things by Scarlet Hiltibidal about?

Afraid of All the Things is a Christian memoir exploring how Scarlet Hiltibidal overcame lifelong fears through faith, blending personal stories like adopting a deaf child from China with biblical teachings. It emphasizes trusting God’s sovereignty, arguing that Christ’s victory on the cross nullifies fear’s power, even amid health crises or parenting challenges.

Who should read Afraid of All the Things?

This book targets Christians struggling with anxiety or fear, particularly parents, adoptive families, and those navigating health crises. Its humor and vulnerability also appeal to readers seeking faith-based perspectives on overcoming irrational or existential fears.

What are the main themes in Afraid of All the Things?

Key themes include surrendering fear to God’s love, finding peace in Christ’s sacrifice, and embracing grace amid life’s unpredictability. Scarlet uses adoption, illness, and everyday anxieties to illustrate how faith reshapes responses to fear.

How does Scarlet Hiltibidal address anxiety in the book?

Hiltibidal acknowledges anxiety as both a spiritual and physiological struggle, advocating prayer and scriptural truth while validating professional mental health support. She shares her own journey of catastrophizing and how grounding in God’s character brought relief.

What role does adoption play in Afraid of All the Things?

Adoption serves as a central narrative, detailing Hiltibidal’s emotional journey adopting a deaf child from China. She recounts initial fears of inadequacy, eventual reliance on God’s strength, and the transformative power of love in overcoming obstacles.

What is the significance of the quote “Jesus broke brokenness” in the book?

This quote encapsulates the book’s core message: Christ’s resurrection defeats fear’s permanence. Hiltibidal argues that even in suffering or death, believers’ ultimate security lies in God’s triumph, making earthly fears temporary.

How does Afraid of All the Things blend humor with serious topics?

Hiltibidal uses self-deprecating humor to discuss fears like tornadoes or cancer, balancing heavy themes with levity. This approach makes the book relatable while underscoring that faith doesn’t require minimizing struggles.

What critiques exist about Afraid of All the Things?

While praised for vulnerability, the book’s heavy reliance on Christian theology may limit appeal to secular audiences. Some may find its focus on spiritual solutions overlooks practical anxiety-management techniques.

How does Scarlet Hiltibidal use personal stories to teach biblical lessons?

She ties experiences like her daughter’s adoption or health scares to scriptures like 1 John 4:18 (“Perfect love casts out fear”), showing how God’s faithfulness in her life applies universally to readers’ fears.

What makes Afraid of All the Things unique among Christian self-help books?

Its raw honesty about ongoing struggles—rather than claiming fearlessness—sets it apart. Hiltibidal avoids clichés, advocating continual reliance on Christ rather than quick fixes, which resonates with readers facing persistent anxiety.

How does the book advise handling fear of future crises?

Hiltibidal urges readers to focus on Christ’s past victory, not future unknowns. By accepting life’s unpredictability and trusting God’s sovereignty, fear loses its grip, even if circumstances remain unresolved.

What lessons does Afraid of All the Things offer adoptive parents?

The book emphasizes surrendering control, relying on community, and trusting God’s provision in adoption’s challenges. Hiltibidal’s journey highlights how love and faith overcome initial fears of inadequacy.

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Key takeaways

When Fear Becomes Your Default Setting

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At just five years old, I collapsed in aisle six of Winn Dixie, convinced my appendix was rupturing after reading about it in the children's book Madeline. This wasn't just childhood imagination - it was the beginning of a lifelong battle with fear. My "nervous stomach" arrived shortly after my parents divorced and followed me everywhere. The doctors always confirmed I was perfectly healthy, suggesting I "stop reading the encyclopedia so much." But the fear remained, a constant companion that colored my world. Fear has a way of rewriting our stories. What begins as occasional worry can transform into a lens through which we view everything. We become people defined by our anxieties - the ones who check the locks three times, who catastrophize minor symptoms, who lie awake planning escape routes from imagined disasters. The problem isn't just that we feel afraid; it's that fear becomes our default setting, our primary response to a world that suddenly seems filled with threats rather than possibilities. Growing up as a frequent flyer between LAX, LGA, and MIA, I memorized safety procedures better than the flight attendants. When I learned planes could crash, flying became terrifying - until a flight attendant told me airplanes had giant springs underneath that would bounce them back into the sky if they fell. This sweet lie bought me years of peaceful air travel. As we age, we collect more sophisticated versions of these comforting lies: avoiding certain neighborhoods, sitting behind drivers for crash protection, installing security systems after neighbors are robbed. These measures provide temporary comfort but never true peace. Nothing we control can prevent a truck explosion on the interstate, cancer in loved ones, or a mosquito carrying disease. There are no preventative measures against miscarriages or late-night accident calls.

The Paradox of Surrender and Control

Finding Peace in Unexpected Places

The Beauty of Weakness and Surrender

Finding Identity Beyond Fear

From Fear to Freedom

Living Beyond Fear and Finding Redemption

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Afraid of All the Things isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Health. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

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Afraid of All the Things by Scarlet Hiltibidal Summary

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