Afraid of All the Things by Scarlet Hiltibidal Summary
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?
About the author
Scarlet Hiltibidal is the Christian author and speaker behind Afraid of All the Things, a faith-based exploration of overcoming fear and anxiety through biblical truths. Specializing in Christian living and mental health, Hiltibidal draws from her unconventional life experiences—including international adoption, chronic health challenges, and a childhood immersed in entertainment culture—to craft relatable narratives grounded in gospel-centered resilience.
A former elementary school teacher with a degree in Biblical counseling, she regularly contributes to ParentLife Magazine and She Reads Truth, and her other works include the devotional He Numbered the Pores on My Face and the candid memoir You’re the Worst Person in the World.
Hiltibidal’s writing merges humor with vulnerability, reflecting her mission to help readers find freedom in Christ rather than self-reliance. Her Anxious and Ashamed Bible studies are widely used in women’s ministries, and she speaks nationally about spiritual rest amid life’s uncertainties. Based in Tennessee with her husband and three daughters, Hiltibidal’s work continues to resonate with audiences seeking hope-driven solutions to modern fears.
FAQs About This Book
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
12117"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
12108"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
25417"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
964.5K"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
20116"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
37483"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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