Postpone worry?  Using surfer phrases to get you through the day?  Starve your triggers?

Do these sound like the kind of pep-talk lines that you’re used to hearing?  Not me.  In fact, I had to read some of those tips twice to make sure that I understood them correctly.  I received this book to review and it was just what I needed that day. I do tend to be a worrier, even over things that I can’t control, so the idea of putting off that worry is completely difficult for me.  Like a true friend, Debora Coty isn’t afraid to give her readers a swift kick in the hiney to remind them that God’s the boss.  Coty shares heartfelt stories like the one about her friend Debbie who prayed for a turkey and ended up with a freezer full of meat.  Reading that story made me want to go out and buy someone a turkey!

Simple things in this book encouraged me to engage in the chapters.  For example, rather than writing out every single Bible verse, Coty lists a few and expects the reader to look them up and reflect.  After all, I’m a big girl…..shouldn’t I be able to open up my Bible and look up Scripture?  Taking that ownership over my walk with God is so important, and too often I find myself sitting back and coasting.  It reminds me of the mornings in church when I just sit back and listen to the minister read a passage, rather than opening my Bible and following along.   I expect my students to use their books in class, shouldn’t I do the same when I’m the student?   Those points hit me and made an impression.

Fear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolate was a refreshing look at the Christian I’ve become and the Christian I want to be.  It’s a book that will be passed on with joy, so that one of my friends can enjoy the ride with me.  I’m grateful that I got to be part of this book tour!