Anyone who suffers from an anxiety related disorder will benefit from this easy-to-read helpful book. Dr. Claire Weekes demystifies the root that causes panic driven disorders. She explains the way our bodies at times become over-sensitized which causes nervous illness, an over-stimulated anxious state similar to a bad case of nerves. The nerves cause a frightening set of physical sensations. These are compounded by the mind’s relentless reminder of their presence. The author offers key solutions that offer a turn-around from the constant  suffering. Panic attacks, severe anxiety states, heart pounding and racing, fear induced sensations of nausea, insomnia, agoraphobia and such can be highly constricting to the enjoyment of life. Those of us who have suffered in such a way, know that symptoms caused by the anxiety can derail the pleasure of the smallest of outings. The heart begins to pound, the stomach begins to churn, the panic begins to surface, the fears begin to make us want to escape. We want to get away from those who might see us, and we wish to return back home to our place of safety. Weekes shows us that panic attacks and heightened anxiety is related to a constant and reinforced fear of the physical symptoms.  The sufferer learns that they can breathe through and accept their panic and quit being afraid of it.

By not fighting the panic and realizing you will be fine, by letting the panic run its course and not being frightened by it, the sufferer is able to begin shedding the layers of fear that are connected to the panic.

More than we may readily admit to, our physical condition impacts our spiritual and emotional health. The Daniel Fast is a tool which leads the reader to a thoughtful and well-planned blend of body-to-spirit awareness designed with a spiritual purpose in mind. Scripture references highlight different spiritual disciplines that require adhering to and purposed endeavor. One of these, the discipline of fasting, is often mentioned. Depending on one’s background, the person may have participated in fasting or they may not have.

This is a whole new opportunity to facilitate growth in the inner person through denying self of certain foods and drinks. Susan Gregory offers this book as a guide for a form of partial “fasting,” a fast that allows the foods eaten by Daniel and the three Hebrew boys during their initial period of  Babylonian captivity. For spiritual reasons, these young men refused to eat the King’s food and drink. Instead, they drank water and ate pulse, any seed-bearing food (vegetables, fruits, and grains). They fared very well.

As Gregory explains, a true “fast” is a relationship of denying food or drink for the purpose of a spiritual goal. The Daniel Fast incorporates devotionals, biblical background, a food list, and recipes. It is easy to read but serious in intent. My church ladies have participated in the Daniel Fast two times and are eager to do it again. They also purchased the workbook which works well as a compliment study. This is an excellent group activity. We saw much improvement in our physical health during the fast and also noticed a sharpness in our spiritual side as we completed the study.