Maria Furlough is a wife, a mother of five, and the head of women's ministry at Lake Forest Church in Huntersville, North Carolina. She has been writing and teaching Bible studies for 14 years and currently writes on the blog True Worth at www.mariafurlough.com.

When fear rises up, our first instinct may be to either completely avoid it or to fall victim to worst-case scenarios. Maria Furlough offers an alternative, issuing the invitation to break the fear cycle altogether in this gentle and deeply personal book.

Emily P. Freeman, author of Simply Tuesday

Fear finds its paralyzing power in its ability to mentally transport us into imaginary places of pain where the reality of God’s presence, power, and provision never show up. Maria Furlough has written a helpful book filled with practical and real-life wisdom for breaking the cycle of fear and faithfully overcoming the harsher realities of life in a painful and broken world.

Larry Osborne, pastor, North Coast Church, and author

If you’ve ever had fear that kept you from freedom (and who among us hasn’t?), then you have a friend in Maria Furlough. Drawing deeply from her own experience and with vulnerability and courage, Maria encourages us to step forward confidently in Christ. Her story will inspire you; her biblical knowledge and practical wisdom will help you break the fear cycle and move forward into peace. I couldn’t put this book down, and I look forward to sharing it with everyone I know who struggles with fear and needs hope for a better future!

Nicole Unice, pastor, counselor, and author of Brave Enough

I met Maria Furlough in the middle of my fear. I was speaking at an event near her home. She knew I was battling anxiety so she came to me and prayed the words of Jesus over me: “Fear not.” That’s the woman who is guiding you through this journey. She’s someone who shows up to whisper “fear not” in your ear so you can be the woman God created you to be. In this book, Maria offers welcome wisdom—earned in the trenches—that will help you break the fear cycle and find the peace your heart longs for.

Jennifer Dukes Lee, author of The Happiness Dare and Love Idol

Maria is a trustworthy spiritual guide to so many people in our church, where she worships and serves. If fear and anxiety are unwelcome parts of your life, don’t read this book. Instead, open your life up to Maria’s insightful mentorship by prayerfully interacting with these pages. Her story is both heart-wrenching and heart-freeing. With remarkable insight, she invites us to join her in the peaceful way of life Jesus offers to all.

Dr. Mike Moses, lead pastor, Lake Forest Church, Charlotte, NC; president, Evangelical Presbyterian denomination, 2015; adjunct faculty, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

From the moment Maria called and told me her deepest fear was coming true, I wondered how her life would change. Maria lived through her fear with a relatable humanity while releasing control, uncovering a life of true peace, and writing it all down along the way in this fear-to-freedom handbook. Grab a fresh set of highlighters—you’re going to need them.

Myquillyn Smith, author of The Nesting Place

When we’re afraid, we don’t need an optimist to deny our worries or a disciplinarian to condemn our anxiety; we need a truth-telling friend who points us to our Savior. Maria Furlough is that friend. In Breaking the Fear Cycle, she acknowledges our greatest fears and lovingly guides us through God’s Word to find our peace and confidence in the Lord.

Marissa Henley, author of Loving Your Friend Through Cancer