Tony and Alice Practise this every day.
Tony was a man who had become stale in his faith and bored.
He had watched people who were stagnant in their lives go to university, complete a three or four-year degree, and emerge as transformed individuals with new lives.
He also observed his children as they attended university, noting how each course required special books that contained all the information they needed to pass their exams.
One day, Tony realized that the New Testament of the Bible had 27 different books.
He thought to himself, “What if I treat these 27 books as a university course?”
In 2011, Tony decided to conduct an experiment.
For three years, from February 2011 until January 2014, he committed to reading those 27 books every week.
However, he decided to read them out loud.
This practice took him about 3.5 hours each day.
His goal was to see if immersing himself in the New Testament in this manner would change his life and help him grow his faith.
By the end of his three-year journey, Tony was a changed man.
He became a better father and husband.
And wrote a book about his experience, the book was called, “How To Be Rich in Faith”.
When his wife, Alice, noticed the profound change in Tony, she decided to ask him about his experiment.
Tony explained the rigorous nature of reading all 27 books, but he also shared the transformative impact it had on him.
Intrigued but daunted by the challenge, Alice and Tony decided to start with a smaller selection.
They chose four books: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
These books took about 1 hour and 15 minutes to read out loud each day.
After a month of this practice, Alice experienced a surprising transformation.
Her faith had increased.
And she noticed that as faith went up, anxiety went down.
She felt like a completely new person, full of faith.
It was a wonderful discovery—Alice had accidently found a way to lower anxiety.
Six months later, Alice met a young woman at church named Nancy.
Nancy suffered from anxiety due to an abusive childhood.
Alice and Nancy decided to meet for lunch at a park in the middle of Wellington, New Zealand.
During their lunch, Alice shared the miracle of reading the Bible out loud.
She explained to Nancy that reading it aloud allowed the words to enter both their ears and eyes, doubling the power of the scriptures.
Alice recommended the four books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.
Nancy agreed to try it for a month. In the first week, she noticed a slight improvement in her anxiety.
By the second week, she felt stronger.
In the third week, she started experiencing a new sense of joy.
By the fourth week, she felt almost completely normal for the first time in her life.
Overwhelmed with happiness, Nancy phoned Lorna to share the good news.
Alice was thrilled and asked Nancy to write down her experience in an email.
She wanted to share this testimony with other young women who also suffered from anxiety.
Tony’s journey of faith and the subsequent impact on Alice and Nancy demonstrated the transformative power of the scriptures.
By treating the Bible as a university course and committing to reading it out loud, they found not only spiritual renewal but also a cure for anxiety.
Their stories became an inspiration, spreading hope and encouraging others to discover the life-changing power of God’s word.
Here is Nancy’s email to Alice.
Subject: My Journey to Healing from Anxiety
Dear Alice,
I hope this message finds you well.
I wanted to share my story with you, as you requested.
I truly believe that my experience could offer hope to others who are struggling with anxiety and panic attacks.
Here’s my journey over the past month:
Some Background
For nine years, I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks, living in constant terror.
My life was dominated by fear, and when it became too overwhelming, I would have a panic attack.
My heart rate would skyrocket, I’d break out in a cold sweat, feel detached from reality, and be convinced I was going to die.
I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety and Panic Disorder and was put on medication.
While the medication helped, I always hoped for a something better.
Thanks to a friend’s generosity, I saw a counsellor who taught me breathing techniques.
These helped calm the attacks but never eliminated them.
However, there were times when the frequency of attacks slowed enough for me to live a somewhat normal life.
The longest period of near-normal living was when I graduated from college, secured a steady job, and had been married for just over a year.
Social situations were particularly challenging, and I avoided them whenever possible, though I felt that attending church was important.
Alice’s Suggestion
A month ago, you suggested that I try reading the books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians aloud every day for a month.
You mentioned that reading them out loud would double the power, as it would go into my ears and my eyes.
Intrigued and hopeful, I decided to give it a try.
The First Week
During the first week, I noticed a subtle change.
My anxiety seemed to lessen slightly, and I felt a bit more at ease.
It was a small improvement, but it gave me hope.
The Second Week
By the second week, I felt stronger.
The incessant stream of worry began to quiet down, and my heart didn’t race as much.
The cold sweats and panic attacks started to diminish.
The Third Week
In the third week, I experienced a new sense of joy.
I hadn’t felt this way in years.
The joy wasn’t overwhelming, but it was steady and real.
It made me realize just how much my anxiety had stolen from me.
The Fourth Week
By the fourth week, I felt almost completely normal for the first time in my life.
The constant worry, racing heart, and panic attacks had all but disappeared.
I could face social situations without fear.
It was as if a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders.
Looking Back
Reflecting on my nine years of anxiety, I am in awe of how often God met me in my place of fear.
He brought me through countless panic attacks and the challenges of everyday life.
Despite the anxiety, I graduated from university, got married, and maintained a steady job—all because God was with me every step of the way.
God’s Promises
I had heard promises like Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11 but never understood how they applied to me.
Now, I see that my anxiety and panic attacks were not a part of God’s plan for me.
Looking Ahead
It’s been a month since I started this journey, and I no longer feel like a prisoner to my own mind.
While not everything is perfect, I can now face the future with confidence, knowing God is in control.
I still struggle with worry out of habit, but it no longer controls me.
Conclusion
Alice, thank you for your suggestion and support.
I am so grateful for the peace and healing I have found.
Please share my story with other young women who suffer from anxiety.
I hope it brings them the same hope and healing it has brought me.
Tell them this truth:
“If You Increase Your Faith, You Will Lower Your Anxiety.”
Warm regards,
Nancy
Tony’s book, “How to Be Rich in Faith” on Amazon and Google Play.
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