Book Review - Living Fearless by Jamie Winship

Jamie Winship was a D.C. police officer for several years before beginning his career in foreign countries ministering to Muslims. It is hard to understand how his work helping unsettled people come to terms with their true identity and their fears and their situation could have been separated from his presentation of the gospel, because to him they were and are a single, integrated way of seeing life. But finding your true identity in God opened the door in approaching Muslims.

The author presents a few key principles.

•      If we don’t derive our identity from God, worldly or fleshly things (such as our job, finances, ambition, family, desires, etc.) will define who we are, and we will be perpetually afraid that we won’t measure up.

•      We have a false identity, which is based on false evidence appearing real (FEAR).

•      A step in evicting this false identity is truth-telling, being real about ourselves. Satan can’t stand truth-telling.

•      Fear is a reaction telling us to be alert, but we must not let fear dictate our decisions. Decisions must be based on what God says to us, personally and in His word.

•      If we ask God how He sees us, and act in accordance with His view of our identity, we have the assurance and security that He has our back.  Even if we fall short, He will make it right, so we need not fear. So we need to ask Him what He sees us as.

•      Finding our identity in God is an ongoing, continuous process, but has a starting point. Some people hear from God immediately and some need a few months to discern His voice.

•      Our understanding of our God-given identity continues to be refined all our lives, but the core of who He sees us as remains solid and unchanging.

•      We should ask God two questions on a daily basis, in every situation:

•      What do You want me to know?

•      What do You want me to do?

If we ask ponderous questions about theology or why things are the way they are, we are likely muddying the waters.

 There are also many podcasts and interviews in which Jamie expounds on one or more of these principles. In addition, he often tells stories that are not included in the book.

•      He explains how, as a new police officer, he found a kidnapped child by asking the Lord and then following his gut.

•      He talks about his son’s skateboard ministry that started in sixth grade, and continued through high school, through two tours in foreign countries.

•      He was in a remote part of some apparently God-forsaken wilderness with the leaders of a small tribe. He had a team of three, their hosts set a table for four. When they asked why, they were told that the fourth was for their bodyguard, who was standing outside, a very large man with a sword. They couldn’t see him but the natives could.

The total scope of Jamie’s ministry and worldview is far too complex to summarize quickly, or even be contained in a single book. The core message is that if we get our identity from God and pursue life based on who He says we are, we can overcome the lies of Satan and the world about who we are, to live the life God calls us to. And we need to ask God in every situation what He wants to tell us about the circumstances and what He wants us to do. The stories he tells should encourage believers of all ages to step out in faith when the Lord prompts them.