The first thing that strikes you about this book is its gut-wrenching honesty. Merchant doesn't flinch from sharing the difficulties he experienced in childhood, and the impact these have had on his relationships and emotional well-being. The book journeys from more negative emotions and feelings to positive ones, and I felt this was a helpful way to frame the author's own development. The book resists the temptation evidenced in some Christian writing to offer glib answers, which I find to be a more honest declaration of faith than a book which has all the solutions neatly sewn up. This book will be beneficial to those who are struggling with negative emotions - for whatever reason - and also for those who pastorally care for them.

A stunning book; full of hope and help which is a must read for both people who've lived through mental illness, but also anyone who wants to understand more.

This is a book I needed to read but didn’t know it. Dealing with shame, story, abuse, forgiveness, reconciliation, mental health, love, adoption and hope this easily readable and digestible book is punching well above its 160 page weight. Rob’s writing took me on a journey of pain, joy, hope, and love.
I have to admit straight off to knowing Rob a little, as a student at the theological college where he teaches. Rob is a humble, honest and Godly man and that comes across loud and clear in this book.
I hadn’t really thought that this book would speak to me, I was reading it out of interest in the author, but the themes of shame, story, forgiveness and hope are ones that spoke deep into my soul. It reminded me that I am imperfect but perfectly loved, as we all are, and that I am called to be me, just as I am, and in that God loves me perfectly and completely.
Rob writes about his visit to Rwanda and I was privileged to be part of that trip. As he recounted his experiences of hearing the stories of forgiveness and reconciliation I was immediately transported back, and God spoke again to me about what I had seen and heard there. It nudged me to discomfort at how I had forgotten some of the lessons I’d learnt there.
It seems especially fitting at this time of global pandemic, of unrest, a time when Black Lives Matter has entered the forefronts of the global media and protest, that in this book Rob talks about reconciliation coming through understanding of ‘other’, forgiveness as acted, intentional and lived out, finding ways to live in Christ as we have all been forgiven. This image of the body of Christ, made up of vastly different people, bound together by a common Saviour, seems to be a beacon for our times. In this there is great hope for a transformed world.
I also greatly appreciated Rob’s gentle but clear explanations of shame, and the need to forgive oneself. Not an easy topic, but written honestly and accessibly.
In one sense an easy, fast read; in another a piece of writing that will grab you, niggle at you and force you to engage in things that are not always comfortable. Great work.

Broken by Fear, Anchored by Hope gives real insight into the issues of fear, anxiety and depression through a recounting of the personal experiences of the author. It is a story of immense hope in Jesus Christ, whilst living with the realities of brokenness. Many of us will be able to relate to elements of the narrative, but the strand of hope woven through the book offers moment's of joy and light amongst darkness.

The book is brutally honest about the struggles of anxiety and depression, of traumatic life events, yet in the end and without dismissing the truth of those things gives you hope that no matter what you might face, you can conquer fear through a faith in a saviour who cares and loves so deeply that He is a constant reassurance. It is deeply and thoroughly scriptural and weaves relevant passages into the tapestry portraying the story.

It made me cry, it gave me joy, I read it for the first time in one sitting and will undoubtedly read it again and encourage others to do the same. Even if you would say have never struggled with any of these issues, I would encourage you to read this, it strips away the darkness and concealment there often is around this subject and enables a level of understanding that will help you relate to those you know that have these issues, it might even bring home a few truths in your own life.

In the end this is a book of hope, however many hurts there have been and may continue to be, hope shines out.

What an amazing book. This is a book by a vicar, who works at a theological college, but who has a traumatic past and struggles with his mental health. It is honest and it is vulnerable. It tackles issues such as fear, shame, anger, despair. But overall it is a book of hope, hope that when you've hit the bottom, the only way is up. Hope that no matter how you're feeling, God has never left you. It is grounded in scriputure, partciulary the Psalms, which highlights that the feelings you're feeling are biblical, it's ok to feel them. But overall it is a story of love. The Father's love for us. He loved us so much that He would send his only son to die for us. It isn't an easy read but once you've read it you'll be glad you did. I will recommend this book to every Christian, if they suffer with their Mental health as a book of Hope, and if they don't then as an education.