Consider the Lilies

There is an undeniable weight to this book. If you are looking for a work that is "steeped in Scripture" and refuses to compromise on the sufficiency of God’s character, this has delivered exactly that. It felt like a "hearty meal" (nutritious, faithful, and grounding). However, like any meal, the experience depends heavily on how it's served and how hungry you are for that specific flavor.

The greatest strength of Consider the Lilies is its refusal to offer platitudes. Ardavanis avoids the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality and instead redirects the gaze toward the heavens. I was particularly struck by the inclusion of a thought from Martyn Lloyd-Jones: "Faith refuses to panic because there is no panic in heaven, only plans." That single line perfectly encapsulates the book’s mission: to remind us that our internal chaos does not reflect a celestial reality.

For a new or "fledgling believer," this is an absolute goldmine. It binds together foundational wisdom about who God is and maps it directly onto our suffering.

I’ll be honest: I struggled with the structure. While the content is solid, I found the chapters to be very repetitive. It felt like the same core truths were being circled back to in a way that made the momentum stall.

While I didn't disagree with his thoughts on anxiety, there’s a part of me that felt it didn't go quite deep enough into the "why" of more complex, clinical anxiety. For those of us dealing with disorders that feel entirely out of our control, where the brain's "check engine" light is stuck on regardless of circumstances, the advice felt a bit base-level.

It’s wonderful for situational fear or the general worries of life, but for the "mature believer" or someone navigating deep-seated psychological complexities, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more nuance beyond the (albeit beautiful) theological foundations.

I would definitely recommend this book to someone currently battling fear, depression, or anxiety. It is a faithful, biblically-rooted companion. If you are a new believer, buy the physical book and a highlighter. If you are a seasoned saint looking for a fresh academic or psychological breakthrough, this might feel like familiar territory, but it’s a good "reset" for the soul nonetheless.