Fight, Flight
and Faith
A life with anxiety and Jesus
When nineteen-year-old Nikki lost her older brother, Greg, in a car accident, her stable world of faith and family became unsafe overnight. This was followed by a painful, decades-long journey with clinical anxiety and panic disorder—a journey that involved seasons of trying to fight and flee from the pain—and, eventually, the beginnings of an expanded, re‑awakened faith.
For the ever-increasing number of people suffering the pain of anxiety, for the weary, for those who fear they have failed themselves, others, and God; for strung-out believers constantly stretching and straining for a piece of peace; this book is a reminder that wherever we stand, Jesus—our older brother, our refuge, and our fellow sufferer—is ever near, beckoning us to come join him on the journey.
Can a Christian be anxious
and still have faith?
What people are saying
Steve Baird
CEO, International Justice Mission
"This memoir is achingly beautiful."
NATHAN TASKER
Nikki Florence Thompson has a PhD in literature from Macquarie University and has taught undergraduate writing in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. She blogs at nikkifthompson.com on issues of faith, mental health, and parenting. Nikki loves living near the water in Queensland with her husband, Mike, three rambunctious children, and a highly photogenic puppy.
Meet Nikki
Connect with Nikki
"Blessedly free of trite theological and pastoral bromides, Nikki invites us to take refuge in the arms of a gracious and compassionate God, one who knows and numbers all our anxious tears."
Rev Dr Ian Maddock
Senior theology lecturer, Sydney Missionary and Bible College
As a Christian brother, I am thankful that this book helps to normalise the interaction between anxiety and trusting in God. And as a pastor, I am thrilled that the church is now equipped with this magnificent resource, as suffering hearts and minds embrace daily dependence on our good and gracious God.
Greg Cooper
Editor, writer, and Australasian Religious Press Association President 2019 – 2021
A life with anxiety and Jesus
Fight, Flight and Faith
"This memoir is achingly beautiful."
NATHAN TASKER
When nineteen-year-old Nikki lost her older brother, Greg, in a car accident, her stable world of faith and family became unsafe overnight. This was followed by a painful, decades-long journey with clinical anxiety and panic disorder—a journey that involved seasons of trying to fight and flee from the pain—and, eventually, the beginnings of an expanded, re‑awakened faith.
For the ever-increasing number of people suffering the pain of anxiety, for the weary, for those who fear they have failed themselves, others, and God; for strung-out believers constantly stretching and straining for a piece of peace; this book is a reminder that wherever we stand, Jesus—our older brother, our refuge, and our fellow sufferer—is ever near, beckoning us to come join him on the journey.
Can a Christian
be anxious and
still have faith?
An anxiety disorder is not
a faith disorder
The first 100 readers to purchase their copy of Fight, Flight and Faith will receive a FREE Inge Flinte print inspired by the book*
Meet Nikki
Nikki Florence Thompson has a PhD in literature from Macquarie University and has taught undergraduate writing in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. She blogs at nikkifthompson.com on issues of faith, mental health, and parenting. Nikki loves living near the water in Queensland with her husband, Mike, three rambunctious children, and a highly photogenic puppy.
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
"This book is for everyone whose post-2020 life looks like ‘a crushed question mark’. In the days of global pandemic and gaping loneliness and loss, Nikki isn’t afraid to look hard questions in the eye, and offers an answer from the gut of her lifelong and unlikely friendship with anxiety. This book was the soul IV I didn’t know I desperately needed."
"Blessedly free of trite theological and pastoral bromides, Nikki invites us to take refuge in the arms of a gracious and compassionate God, one who knows and numbers all our anxious tears."
Rev Dr Ian Maddock
Senior theology lecturer, Sydney Missionary and Bible College
Rev Dr Ian Maddock
Senior theology lecturer, Sydney Missionary and Bible College
"Blessedly free of trite theological and pastoral bromides, Nikki invites us to take refuge in the arms of a gracious and compassionate God, one who knows and numbers all our anxious tears."
Sophia Sinclair
Editor, writer, and Australasian Religious Press Association President 2019 – 2021
"Fight Flight and Faith: A Life with Anxiety and Jesus avoids the trite triumphalism too many faith-centred stories rely on. Instead, readers find solace in knowing we walk the journey together as pilgrims who are fully known by a God who is big enough to hold us fast in all of life’s storms"
As a Christian brother, I am thankful that this book helps to normalise the interaction between anxiety and trusting in God. And as a pastor, I am thrilled that the church is now equipped with this magnificent resource, as suffering hearts and minds embrace daily dependence on our good and gracious God.
Greg Cooper
Editor, writer, and Australasian Religious Press Association President 2019 – 2021
What people are saying
The first 100 readers to purchase their copy of Fight, Flight and Faith will receive a FREE Inge Flinte print inspired by the book.*
Pre-order special
*Offer valid for Australia/NZ purchases only.
*Offer valid for Australia/NZ purchases only.
"Blessedly free of trite theological and pastoral bromides, Nikki invites us to take refuge in the arms of a gracious and compassionate God, one who knows and numbers all our anxious tears."
Rev Dr Ian Maddock
Senior theology lecturer, Sydney Missionary and Bible College
"Fight Flight and Faith: A Life with Anxiety and Jesus avoids the trite triumphalism too many faith-centred stories rely on. Instead, readers find solace in knowing we walk the journey together as pilgrims who are fully known by a God who is big enough to hold us fast in all of life’s storms"
Sophia Sinclair
Editor, writer, and Australasian Religious Press Association President 2019 – 2021
As a Christian brother, I am thankful that this book helps to normalise the interaction between anxiety and trusting in God. And as a pastor, I am thrilled that the church is now equipped with this magnificent resource, as suffering hearts and minds embrace daily dependence on our good and gracious God.
Greg Cooper
Songwriter & Musician; Gatherings & Music Pastor
St Jude’s Anglican Church Carlton, Melbourne
Fight, Flight and Faith is an honest and gripping account of one woman’s journey through grief and anxiety. Nikki’s writing is both compelling and heart-warming, her stories rich and vivid. As I read each page, I found myself immersed in every scene, every thought, every emotion. But more than just an enthralling read, Fight, Flight and Faith has opened my eyes to the far-reaching impact that anxiety has on those who live with it. I’m deeply thankful
for this book and the insight that it will give to many. Truly, Nikki’s words are a gift.
Rhonda Mason,
Author of Life Without Cameron
Nikki Thompson’s words and insights are a gift. She clearly and tenderly leads us through a world of anxiety without the false hope of a quick fix. This book helped me better understand my own coping mechanisms and gave me more empathy for the people in my life who have anxiety.
Devi Abraham,
Freelance writer and co-host
of the podcast Where Do We Go From Here
What people are saying
Steve Baird
CEO, International Justice Mission
"Blessedly free of trite theological and pastoral bromides, Nikki invites us to take refuge in the arms of a gracious and compassionate God, one who knows and numbers all our anxious tears."
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Rev Dr Ian Maddock
Senior theology lecturer, Sydney Missionary and Bible College
"Blessedly free of trite theological and pastoral bromides, Nikki invites us to take refuge in the arms of a gracious and compassionate God, one who knows and numbers all our anxious tears."
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Rev Dr Ian Maddock
Senior theology lecturer, Sydney Missionary and Bible College
"Fight Flight and Faith: A Life with Anxiety and Jesus avoids the trite triumphalism too many faith-centred stories rely on. Instead, readers find solace in knowing we walk the journey together as pilgrims who are fully known by a God who is big enough to hold us fast in all of life’s storms"
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Sophia Sinclair
Editor, writer, and Australasian Religious Press Association President 2019 – 2021
As a Christian brother, I am thankful that this book helps to normalise the interaction between anxiety and trusting in God. And as a pastor, I am thrilled that the church is now equipped with this magnificent resource, as suffering hearts and minds embrace daily dependence on our good and gracious God.
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Greg Cooper
Songwriter & Musician; Gatherings & Music Pastor
St Jude’s Anglican Church Carlton, Melbourne
Fight, Flight and Faith is an honest and gripping account of one woman’s journey through grief and anxiety. Nikki’s writing is both compelling and heart-warming, her stories rich and vivid. As I read each page, I found myself immersed in every scene, every thought, every emotion. But more than just an enthralling read, Fight, Flight and Faith has opened my eyes to the far-reaching impact that anxiety has on those who live with it. I’m deeply thankful for this book and the insight that it will give to many. Truly, Nikki’s words are a gift.
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Rhonda Mason,
Author of Life Without Cameron
Nikki Thompson’s words and insights are a gift. She clearly and tenderly leads us through a world of anxiety without the false hope of a quick fix. This book helped me better understand my own coping mechanisms and gave me more empathy for the people in my life who have anxiety.
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
Devi Abraham,
Freelance writer and co-host
of the podcast Where Do We Go From Here
Foreword by Nathan Tasker
Foreword by Nathan Tasker
*Offer valid for Australia/NZ purchases only.
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
"This book is for everyone whose post-2020 life looks like ‘a crushed question mark’. In the days of global pandemic and gaping loneliness and loss, Nikki isn’t afraid to look hard questions in the eye, and offers an answer from the gut of her lifelong and unlikely friendship with anxiety. This book was the soul IV I didn’t know I desperately needed."
Lisa-Jo Baker
Bestseller author of Never Unfriended and co-host of the Out of the Ordinary podcast
"This book is for everyone whose post-2020 life looks like ‘a crushed question mark’. In the days of global pandemic and gaping loneliness and loss, Nikki isn’t afraid to look hard questions in the eye, and offers an answer from the gut of her lifelong and unlikely friendship with anxiety. This book was the soul IV I didn’t know I desperately needed."