It’s not that people wouldn’t buy it.

Actually, the opposite is true.

My biggest fear about publishing my book, Stronger Down the Stretch, Surviving Midlife Without a Crisis, is that people would read it.

The trepidation stems from three sources.

3 fears about publishing my first book

1 — Exposed

I very honestly reveal things about me, my issues, and marital struggles (permission granted, of course) that only inner circle friends may know about. Most of my family and friends would be quite surprised. However, the purpose of the book is to help people, especially men, who struggle with the same issues that, if not addressed, will lead to a midlife crisis and devastate their families.

The book is a wake-up call to count the cost of who pays for a midlife crisis.

So, I pulled back the curtains of my life, revealing secrets in the hopes of helping others. At 57, I need to worry less about what people think of me and more about helping them.

2 — Judged

My second fear about publishing my first book was that people from my past would read it and think I’m a hypocrite. “What’s this guy talking about? I remember when…”

Fill in the blank.

There are lots of blanks.

But the blanks were before Christ.

Few people like criticism and even less freely expose themselves to it. Who wakes up in the mornings and says, “Today’s a great day to wear a target on my back?” But rest assured, publish anything, and the critics will crawl out of the closet.

However, God’s Word promises me there’s no condemnation in Christ.

I was a wretch before Christ and can’t defend my past. Jesus is my defender and protector, and allowing a fear of the past to prevent this book’s publication would waste the redemptive power of Jesus’s blood.

We all fall short of the glory of God and need Jesus Christ for salvation.

3 — Misunderstood

Finally, I had a slight fear of my three children’s reactions. They’re all mature and grown, but I wondered if they would recall my fatherly failures and question who this super dad is they’re reading about.

I hope no one thinks I tried to paint that picture of myself. I have screwed up plenty since Christ redeemed me, as all dysfunctional humans do, but I tried to fail forward. As mentioned in the book, I aim to finish this race strong, not that I’ve always run strong. But as Job said in 17:9,

Yet the righteous holds to his way, and he who has clean hands grows stronger and stronger.

Summing it up

Some people may be surprised, others skeptical. Hopefully, my kids will take it easy on me, but Stronger Down the Stretch, Surviving Midlife Without a Crisis, is an honest attempt to share my journey and insights for the benefit of others.

God will sort out everything else.

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