When God Becomes Real

Panic snuck up on Brian Johnson while he was out with his son, and it clung to him on his desperate drive home. Feeling almost outside of himself, his family called 911. He was spiraling into darkness. Waiting for the ambulance to arrive, unsure of what was happening, he gathered his family around him and asked them to pray for him. Then he said these pivotal words, “This is when God becomes real.” In his first book, Brian shares how the panic and anxiety of his early life?panic he’d thought he’d beaten?came back to haunt him. After experiencing debilitating anxiety attacks from the age of 7 into his early adult years, Brian learned how worship ushered in the Presence of God and pushed the panic away. 

Now in his mid-thirties and believing himself free, Brian had a vision for worship in the church, built a successful music label with his wife, and written award-winning songs and albums. He was at the height of his success, and from all appearances, things were better than ever. But in the midst of that success, the ghost of his childhood anxiety returned, stronger than ever, and it pulled Brian into a downward spiral of chaos and darkness.

In the year that would follow, Brian came to experience the ultimate power of surrendering the panic and chaos to God. Whether or not you’ve struggled with panic and anxiety, you’ve found yourself in pain, asking God for relief. In When God Becomes Real, Brian shares his vulnerable story of overcoming panic and anxiety. Discover how you might find God, even in your darkest hour.

Brian Johnson is a critically-acclaimed worship leader, senior worship Pastor at Bethel church in Redding, California, and the co-founder of Bethel Music. He is a survivor of panic and anxiety disorder, and through his struggle, he’s experienced the tangible grace of a comforting God. Together with his wife, Jenn, Brian uses his experiences and his profound belief in a present God to craft intimate and resonate worship songs for the church, both locally and throughout the world. Brian and Jenn make their home in Redding California with their four wonderful children, Haley, Téa, Braden, and Ryder Moses.