We were asked by Mr. Saichek to do a book review for Out of Control - Finding Peace for the Physically Exhausted and Spiritually Strung Out by Ben Young and Dr. Samuel Adams. It is a 213 paged paperback book with ISBN: 0785211934 by Nelson Books. Mr. Young is a preacher at the 40,000 member Second Baptist Church in Houston, TX and leads seminars on how to build successful marital relationship. Mr. Adams, a licensed pshychologist, maintains a full time counseling practice in Austin, TX.
The book, which offers help for those who "feel hopelessly stuck on the treadmill that never stops" is divided into three sections with nine chapters followed by a short conclusion with testimonials and a helpful study guide.
Chapter One gives three areas where people feel overwhelmed. Information and choice overload is from too much coming at us from all directions. Accessibility overload is when we are too free with our time with others. Responsibility overload comes when we try to cram more into already tight schedules. In Chapter Two, you will find a list of symptoms of a life out of control. On pages 38-39, we would add excessive computer time and excessive e-mail to the self-inventory list but we are thankful we only had 2 out of 31 symptoms of a life out of control!
Basically, what this book is delving into is prioritizing how we spend our time with an aim towards wise stewardship which will reap us the blessings of peace and restfulness. If you feel overwhelmed and stressed or have heard yourself repeatedly say "I need two of me. I wish I could just stop. There are not enough hours in the day. How can I do it all? I don't know where to start!" Then, you could benefit from reading this book. It's normal to feel overwhelmed once in a while, but it should not be accepted, as it is by so much of society, as a normal way of living.
We put many of the tips outlined in this book into practice nearly 20 years ago, when we sought God's leading on how to set up our family. Warning: As you seek to reprioritize your life, it may upset people close to you who were comfortable with the status quo. If you are seeking to please people, this may be a big hang up for you. If you seek to please Christ by keeping Him first in your life and limiting distractions that are obstacles to that goal, then it will be much easier.
These same critics of how you reprioritize will likely admire the results of your choices. We are often told that "time slows down" when people visit our home. "We can rest here." People have a tendency to invite themselves over quite often so they can have a "change of pace." We have been asked repeatedly how come we are so happy, laid back and relaxed. Our lives are evidence that making changes as recommended in the book can result in a happier, healthier existence. More importantly, these changes can make you more effective in your testimony for Christ. We want others to have this same blessing in their lives and that is why we are happy to recommend Out of Control.
It was very refreshing to read a contemporary self-help book that places an importance of the Sabbath rest. Peace is worth having and the blessings are there for those who are obedient to God's commands. (If you are wondering why you are not seeing blessings in a certain area of your life, then see if you are obeying God in that area and make changes accordlingly.) The authors also enlighten you as to what is controlling you and more importantly Who should be in control.
We encourage you to read Out of Control - Finding Peace for the Physically Exhausted and Spiritually Strung Out to gain wisdom on how to slow down and simplify your life with practical suggestions on how to be a wise steward with your time. There are many more gems in this easy to read book than can be covered in this review, so check it out!
~Clint & Wendy
