Overload by Joyce Meyer, Chapter 1

OVERLOAD
How to Unplug, Unwind, and Unleash Yourself

from the Pressure of Stress
JoyceMeyer
NEW YORK BOSTON NASHVILLE
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Copyright 2016 by Joyce Meyer

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Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data
Names: Meyer, Joyce, 1943
Title: Overload : how to unplug, unwind, and unleash yourself from the pressure of stress /
Joyce Meyer.
Description: First [edition]. | New York : Faith Words, 2016. | Includes bibliographical
references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015039434 | ISBN 9781455559831 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781455559848
(large-print hardcover) | ISBN 9781455559855 (Spanish language trade pbk.) |
ISBN 9781478985082 (audio download) | ISBN 9781478985099 (audio cd) | ISBN
9781455559862 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Stress (Psychology)Religious aspectsChristianity. | Stress
managementReligious aspectsChristianity.
Classification: LCC BV4509.5 .M4755 2016 | DDC 248.8/6dc23 LC record available at
http://lccn.loc.gov/2015039434
ISBN 97814555-66259 (international trade)
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CHAPTER 1
Start Defeating Stress Today

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only
empties today of its strength.
Charles Spurgeon
Stress. Its a word none of us really likes but weve all come to
accept. The unfortunate but undeniable fact is that you and I live
in a s tress-filled world. Student or teacher, stayathome mom or
working professional, living in the country or residing in a city
stress seems to find us all.
I came across one article that said stress is the new normal.
And I guess for many people thats true. You dont have to look
very far to find the evidence of that. Weve all known friends or
coworkers who suffer from stress headaches. Drug companies
produce numerous s tress-reducing medicines. Retail stores make
a fortune selling stress balls. Physicians, websites, and employ
ers offer a variety of stress tests. Stress is like a virus that just
keeps spreading.
Many people have contracted the stress virus...but they dont
seem to realize it. Their friends and family see it. Their bosses
and coworkers see it. Everyone around them knows that theyre
stressed out, but theyre oblivious to it. They have not learned to
recognize the symptoms of stress. Theyre going about each day
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anxious, upset, worried, tense, and frustrated, and theyve just

accepted this as a part of life. Its their new normal.
This certainly was the case for
Many people have
me. In the early years of my minis
contracted the stress
try, I was highly stressed, but I didnt
virus...but they dont
know it. There were a number of
seem to realize it.
contributing factors to my stress
the ministry was growing quickly, which kept me extremely
busy; I wasnt resting or getting the proper nutrition; I overfilled
my calendar because I didnt want to tell anyone no; I was still
dealing with the emotional repercussions of having been abused
by my father throughout my childhood; and in the midst of all
the busyness, my husband Dave and I were raising four children.
And...did I mention I was in the midst of the change of life and
could not take any hormone therapy because of having had breast
cancer?! Wow! Now I look at all of this and can fully understand
why I was stressed out all the time, but amazingly I didnt recog
nize the symptoms.
With all the anxiety and frustration and running around, I just
assumed this was how I was supposed to live. Stress became my
new normal.
Because of my personality and work ethic, I didnt take the
time to slow down and learn to prioritize my calendar or care
for myself. I had a hundred plates spinning at once, and I was
determined to not let any of them fall. The result of my w
ell-
intentioned but stubborn refusal to slow down was physical and
emotional exhaustion. My body started breaking down, and I
would cry at the drop of a hat.
Finally, I went to see a doctor. I was sure he could simply give
me some medicine to get me back on my feet again so I could
continue meeting all the demands I was putting on myself. Ill
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never forget what he told me: Joyce, your physical and emotional
problems are a result of stress. I think you need to make some
changes.
This infuriated me. Stress? Im not
I thought I was too strong
stressed! Im just busy! It really both
for stress.
ered me that he would suggest I was
stressed out. I thought I was too
strong for stress. And I was convinced I was in Gods will and,
therefore, He wouldnt let me feel the bad effects of stress. After
all, I had dedicated my life to serving God; how could I be suf
fering from stress? Looking for a different answer, I consulted
another doctor, but he told me the same thing. No matter how
many appointments I made, and no matter how many doctors
I talked to, the answer was consistent and firm: Joyce, youre
stressed out. The last doctor suggested I see a psychiatrist, and
that really made me mad! My mother had suffered with mental
illness, and I think in the back of my mind I was convinced if
I admitted I was experiencing stress, I might somehow be headed
in the same direction she had ended up in.
Things were a little different back then. Information wasnt as
readily available as it is today, and not as much study had been
done in regards to the harmful effects of stress. I think this is
why I was hesitant to believe how much damage stress was bring
ing to my life. At the time, it was a total shock to me that stress
could be the root cause of so many of the issues I was facing.
Here I was, serving God and doing what I knew He had called
me to do, but I wasnt really enjoying my life. Rather than cel
ebrating the opportunities God was giving me to teach His
Word (what I love to do), stress had me in bondage. I was easily
frustrated, I had aches and pains, I wasnt sleeping well, I was
argumentativethe list goes on and on.
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But I began to read about stress, and with the Lords help, I
finally began to see that the doctors were right. Stress was hurt
ing me physically and emotionally. But the Lord also began to
show me that stress was hurting me spiritually. I was allowing
the external pressures of my life to affect my internal peace and
joy. If I didnt make some major changes, I was never going to
fully enjoy the life Jesus died to give me.
The Effects of Stress

The more people Ive talked to over the years, the more Ive come
to realize that my story isnt that uncommon. As I share with
friends and ministry partners how stressed and overwhelmed
I felt at times, Im usually met with understanding nods and
Iknow-exactly-what-you-mean reassurances. People from all
walks of life have told me that at some point they, too, had to face
the cold, hard truth that stress was keeping them from really liv
ing their best life.
Stress is an indiscriminate thief. It
Health, peace, rest,
will take whatever it can from whom
relationships, laughter
ever it can. Health, peace, rest, rela
stress wants to take it all.
tionships, laughterstress wants to
take it all. And like any thief, we cant deal with it until we realize
it is out there, lurking in the shadows. If we dont know were at
risk, how can we protect ourselves?
Let me share some eye-opening statistics with you from recent
studies and surveys:
49 percent of people surveyed said they have had a major
stressful event or experience in the last year.1
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83 percent of Americans are stressed out on the job.2

69 percent of people with high stress say their stress actu
ally increased in the past year.3
41 percent of adults who are married say that they lost
patience or yelled at their spouse due to stress in the past
month.4
52 percent of those aged 18 to 33 years report that stress has
kept them awake at night at least once in the past month.5
Stress, pressure, and anxiety are being reported by people all
over the world at an alarming rate. There are studies too numer
ous to count that show we are a society overrun with stress. And
this stress we face is having an alarming effect on the way we feel
and act each day. Look at some of the effects the Mayo Clinic says
stress has on us:6
Physical effects
Headaches
Muscle tension or pain
Fatigue
Change in sex drive
Upset stomach
Emotional effects
Anxiety
Restlessness
Lack of motivation
Irritability or anger
Sadness or depression
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Behavioral effects
Overeating
Angry outbursts
Drug or alcohol abuse
Tobacco use
Social withdrawal
And as bad as those effects are, they arent even the most danger
ous effects of stress. The National Institute of Mental Health says
that the continued strain on your body from routine stress may lead
to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pres
sure, diabetes, depression, anxiety disorder, and other illnesses.7
We cant close our eyes any longer. Stress is a real enemy, capa
ble of doing real physical, emotional, and spiritual damage. Its
not something to be trivialized and swept under the rug. Stress
isnt just being overly busy or a little nervous. Stress is a dan
gerous tool the enemy uses to try and keep us from enjoying the
life Jesus died to give us.
What About You?

So far in this chapter, Ive told you about the stress I was under
a stress that was holding me back even though I didnt realize it at
the time. And Ive told you about friends of mine who could relate
because they had been through stress, too. Now I want to ask you
about your life.
You see, Im wondering if youre really experiencing and enjoying
the best God has for you. I say that because I meet so many peo
ple who are worn down and worn out. It seems theyre always tired,
always upset, and always wishing for something better. No matter
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how hard they try, they just cant quite seem to pinpoint why they
arent happy. Sure, they have their good days, but if theyre completely
honest, theyll tell you that the bad days outnumber the good.
And its not always about circumstances. Some of the most frus
trated, unhappy people I know have all theyve ever asked for
a loving spouse, beautiful children, a successful career, a great
house. But even with all these things, they cant seem to find peace
and celebrate life. Theres no time for that. Instead, their days are
filled with worry, nervousness, and uncertainty about the future.
Do you know that feeling? Have you felt unsettled or discon
tented recently? What about those symptoms from the Mayo Clinic?
Headaches, pain, fatigue, restlessness, lack of motivation, irrita
bility, anger, sadness, overeating, social w ithdrawalhave you
dealt with any of these lately? If so, its quite possible that youre
dealing with stress (whether you know it or not). And stress is
trying to rob you of the good things God has in store for your life.
Let me encourage you: The stress youre facing doesnt mean
there is something wrong with you. As a matter of fact, it just
means youre human. As the statistics show, men and women all
around the world are feeling stress. But there is good news for us
todaywe dont have to live like the rest of the world. As believ
ers, we have been promised a new life in Christ. We dont have to
let stress rob us of our happiness. We dont have to sit back and
think, Oh well, I guess this is as good
God has a better life in
as it gets. We can stand on the prom
store. A life full of laughter,
ises of God and trust that He is work
contentment, provision,
ing out His great plan for our lives
peace, and joy.
(more on this in the next chapter).
So, if youve ever wondered, Is this as good as it gets? the
answer is a resounding no! God has a better life in store. A life
full of laughter, contentment, provision, peace, and joy. But an
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important part of realizing all that God has for you is choosing to
destress. Let me give you some simple steps to start that process.
5 Ways to DeStress
Once you realize that stress is trying to keep you from experienc
ing Gods best in your life, you can start making some necessary
choices to change things. Were going to talk about those choices
all throughout this book, but I want to give you some practical
things right away in this first chapter so you can begin taking
some initial steps today.
When you get a new phone or piece of electronic equipment,
the manufacturer usually includes a Get Started card at the
front of the instruction manual. Well, thats kind of what this is.
Here are some steps you can take today to get started on over
coming stress:
1. Seek Out Social Support
Studies show that isolation leads to elevated stress lev
els. As social beings, spending time with others is one of
the best ways to improve our outlook. There are different
social outlets that work better for different people; here are
a few suggestions:
Family: Spend time with family members who love and
support you. Dont take them for granted.
Church: The local church is where the family of God
gathers to worship Him, learn His Word, and encour
age one another. If youre not in a strong, Bible-based
church, I encourage you to find one to attend.
Groups and clubs: Social groups of all k
indsbook
clubs, walking groups, Bible study groups, even groups
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11
of friends that simply meet for dinner once a weekare

all shown to reduce stress.
Counseling: If you dont have anyone else to talk to,
being able to process emotions with a counselor can
be a tremendous help in reducing stress and increas
ing overall emotional health. My suggestion would be to
make sure it is someone who is well grounded in Gods
Word so the Holy Spirit, who is the Counselor, leads
the advice they give you.
2. Practice Shrug Therapy
There are some things in life you can c ontrolwhat job
you take, what friends you spend time with, how much
coffee you drink, and what time you go to bed. But there
are other things you cant controlwhat other people say
or do, fluctuations in the economy, that rude driver on the
freeway.
How you react to things you
cant control will many times
People who regularly get
determine your stress level. Peo
upset over small things are
easily frustrated and highly
ple who regularly get upset over
stressed. People who shrug
small things are easily frustrated
those things off are much
and highly stressed. People who
happier.
shrug those things off are much
happier.
Shrugging doesnt mean youre indifferent or dont care
about what is happening around you; it simply means
youre acknowledging there is nothing you can do at that
moment to change the situation. The best approach when
things are beyond your control is to shrug it off and trust
God to work things out for your good (see Romans 8:28).
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3. Find Your Comfort Zone...and Stay There

My husband, Dave, once did one of the wisest things Ive
seen. When he was working as an engineer, he was offered
a promotion that came with a big pay raise and a lot of
prestige. But he turned it down. At first I thought he was
making a big mistake. Couldnt we use the money? Didnt he
want people in his company to look up to him?
When I asked him about it, Dave told me that he had
watched the other men who had previously been in that
position. He said they traveled extensively, and they were
constantly given unreasonable deadlines that put them
under tremendous stress. He told me, Joyce, thats not
the way I want to live. Instead, he chose a position that
allowed him to stick to his core valuescommitment to
family and comfort with selfrather than chasing what
other people were chasing.
Im convinced there would be much more happiness and
less stress in the world if people would take the time to
know themselves and their comfort zone and stay there.
This extends beyond the workplace. If you are involved
with something that is stealing your joy or your health,
that is not your comfort zoneget out of there as quickly
as you can. Removing all the things from your schedule
that arent bearing good fruit will greatly reduce your
stress level and enable you to enjoy the things you choose
to focus on.
4. Nutrition, Proven Supplements, Healthy Diet, and Exercise
What you put in your body has a huge impact on your stress
level. Proper nutrition, proven supplements, and an overall
healthy diet are major influences on how you feel each day.
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13
I encourage you to thoughtfully put together a w

ell-
balanced, sensible combination of nutritious food and
healthy, proven supplements and vitamins in order to help

offset daily stress.
I cannot state strongly enough the need for regular exer
cise. Many people think they dont have time to exercise,
but the truth is if you dont take the time now, you may
lose more time visiting doctors and having to be inactive
and unproductive because you feel bad. Exercise is one of
the best sources of energy you can find!
5. Schedule Time to Relax
Relaxation is not selfish or lazy. It is not slacking off. Its
a way of recharging your batteriesphysical, emotional,
and spiritualso that you can charge back into the fray at
full strength the next day. You will get much more accom
plished and live longer and healthier if youll take the time
to treat yourself right.
There are thousands of ways you can relax. Whether
its unwinding with music, reading a good book, taking a
warm bath by candlelight, going for a walk, or engaging in
a sport you enjoy, you know what relaxation feels like, and
you know when its happening to you. I strongly encourage
you to make relaxation a part of your daily life.
If youve felt robbed or shortchanged latelyif youve won
dered, Is this as good as it gets?remember that a life in Christ
keeps getting better and better. Proverbs 4:18 says that the path
of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of
dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it
reaches its full strength and glory (emphasis added).
That means God has great things in store for your life! No
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matter how irritating, frustrating, or stressful the situation is that

youre facing today, dont let it steal your hope or decrease your
joy. If youll trust God and learn to let go of the stress that is try
ing to hold you back, youll be amazed at how much better life
can be.
Things to Remember:
Stress is a real enemy, capable of doing real physical,
emotional, and spiritual damage. Its not something to be
trivialized and swept under the rug.
We dont have to live as victims of stress. As believers, we
have been promised a new, powerful, overcoming life in
Christ.
Once you realize that stress is trying to keep you from
experiencing Gods best in your life, you can start making
some necessary choices to change things.
Five ways to destress: seek out social support; practice
shrug therapy; find your comfort zone...and stay there;
nutrition, proven supplements, healthy diet, and exercise;
schedule time to relax.
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15
Did you know?

Big stress or little s tressyour body reacts the same way.
The human body doesnt differentiate between a major or
minor stress. Regardless of the catalyst, a typical stress
reaction floods the body with a wave of 1,400 biochemical
events. If this happens too frequently, we age prematurely,
our cognitive function is affected, and we are drained of
energy and clarity.8
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KEEP
CALM
AND
CHOOSE TO
TRUST
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CHAPTER 2
Whos in Charge?
When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you
dont throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and
trust the engineer.
Corrie ten Boom
There are few things in life more stressful than thinking, Its all
up to me.
Its up to me to make sure my children turn out great.
Its up to me to keep the house clean and tidy all the time.
Its up to me to figure out my future.
Its up to me to pay for my past mistakes.
Its up to me to provide all the things my children want.
Its up to me to change my spouse.
Its up to me to correct my coworkers.
Its up to me...Its up to me...Its up to me!
Whew! My stress levels started rising just writing those sen
tences. But thats how we live much of the time, isnt it? We
assume that if something is going to get done, we have to be the
ones in control. We say things like, Just give it to me, and Ill do
it! or Ill take it from here! or If I want something done right, I
guess I have to do it myself!
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The problem with this m

ind-set is that it doesnt leave any
room for God. The moment we begin to think Im in control rather
than trusting that God is in control is the moment stress has an
opening in our lives. I understand there are times in life when we
have to take decisive action. Im not suggesting you sit back and
do nothing. At work, with your family, around your friends
there are going to be plenty of opportunities for you to step up
and boldly lead. We invite stress into our lives, not when we take
right action, but when we try to take control.
God is good, and it is His desire that we place our trust com
pletely in Him. He wants us to enter His rest, totally abandoning
ourselves to His care. When we are able to believe and say, God,
I trust You, anxiety melts away. Psalm 37:3 says, Trust (lean on,
rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good. Its really that
simple. When we make the daily decision to trust Gods leader
ship while doing the good things we know to do, then Hell bring
a harvest of blessings into our lives and meet our every need.
So let me ask you: Who has control of your life? Who do you
trust to plan your future? Who do you rely on to set your course?
Who do you depend on to provide what you need even when the
need seems overwhelming? The answers to those questions go a
long way in determining what kind of
life youre going to live, overloaded or
Anytime we dont keep
overcoming. Anytime we dont keep
God first, life gets messy
God first, life gets messy and we get
and we get stressed out.
stressed out.
Road Trip!
A friend recently told me about a trip he took with his family.
They traveled, by car, halfway across the country over a span of
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Whos in Charge?
21
three days. The route he chose took them through mountainous

regions, around bustling cities, and down long stretches of major
highways. While he and his wife consulted their GPS, planned
gas and meal stops, navigated through heavy traffic, and bud
geted the travel expenses, he noticed his children were having
the time of their lives in the backseat.
With each glance in his rearview mirror, he was struck by the
kids carefree attitude. They spent the trip watching movies on
the computer, playing games on his wifes tablet, telling each other
silly jokes, snacking from the fully stocked family cooler, enjoy
ing travel games, and napping whenever they felt like it. When
he saw how content and peaceful they were, he couldnt help but
think, Now thats the life!
The picture of his children relaxing and enjoying the journey
reminded my friend of how we can go through life as believers,
content and carefree. He told me, Joyce, my kids just trusted that
I was in control. They knew I would get them to their destination
safely. They didnt worry about how wed pay for the trip, what
the best route to take was, or how the car was running. I took
care of all those things. Their job was simple: they just sat back,
did what I asked them to do, and enjoyed the journey.
I think our lives would be much less stressful if we were more
like those children. No wonder Jesus said we should have child
like faith (see Matthew 18:15). Those kids didnt try to take over
the planning of the trip. They didnt ask to drive for a few miles.
And they certainly didnt complain about the direction they were
traveling. During the entire trip, they were content to let their
father have control, because they trusted that he had a great plan.
This is how we can live out the journey of our lives. Rather
than stress and worry about the direction we think were headed
in, rather than get upset when the road seems difficult, rather
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than wonder why its taking so longwe can trust our Heavenly
Father. We can let go of the steering wheel and turn it over to
God, trusting that He has a great plan for our lives.
I have a strong personality, and I like to make decisions and
work hard to accomplish my goals, but I understand that God is
the one who sets the course for my life. It took me a long time to
fully reach this place of peace, but thankfully, Ive finally submit
ted my entire life to Him. So when a decision or an opportunity
arises, I go to God first, asking Him if this is something He wants
me to do. If I dont have peace about it, I dont do it. I can tell you,
there have been numerous times I initially thought something
was a good idea, but I didnt have peace about it when I prayed,
so I let it go. And I was glad each time I did, because I discovered
later that I would have been miserable had I accepted the task.
The quickest way to peace is learn
The quickest way to peace
ing to submit every decision in your
is learning to submit every
life to God. Stress has no say in your
decision in your life to God.
life when God is in control.
I Cant Do It Without You

In Exodus 33, Moses is praying to God and he makes a rather
direct (almost demanding) statement to the Lord. I suppose it
was something he felt so strongly that he couldnt help but just
blurt it out, hoping God would understand. Have you ever had a
prayer like that? A prayer that was so desperate you didnt really
take time to make it sound pretty, you just cried out to the Lord,
trusting He would understand? (Hint: Sometimes those are the
best kind of prayers.) If you have, you know how Moses felt,
because that is exactly how he prayed.
This was a tough time for Moses and the children of Israel. In the
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Whos in Charge?
23
previous chapter, the people had rebelled while Moses was meeting
with God on Mount Sinai. Instead of waiting for Moses to return and
tell them all the Lord had spoken, the people grew impatient and
decided to fashion a golden calf to worship. The entire community,
including Moses brother, Aaron, had disobeyed God and suffered
difficult consequences for worshipping at the altar of a false image.
So now, in chapter 33, God instructs Moses to pack up camp and
continue the voyage to the Promised Land. God said in verse 1:
Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have
brought from the land of Egypt, to the land which I swore to
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This sounds like good news, right?
The journey was going to continue; God would once again be
leading the children of Israel to their promised inheritance.
But there was a problem. God didnt intend to go with Moses
and the people. They would be traveling on their own. The Lord
told Moses:
Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not
go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I
destroy you on the way.
Exodus 33:3 (emphasis added)
At this moment, Moses had a decision to make. And this was

a decision that carried high stakes. It would affect his future and
the future of every person in the camp. Here were his options:
Option #1: Moses could trust in his own proven leadership
ability and take over. He could charge forward, making the
decisions and calling the shots. After all, Moses was born to
be a leader. He knew how to make important decisions in the
most crucial moments. This was his chance to be in charge!
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Option #2: Moses could understand that if God wasnt leading

them, neither he nor the children of Israel stood a chance.
Why go anywhere if God wasnt going to go with them?
Rather than moving, he could humbly, but boldly, ask God
to forgive the people and take control of the journey.
Moses didnt hesitate in making his choice. In Exodus 33:15,
Moses emphatically declares: If Your Presence does not go with
me, do not carry us up from here! Did you notice the exclama
tion point at the end of that sentence? With all his energy, Moses
basically said, Lord, Im not going anywhere without You!
I love this bold statement by Israels leader. Moses understood
that he wasnt really the leader at all. Sure, God had given him
responsibilities. And, yes, Moses had a part to play in the journey
God had called the Israelites to take. But Moses understood that
God was their leaderGod was the one in control. And Moses
knew that, without God, they would have no lasting success on
their own. So Moses loudly proclaimed, Im not going anywhere
without Your leadership, God.
The circumstances are different, but the options Moses faced are
the same options you and I face today. When met with a dilemma
or when pondering a decision, we can trust in our own ability to
handle the situation, or we can trust Gods leadership and ask Him
to take control. And like Moses, the choice we make carries sig
nificant ramifications. If you go through life with the m
ind-set of
Its all up to me, youre going to live under the constant stress and
worry that comes with dependence on self. But if you embrace a
mind-set that understands Its all up to God, youre going to be
able to enjoy your life and go through each day stress-free.
So the question remains: Who is in control? Are you going to
take Option #1 and carry the weight of the world on your own
12/21/15 5:30:21 PM
Whos in Charge?
25
shoulders, or are you going to follow Moses example and choose

Option #2, asking God to take control? The choice is up to you.
I remember when I was led by God to quit my job and spend
time preparing for the teaching ministry God wanted me to
pursue. We were going to be a little short each month of having
enough money to pay our bills, and needless to say, I was very
worried. I was so worried and afraid that at times my knees felt
as if they would buckle underneath me and I would fall to the
floor. On one particular day, I heard God whisper to my heart,
Joyce, you can try and do all of this by yourself, or you can trust
Me to provide; it is up to you. I stopped right where I was and
said, I choose to trust You, Lord. I am happy to report that God
was faithful and all the bills were always paid.
Quiz Time
Many people have been depending on themselves for so long
(rather than depending on God) that they dont even realize
theyre doing it. S elf-reliance can be the result of many d
ifferent
things. Some people begin depending on themselves as c hildren
because their parents are absent, dysfunctional, or abusive. Other
people begin depending on themselves later in life when a spouse
betrays them or leaves them. A lot of people just have such a
strong personality that theyve always tended to trust in their
own abilities rather than looking to God first. And many others
dont even know that trusting God with their lives is an option
available to them.
Whatever the reason, I think weve established that your life
will have so much more peace and happiness when you give God
control. Proverbs 3:5 says it this way: Lean on, trust in, and be
confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not
12/21/15 5:30:21 PM
26
OV ER LOA D
rely on your own insight or understanding (emphasis added).

So, if youre not sure whether youre leaning on the Lord or
leaning on your own understanding, here is a little quiz that
might help you figure it out:
The Control Quiz:

1. When faced with unexpected bad news, what is your first
thought?
a. How can I fix this?
b. Oh, no. Here we go again!
c. God isnt surprised by this news. He can work this out
for good.
2. When talking about your future, are you more likely to
begin a sentence by saying,
a. I dont have many options, but...
b. If I work hard enough, I can...
c. I know God has a great plan for me, so...
3. When someone says something bad about you, are you
more inclined to...
a. return the favor
b. ignore it (but remember how they hurt you)
c. pray for that person, trusting God to defend you
4. If your kids are having trouble at school, do you...
a. blame yourself for your parenting failures
b. meet with the teacher
c. ask God for wisdom and insight and then meet with the
teacher
12/21/15 5:30:21 PM
Whos in Charge?
27
5. Which activity is more important for you each morning?

a. Preparing yourself for the day
b. Checking social media to see what others are saying
c. Spending time with the Lord
This little quiz isnt meant to make you feel guilty if you dis
covered that you are not depending on God like you should. I just
want to help you see how easy it is to fall into the trap of depend
ing on self and thinking, Its up to me! That is such a stressful way
to l iveGod has something so much better for you.
Several of the options listed above
With Gods help, we can
arent necessarily bad or wrong, but
move from dependence on
they fall short of Gods best. In each
self to dependence on God.
situation above, option c is an indi
cator that youre trusting God with control of your life. If options
a or b best describe you, dont be discouraged. For many
years, they described me, too. But with Gods help, we can move
from dependence on self to dependence on God. Simply start by
asking God to show you each time youre trying to take over,
rather than trusting Him. Normally, if I am trying to face a chal
lenge in my own strength, I start to feel tense and that is an indi
cator to me that I need to ask for Gods help.
I suggest you take a few moments each day to pray something
like this: Lord, I trust You with the direction of my life, and I
give You control today. Ill do my part, and Ill work diligently
as You guide me, but I wont receive the stress that comes from
thinking I have to have all the answers. I know You have the
answers, and I believe You will guide me to do what is right. I
trust that You have a great plan for my life.
As we close this chapter, I want to share one last thing from
Moses story. After Moses prayed his bold prayer in verse 15, God
12/21/15 5:30:21 PM
28
OV ER LOA D
answered him. God wasnt mad or offended by Moses boldness.

In fact, the opposite was true. God was pleased that Moses didnt
want to go anywhere without His leadership. In Exodus 33:17,
God responded to Moses by saying, I will do this thing also that
you have asked, for you have found favor, loving-kindness, and
mercy in My sight and I know you personally and by name.
I want you to know that God feels the same way about you.
God is not angry with you today. Like Moses, you, too, have
found favor, loving-kindness, and mercy in Gods sight, and He
knows you personally by name. So the next time youre faced
with a stressful situation or a difficult decision, dont carry that
burden by yourself. Go to God and ask Him to take control. He
wont hesitate to answer you and show you the right path to take.
You may need to be patient, but God is always faithful!
Things to Remember:
There are few things in life more stressful than thinking,
Its all up to me!
God is good, and it is His desire that we place our trust
completely in Him. He wants us to enter His rest, totally
abandoning ourselves to His care.
Every day we face two options: I trust myself or I trust God.
Trusting God with your life doesnt mean you have no respon
sibilities or you dont make any decisions. It simply means
that you submit each responsibility and decision to Him.
You have found favor, loving-kindness, and mercy with
God. He knows you personally by name!
12/21/15 5:30:21 PM
Whos in Charge?
29
Did you know?

Oil of anise, basil, bay, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender,
peppermint, rose, and thyme are all soothing scents that
can help decrease stress levels.1
12/21/15 5:30:21 PM

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OVERLOAD

How to Unplug, Unwind, and Unleash Yourself

NEW YORK BOSTON NASHVILLE

Copyright 2016 by Joyce Meyer

Start Defeating Stress Today

anxious, upset, worried, tense, and frustrated, and theyve just

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The Effects of Stress

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83 percent of Americans are stressed out on the job.2

What About You?

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of friends that simply meet for dinner once a weekare

3. Find Your Comfort Zone...and Stay There

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I encourage you to thoughtfully put together a w

healthy, proven supplements and vitamins in order to help

matter how irritating, frustrating, or stressful the situation is that

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Did you know?

The problem with this m

three days. The route he chose took them through mountainous

I Cant Do It Without You

At this moment, Moses had a decision to make. And this was

Option #2: Moses could understand that if God wasnt leading

shoulders, or are you going to follow Moses example and choose

rely on your own insight or understanding (emphasis added).

The Control Quiz:

5. Which activity is more important for you each morning?

answered him. God wasnt mad or offended by Moses boldness.

Did you know?

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