UNLOADING THE OVERLOAD
A Christian Guide to Managing Stress
By Cliff Powell and Graham Baker. Gazelle Books. 59 Pages. Price £6.99
ISBN 1 899746 17 X
This book written by two Australian psychologists, one of whom is a minister, addresses the issues of stress and overload which are so widespread today. Written in an accessible style, the subject is approached by way of applied biblical teaching, psychological theory, and illustrations from the lives of individuals they have helped through their work.
The book tackles issues such as the need to prioritise, the dangers of isolation in ministry, the importance of friendship and the value of a right sense of self-worth, which is not based on what we do for the Lord. Valuable insights come from a consideration of the example of Jesus, Who achieved his life's mission by setting limits and being focused. He was prepared to say 'no', to apparently legitimate demands upon his time, if these would interfere with his God-given priorities - a clear example is his withdrawing from crowds of needy people to teach his disciples or to pray. He set limits and generally stuck to them - often drawing back from demanding situations in order to recharge his batteries.
The intertwining of good Bible study, practical common sense and valuable lessons from psychology make for an interesting read. To help work out the principles in practice, each brief chapter ends with a summary, and a set of reflective questions encourage the reader to work through the issues raised. Some may find the inclusion of dietary and exercise advice a little surprising, but even in this area there are helpful insights - such as the gentle reminder to type A personalities that regular exercise need not mean achieving a new personal best on every occasion!
Overall I would thoroughly recommend this very readable book for all who are feeling the strain of modern living, and perhaps particularly for those in Christian ministry. Why not read it for yourself and then give a copy away - for the people who would benefit the most from its wisdom are unlikely to have the time to seek it out.
