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Stressed-Less Living
Women have a desperate longing for a stress cure--a revitalized perspective and re-energized faith. STRESSED-LESS LIVING offers life-changing, heart-renewing, long-lasting remedies that will bring peace, even when things feel out of control.
237 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
23 people are currently reading
437 people want to read
About the author
Tracie Miles
20 books61 followersTracie Miles is the Director of COMPEL Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as an Author of five best-selling books including Living Unbroken, Love Life Again, Unsinkable Faith, Stress Less Living and Your Life Still Counts. She is the founder of the Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Program. Tracie is also a contributing author to the popular Zondervan NIV Women's Devotional Bible and a monthly contributing writer for the Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today daily devotions which reach over 1.5 million people per day around the globe. Tracie has 3 grown children and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can connect with Tracie on her blog at www.traciemiles.com as well as on her Facebook Author page and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 25, 2013
I did this book as a study over at Proverbs 31 Ministries and I have to be honest, I think I enjoyed the "study" aspect of it more than I enjoyed the actual book. Tracie Miles is bang on with the struggles that we all have - I could really identify with much of what she had to say. I also agree that we need to keep our minds focused on what is most important and that it's our allowing ourselves to lose focus on Christ that causes so much trouble. That being said, I didn't really find that this book gave me any new insights or any helpful suggestions that weren't in every other Christian stress book I have read.
It was a good read and I loved the study at Proverbs 31 but I didn't find the book offered me anything new.
It was a good read and I loved the study at Proverbs 31 but I didn't find the book offered me anything new.
August 31, 2013
This book is extremely repetitive. The chapters are very long and could have been shortened had it not been soooooo repetitive. Was very disappointed.
February 4, 2013
This book really appeals to me and that is probably because I'm under enormous stress right now. We homeschool our children and my husband has recently switched jobs and it just so happens that the job he has taken is a night job. So the kids and I barely see him and I am pretty much raising them by myself which is absolutely no fun at all.Alot of the things that Tracie talks about in her book Stressed-Less Living fits me and my life right now.
Sometimes when we are in the middle of a stress filled tornado we surely lose site of God and family. And I will have to admit it is hard to find your way back. Tracie brings about a lot of good points but her bottom line is reach out to God and He can and will pull you out of the storm. The author also brings up the fact about the struggle of raising children especially teenagers. Don't I know it? Yikes! It is the hardest job I know that I have ever under taken.
She shares a story about escaping to the front porch for some fresh air and some prayer time after an especially long day with her teen age daughters. And while she was sitting there she had found two Easter eggs that had been there awhile and that was probably left there by her children one previous Easter. She started to recall that particular Easter and she got to thinking about her baby girls. Isn't it funny how God knows exactly how to get to our hearts and cause us to stop dead in our tracks to realize what is important?
**Disclosure** This book was provided to me for free by Leafwood Publishers for my honest review.
Sometimes when we are in the middle of a stress filled tornado we surely lose site of God and family. And I will have to admit it is hard to find your way back. Tracie brings about a lot of good points but her bottom line is reach out to God and He can and will pull you out of the storm. The author also brings up the fact about the struggle of raising children especially teenagers. Don't I know it? Yikes! It is the hardest job I know that I have ever under taken.
She shares a story about escaping to the front porch for some fresh air and some prayer time after an especially long day with her teen age daughters. And while she was sitting there she had found two Easter eggs that had been there awhile and that was probably left there by her children one previous Easter. She started to recall that particular Easter and she got to thinking about her baby girls. Isn't it funny how God knows exactly how to get to our hearts and cause us to stop dead in our tracks to realize what is important?
**Disclosure** This book was provided to me for free by Leafwood Publishers for my honest review.
October 13, 2012
There was much to learn from this book, and I needed several of these reminders of what I already know. One sentence that I need to be reminded of frequently is, "if the devil can't hinder our relationship with God by making us immoral, he will simply make us busy." That is a trap I find myself falling into, no matter what stage of life I am in. Distractions often begin first thing in the morning, and before I know it, I can barely hold my eyes open...and realize that I barely spent any time with God. Or, I may have spent time discussing my needs or even the needs of others, but did I just rest in His presence? I am getting better, but old habits are hard to break. I love the questions she asks at the end of each chapter, but the Scripture she lists are an even greater treasure. Speaking of that, she told one story that gave me an idea of a perfect gift for myself and for friends. The book is worth it just for that idea alone, but this still one I recommend for anyone who is dealing with anxiety and worries.
Leafwood Publishers provided me with a copy of the book for review purposes.
Leafwood Publishers provided me with a copy of the book for review purposes.
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June 3, 2013I have only read the first chapter but Ms Miles gives you lots to think on in just that first chapter. can not wait to see what the rest of the book has to offer.
October 2, 2021
“It is possible to trade in your stress for Gods perfect peace.” I so needed this book as I like so many others tend w to wear stress as a badge of honor. God used this book to show me stress is not His plan for my life. I love how the author first does a thorough explanation of what stress is and what it does to our body as well as why we should care about stress as Christians. And the author so poignantly shares her life’s journey that taught her that there is a God answer to stress. So she is not just giving out advice but instead she has walked this path and is stopping to share what God taught her with us the reader do we too can get the victory. “Stress is an outward indication of an inner situation - a situation of a heart that needs Jesus”.
I have so many favorite parts and quotes in this book but here are a few just to whet your appetite
-each chapter ends with reflection questions to help us the reader apply the lessons contained there in
-each chapter has stress busting scriptures to tuck away
-chapter 5 has scriptures for us the reader to personalize
-chapter 8 talks about God have a camera to capture pictures of people who are pillars of strength. This section is an eye opener and so beautiful
The author writes in chapter 2, “I had, over time, become one overwhelmed, overcommitted, overstressed, overfrazzled, burnt out young woman.” If you can relate, I sue can, you need to get a copy of this book.
I have so many favorite parts and quotes in this book but here are a few just to whet your appetite
-each chapter ends with reflection questions to help us the reader apply the lessons contained there in
-each chapter has stress busting scriptures to tuck away
-chapter 5 has scriptures for us the reader to personalize
-chapter 8 talks about God have a camera to capture pictures of people who are pillars of strength. This section is an eye opener and so beautiful
The author writes in chapter 2, “I had, over time, become one overwhelmed, overcommitted, overstressed, overfrazzled, burnt out young woman.” If you can relate, I sue can, you need to get a copy of this book.
May 5, 2023
This didn’t give me what I was hoping for. The author spent too much time during the early chapters referring to statistics and examples of stress and how it’s unhealthy. This isn’t something I needed to be convinced of, and especially since I picked up this book ready to seek out solutions for relieving stress.
I was looking for answers based on the subtitle: “Finding God’s peace in your chaotic world.” I felt the book didn’t offer specific strategies, but instead delivered generalities.
The book was just OK. Each chapter contained “Reflection Questions” which actually allowed for more depth and insight than what was provided in the chapters. For that reason, this would make a good book to be read by a group, followed by discussion.
I was looking for answers based on the subtitle: “Finding God’s peace in your chaotic world.” I felt the book didn’t offer specific strategies, but instead delivered generalities.
The book was just OK. Each chapter contained “Reflection Questions” which actually allowed for more depth and insight than what was provided in the chapters. For that reason, this would make a good book to be read by a group, followed by discussion.
January 2, 2019
I enjoyed reading the author’s testimony and experiences of how God showed Himself to be faithful in her life. It helped me to see signs of stress that I was completely unaware of and reflect on whether it’s all worth it. I began to realize that maybe God has called me to do something else and possibly take a leap of faith that would change the trajectory of my life and that of my children.
August 28, 2018
I went through this book slowly to help me to absorb and to make notes. I’m glad I did. I got so much out of it. Great encouragement for letting go and reminding myself of the One true bringer of peace.
September 3, 2021
So encouraging. There was a particular part about parenting that has been stuck in my head - in a really really good way. I'm scared parenter and her perspective helped me to have more courage instead of stress, for sure!
June 18, 2013
"Do you ever feel like life has you by the jugular, choking out your every breath"
So that's the first line of the book... & from right there I was like, "ME ME ME" raising my hand.
I'm so good at being stressed. You could sorta call me a professional if you will. Is there a good salary for that? Because I'd be RICH!
This book was perfect for me in reminding me exactly what I already know - but like to push aside.
That my focus should not be on circumstances, but on the One who can do something beyond circumstances.
The book goes a little deeper with each chapter being a different focus area.
Starting off letting us know what Stress actually DOES to a body. Hey - I'm a fan of Dr. Oz - I know what it can do... it ain't pretty.
Then it leads us into being ready to put God back in charge...
One of my favorite chapters was "Overcoming your Giants"... I just love the story of David knocking down a giant that everyone is afraid of... that right there could be the story of my life against fear. Always there taunting...
Then we learn what 'weapons' we need to put stress out of our lives with God in charge.
& I went high light crazy at the end with the chapter "The Reset Button"... the main points on how to help ourselves get prepared to start over again with God... because we know that stress keeps coming & we have to keep resetting ourselves instead of giving into the craziness of it all.
So much scripture to be inhaled in this...
I will say, there are some chapters that Tracie talks about her personal stress & struggles, & while its good to relate to someone else, the chapters tended to be a little long for me. I guess because it wasn't an exact stress I didn't have, I had a disconnect. But for someone being a mom, changing careers, they may have read every bit of it & was like "That's me"... the joy of a book being different for every reader.
Other then that - I loved the points, the scripture that was highlighted, the focus of the book.
Can't go wrong when you learn more about living a stress less life with God
".... you are worried & upset about many things, but only one thing is needed...." ~Luke 10:41b-42aNIV
So that's the first line of the book... & from right there I was like, "ME ME ME" raising my hand.
I'm so good at being stressed. You could sorta call me a professional if you will. Is there a good salary for that? Because I'd be RICH!
This book was perfect for me in reminding me exactly what I already know - but like to push aside.
That my focus should not be on circumstances, but on the One who can do something beyond circumstances.
The book goes a little deeper with each chapter being a different focus area.
Starting off letting us know what Stress actually DOES to a body. Hey - I'm a fan of Dr. Oz - I know what it can do... it ain't pretty.
Then it leads us into being ready to put God back in charge...
One of my favorite chapters was "Overcoming your Giants"... I just love the story of David knocking down a giant that everyone is afraid of... that right there could be the story of my life against fear. Always there taunting...
Then we learn what 'weapons' we need to put stress out of our lives with God in charge.
& I went high light crazy at the end with the chapter "The Reset Button"... the main points on how to help ourselves get prepared to start over again with God... because we know that stress keeps coming & we have to keep resetting ourselves instead of giving into the craziness of it all.
So much scripture to be inhaled in this...
I will say, there are some chapters that Tracie talks about her personal stress & struggles, & while its good to relate to someone else, the chapters tended to be a little long for me. I guess because it wasn't an exact stress I didn't have, I had a disconnect. But for someone being a mom, changing careers, they may have read every bit of it & was like "That's me"... the joy of a book being different for every reader.
Other then that - I loved the points, the scripture that was highlighted, the focus of the book.
Can't go wrong when you learn more about living a stress less life with God
".... you are worried & upset about many things, but only one thing is needed...." ~Luke 10:41b-42aNIV
June 26, 2013
I began reading this book in preparation for a Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study with Melissa Taylor. The publisher was kind enough send me a copy of the book for review purposes.
To be honest, I did not really feel that my life was all that stressed or chaotic before reading this. I am blessed to be a stay at home mom and although finances are tight we still manage to live within our means. There really isn't a lot of chaos in my world. Then I began reading and learning of the ways that stress can become a part of our normal.
First you have to get through the first chapter or two. This is the only reason I didn't rate the book higher. They are long, and Tracie Miles writing in these chapters kind of makes you feel like an outsider looking. She gives very brief and abstract descriptions of the circumstances in her life and as I reader I never really connected with her because of that. However, don't let that keep you from continuing through the book. There is a lot of great information here.
Tracie guides us from realizing that our stress is a result of our choices, to the physical and emotional effects of stress (many of which I never knew) to how to start giving it to God and embracing the peace He promises us. Each chapter includes reflection questions to help you evaluate your own life in relation to the chapter and begin to apply the teachings. Also includes are "Stress busting Scriptures", reminders of God's promises and tools to add to your stress busting arsenal.
By the end of the book I recognized some hidden stresses in my life like trying to be the wife and mother I read about online. And I learned how to let those hidden stressors go and allow God to lead me to be the wife and mother He has uniquely called me to be. Thanks Tracie!
To be honest, I did not really feel that my life was all that stressed or chaotic before reading this. I am blessed to be a stay at home mom and although finances are tight we still manage to live within our means. There really isn't a lot of chaos in my world. Then I began reading and learning of the ways that stress can become a part of our normal.
First you have to get through the first chapter or two. This is the only reason I didn't rate the book higher. They are long, and Tracie Miles writing in these chapters kind of makes you feel like an outsider looking. She gives very brief and abstract descriptions of the circumstances in her life and as I reader I never really connected with her because of that. However, don't let that keep you from continuing through the book. There is a lot of great information here.
Tracie guides us from realizing that our stress is a result of our choices, to the physical and emotional effects of stress (many of which I never knew) to how to start giving it to God and embracing the peace He promises us. Each chapter includes reflection questions to help you evaluate your own life in relation to the chapter and begin to apply the teachings. Also includes are "Stress busting Scriptures", reminders of God's promises and tools to add to your stress busting arsenal.
By the end of the book I recognized some hidden stresses in my life like trying to be the wife and mother I read about online. And I learned how to let those hidden stressors go and allow God to lead me to be the wife and mother He has uniquely called me to be. Thanks Tracie!
June 13, 2013
This book was absolutely amazing! It not only helped me learn how to better deal with my stress by depending on Jesus first vs. worldly remedies, but it just really opened my eyes to a lot of things I've been doing that I hadn't even realized until I read them in print. This book was at times very convicting, but that lead to so much improvement in my day to day life. Thank you Tracie Miles for an amazing book!
June 25, 2013
This book absolutely changed my life. Not only is Tracie an excellent writer but she makes you feel like the book is written just for you. I know that in the future, when feeling frazzled, I will revisit this book and be renewed in my faith all over again. Highly, highly recommend to any woman that has to juggle many hats on a daily basis!!
July 25, 2013
This book had some great points. The last paragraph summed it up nicely. Your life is not going to change because you read a book about stress. Your life is going to change when you realize the absence of God in your life is intensifying the presence of stress in your heart. Stress is an outward indication of an inner situation.
June 15, 2014
Great book. A lot of the book is common sense, some of the research statistics seem a little out of place or forced. Overall, it's an easy read with a lot of insight and a fresh perspective on dealing with stress. A great bible study for women.
November 17, 2012
It was a thought provoking book. Easy to understand and use toward learning to have a less stressful life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2013
Great book!!!
May 6, 2013
I decided to read this in conjunction with my first online book study. The book was average. The daily emails with the online book study were a bit much so I ended up reading the book on my own.
June 25, 2013
AWESOME Study and tools we can all use to lead a Stressed Less Life.... I highly recommend this study
July 1, 2013
A must read for every mom!
June 26, 2013
Great book with awesome scriptures. Loved it.
July 18, 2013
We did this as an online Bible Study with Proverbs 31 Ministry. It was inspirational,
August 25, 2013
A worthy read, but it gets a bit technical in parts and this sometimes makes it a difficult read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews