Out of Control : Finding Peace for the Physically Exhausted and Spiritually Strung Out

by Ben Young, Samuel Adams

With cell phones, instant messaging, express lanes, and PDAs, we can now cram more activities into our lives than ever before. But is this a blessing or a curse? Could it be that this fast-paced lifestyle is creating an underlying sense of anxiety and fragmentation? Is it any wonder the television is flooded with advertising for anti-anxiety medication? As a nation, we are stressed out, physically exhausted, and spiritually drained. Working professionals caught in the continual push for success or over-extended soccer moms who feel burdened with too many commitments will find in Out of Control desperately needed help. This book shares with readers the liberating truth that they are not helpless victims of our fast-paced society. Most importantly, it gives readers permission to slow down and presents practical methods for living a life of peace and simplicity.

Genres: Spirituality, Christian Living, Christian

215 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2006

About the author

Dr. Ben Young is the senior pastor at Second Baptist Church, a diverse, multi-ethnic church with over 20,000 people attending weekly services online and on six campuses throughout the city of Houston. The author of several books, including Room for Doubt, Devotions for Dating Couples and Survive the Day, Dr. Young is also an adjunct professor at Houston Theological Seminary where he teaches homiletics, apologetics and practical theology.
Born and raised in the Carolinas before moving to Texas in 1978, Young was educated at Baylor University, Southwestern Theological Seminary and Bethel Theological Seminary in San Diego. Having hosted a nationally syndicated radio talk show for years and serving as chaplain for the Houston Astros, Dr. Young also enjoys surfing and practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Reviews

[Will Klatte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of Control was a pretty interesting read on spiritual advice you can take into your own life to try and slow things down a bit. The advice did feel practical, and there were a handful of useful bits of information that I plan on implementing in my own life. However, this book can feel outdated at times, and in a world where technology is getting more and more engrained in day to day life some of the principals begin to feel unreasonable to follow.

[Paco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of Control is not a book with a new revelation to most of our lives. I find that most of what they discussed was already known to me, but it was a great way to serve as a reminder, but also on how to help you escape the clutches of an out of control life, even if you don't believe your life is. There are a few places where the examples they gave of how things control you, or ways to know if you're being controlled seemed a bit extreme, but that could just be the difference of opinion of course, and you don't have to take everything to heart here.

Overall easy to read and understand. Serves more of a "Problem & How To Go About Solving" book from a Christian perspective.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I consider myself spiritual and not religious this book was a bit scripture heavy for me. However, having said that I really enjoyed it and thought all of there ideas and getting unplugged, setting boundaries, and saying no were spot on! I would recommend this (and have) to friends, colleagues, and family.

[Brenda Huntsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it a few years back and picked it up and read again recently. Has helped me to refocus and prevented me from becoming overwhelmed.