Divine Time Management: The Joy of Trusting God's Loving Plans for You

by Elizabeth Grace Saunders

Time is a precious gift. When you invest it well, it's marked with meaning and unforgettable moments of joy. But if you're like so many, you feel rushed. Overwhelmed. Pressured by your daily obligations and others' expectations. The need to please, to succeed, and to make a difference wears away at your joy and leaves you feeling empty or exhausted.
Elizabeth Grace Saunders, internationally recognized time management expert, has helped everyone from busy moms to small business owners to corporate clients reorder their lives for success. She knows there are endless apps, books, and useful methods for becoming self-disciplined, organized, and more successful, but these tools alone aren't enough to provide true freedom from the stress of how to best manage time.

Yet when Elizabeth's longtime faith intersected with her work, it unlocked the power of DIVINE TIME MANAGEMENT. After a season of unusually high stress, where traditional time management methods fell short, she found a transformative sense of peace by surrendering her plans to God. Pursuing God's wisdom in time management, Elizabeth discovered that by trusting Him she could achieve the happy, prosperous, confident life He lovingly planned for her. Now she shares how you can find purpose, joy, and the peace that comes from letting God guide your actions.

DIVINE TIME MANAGEMENT offers you: a path to deeper intimacy with God centered on trust in Him; an understanding of what God wants for your life, to inform how you set priorities; biblical and personal encouragement to embrace your God-given desires; effective ways to faithfully navigate major decisions; and proven time-saving methods.

God delights in His children experiencing His best. DIVINE TIME MANAGEMENT will help you align your life with God's best for you, for lasting joy with Christ at the center of your world.

Genres: Christian, Productivity, Nonfiction, Faith, Theology

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2017

About the author

About Real Life E®
Elizabeth Grace Saunders is the founder and CEO of Real Life E® a time coaching and training company that empowers individuals who feel guilty, overwhelmed and frustrated to feel peaceful, confident and accomplished through an exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. She is an expert on achieving more success with less stress. Real Life E® also increases employee productivity, satisfaction and work/life balance through custom training programs.

McGraw Hill published her first book The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment: How to Achieve More Success with Less Stress. Elizabeth contributes to blogs like Lifehacker, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and the 99U blog on productivity for creative professionals. She was selected as one of the Top 25 Amazing Women of the Year by Stiletto Woman.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not your typical time management book. This book is about priorities, about putting God at the center of your life, about living each day in His strength and not your own. The issue is how we invest our time, not how much we get accomplished in that time. Saunders' emphasis is having a relationship with God and how we use our time because of it.

I like that Saunders suggests beginning our day by asking God what He wants us to do that day. She suggests we prayerfully look over our schedule, remembering that God wants us to seek him first. Time management is not about getting things done but rather about having the freedom to do the Lord's will, following as He leads.

You'll not find nifty scheduling tips in this book, although Saunders has written previous books dealing specifically with time management. You will find a very personal account of how God changed her life. She had been an over achiever, devoted to time management. Now she shares insights on how we are to invest our time with God as our focus. You will find practical suggestions for trusting God as the center of your life. You will also find some good teaching on our identity in Christ and how that affects what you do. There is also good teaching on having right relationships with God, others, and yourself.

I recommend this book to those who want to know more about the importance of investing time in a relationship with God than about scheduling or other aspects of time management.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divine Time Management: The Joy of Trusting God's Loving Plans for You by Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a very helpful book on how to properly order our time and our lives. This is a book that is sure to add value to the lives of readers who are ready to acknowledge that managing their time is about more then proper scheduling. It's about aligning themselves with God then prioritizing and planning the most important aspects of their lives accordingly.

This book is going to be a breath of fresh air for readers who are looking for something more than new timesaving, organizing and planning tips. This book is about more than managing our schedules and to do lists. Elizabeth is encouraging readers to invite God into their lives in a way they likely never have before. The aim of this book is to help readers develop an increased level of trust in God that will result in a reordering of their lives and much better management of their time each day.

Not only does Elizabeth present valuable educational and practical approaches to better time management, but she also shares personal experiences and lessons that she has learned along her journey with God. She admits that this is her first time writing a faith-centered book; however, I would have never known if she didn't mention it. This book is very balanced. The concepts are presented in an easy to comprehend manner and there are plenty of helpful reflection questions and Scriptures from the Word of God to meditate on throughout each section of the book.

This is hands down one of the best books that I've read on time management. It's refreshing to have someone who is knowledgeable on the topic seamlessly integrate the most important person, Jesus Christ, into the process. The results are truly life changing, if readers are willing to take the concepts and principles revealed in this book and seriously apply them in their lives. If they do, the will learn how to value their time and align it with God's purpose for their lives. This is going to be a book that I definitely recommend to people who have a desire to gain more control over their time and deepen their relationship with God, themselves and others simultaneously. This book is an amazing must read!

I received this book free from the publisher through their book review bloggers program and I was not required to write a positive review.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divine Time Management is unlike any other time management book that I have read before. It isn't just a way to manage your time to maximum productivity like many time management books. Instead, Elizabeth Grace Saunders guides readers to look to God to direct their time with a subtitle of "the joy of trusting God's loving plans for you."


Divine Time Management is divided into three sections: Trust in God at the Center, Love For Your True Identity, and Alignment with God. There are three chapters in each section. Each chapter guides the reader to look to God and to look at how their life can better reflect a life that lives for God. Then at the end of each chapter there are exercises to reflect on the material and to apply it to live each day being transformed though Him.


I found Divine Time Management to be an extremely helpful book to me personally. I had a hard time reading it quickly because I wanted to reflect on the reading and apply what I was learning. Throughout the book, I constantly found myself praying and thinking about how to better serve God with my life. I also liked that Saunders is saying "me too" and not talking down to her readers. She shares some personal stories that are easy to relate to for most of us, I think. Saunders also runs a time coaching business and shares stories from her clients as well. For anyone wanting to live the Christian life by honoring God with their time, I would highly recommend Divine Time Management. This book would also be good for a group discussion. Saunders also has a small group discussion guide for download on her website: www.DivineTimeBook.com for those who would like to do this book with a group.


I received a copy of Divine Time Management from Faithwords/Hachette Book Group. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divine Time Management: The Joy Of Trusting God's Loving Plans For You by Elizabeth Grace Saunders is more of a book on life management than actual time management, or perhaps the title would be aptly read as "divine time" management - managing your time spent with the divine.

In Divine Time Management, Elizabeth shares glimpses of her own personal story, combined with testimonials from friends and clients, to demonstrate not only the problems with conventional time management techniques, but also the solutions that help bring you closer to God. Tackling common goals such as control, pleasure, and achievement, Elizabeth shows you how to recreate your goals by learning to trust in God, loving your true identity, and coming into alignment with God. Heavily laced with scriptures, prayers, and powerful exercises, this book is designed to help you learn to clear your schedule and refocus your life on the one thing that truly matters - your relationship with God.

I really like Elizabeth's honesty and her openness about her own hang-ups and shortcomings, which helps you to realize that no matter where you are on your journey, God is there to embrace you and help you along the path. Whether you struggle with not wanting to let go of control, being a people-pleaser, or trying too hard to fit in even when it means sacrificing little parts of yourself - this book is for you! If you don't have any major control, identity, or relationship issues, but you are looking to learn new ways to grow closer to God and His plans for your life - then this book is also for you. 4/5 stars.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle offers the best description of what you’ll find in this book. If you’re looking for specific tips to better manage your time, you won’t find them here. If you’re looking for ways to improve your relationship with God, by replacing ideas of controlling your own life with ones involving trusting God on your life journey, you’ll be inspired. I recommend to everyone who is trying to replace fear, anxiety, and planning with faith and commitment.

[Miguel Panão · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is good, but when you expect something and it doesn't meet your expectations, it is always disappointing. However, if you seek a memoir on the way God may enter your life and change it, this is a good book to start with.

[Lilian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth Grace Saunders' Divine Time Management highlights three main themes: trusting God by placing Him at the centre of one's decisions, loving one's true identity and aligning with God. By applying these themes the author hopes that the reader will be able to shave non-essential priorities and focus on the "real ones". She anchors her book on the fact that God is in control of everything, Therefore, Christians should trust in Him, seek His advice before carrying forward with any action. In her words:

"Investing time in your priorities, following through on commitments, setting realistic expectations, and practising good routines are all helpful. However, the ultimate goal of time management should not be achievement or getting things done. Instead, it should be about creating the freedom to do the Lord’s will and in turn receive God’s best. Just like when you have your finances in good order, you have more freedom to move and do what the Lord calls you to do. In the same way, when you have your time in order, you have more flexibility to use your time as God leads. That could sometimes mean being able to get more things done—like serving at church—but other times it could mean doing less, like spontaneously taking a day to have fun with a friend or family member or to simply rest in the Lord."

Saunders calls on Christians who are always volunteering for stuff and events to get clear on their anointing. She advises:

"The next time you find yourself about to volunteer to go above and beyond and beyond, pause before you commit. Think about why you are stretching yourself paper-thin: Are your motives purely to help or is this about being the “super” something? Are you coming from a place of faith or fear? Finally, is this something you sense is of God or of yourself? Then decide whether to move forward and take action or to keep your mouth shut. Often a moment of silence can spare you from weeks or months of stress."

If you are looking for productivity hacks, then this is not the book for you. In contrast, the author favours digging more into the Christian's psyche while helping them to decipher the right vs wrong goals. Then the end of each chapter provides boxes for reflection and prayer ideas for tackling each issue.

[Susan Shipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title alone gives it away! DIVINE Time Management - God is definitely a big part of this book by Elizabeth Saunders, a Real-Life and Time Coach! She knows a thing or two about her subject.

Some of the key lessons are:
1. A deeper and more intimate relationship with God
2. Setting God-given priorities
3. Encouragement to embrace and engage your desires
4. Navigate major life decisions
5. Proven time-saving methods

We all know God has a plan for our life - but how do we even know what that is without spending quality time with Him. And, how do you find and schedule that quality time? When you do find it, how do you discern His plan? Set priorities? Engage the plan? Make important decisions?

This book will guide you through these processes and will leave you with the knowledge that time really is a precious gift.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a while to finish this, which tells me it's not overwhelmingly enthralling. There are many parts which are important and I can take away, some are more new age and should be taken cautiously. Towards the end, it had many references to websites and resources which felt to me like a free ad for those places and people. Also, every other page talks about what to do if you want "God's best for you" and your life. Overall, I'm thrilled to be finished with this one, I'll take the nuggets that I can learn from and pray for.

[Bwh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great overall theme

This is not a how to time management book. I loved the overall theme of trusting in God and stop trying to control one's life. But the approach to finding God's will is more spiritualized than what I believe . And though I appreciated the great related Bible passages at times it felt like proof texting rather than a balanced approach to what scripture said on various topics. The author style is informal conversational and even chatty at points. That wasn't for me.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating is “it was okay” - for me. I’m excited to give this book to a friend and recommend it to others who I know will connect with it. I’m also looking forward to following the author online.

[Madi Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on spending time with God and putting him first. Also talks about how we can be better as individuals and not try to focus so much on what others do.

[Jon Barr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting, but fine for what it is. A bit heavy on the "let go, let God" mindset.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! The life changing message for me was don’t over schedule your calendar. Leave room for self care and room for the Lord to use you when He needs you. ❤️

[Brandi Fennell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Audible and really enjoyed it. Great information and not just solely on time management. It’s a whole mind, body, soul approach to using the time we have wisely.

[Eugene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book over a year ago. It resonated deeply at the time and set me on a path in exploring Christian teachings and its relevance in guiding my life. A year later, my faith along the path has matured and evolved. The language from this book no longer challenge and inspire me as it used to, though they can still be good reminders.

[Arnold Grot]

How to live the life you were meant to live, free of worry and in boundence.

[Masters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the title, not a time management book.

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was definitely more spiritual than I usually read and was recommended by an executive so figured I'd check it out. The early section on The Wrong Goals was quite intriguing.

[Daryl Moad]

I'll be using this as a birthday present for the son of a close friend in 2018.