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OVERLOADHow to Unplug, Unwind, and Unleash Yourselffrom the Pressure of StressJoyce MeyerNEW YORK BOSTON NASHVILLEOverload HCtextF1.indd iii 12/24/159:29:38 PM

Copyright 2016 by Joyce MeyerAll rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning,uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of thepublisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If youwould like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior writtenpermission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com.Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.Unless otherwise noted Scriptures are taken from The Amplified Bible (AMP). TheAmplified Bible, Old Testament, copyright 1965, 1987 by The Zondervan Corporation.The Amplified New Testament, copyright 1954, 1958, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.Used by permission.Scriptures noted (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version .Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission ofZondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New LivingTranslation, Copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.FaithWordsHachette Book Group1290 Avenue of the AmericasNew York, NY 10104www.faithwords.comPrinted in the United States of AmericaRRD‑CFirst Edition: March 201610 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1FaithWords is a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.The FaithWords name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.The Hachette Speakers Bureau provides a wide range of authors for speaking events. Tofind out more, go to www.hachettespeakersbureau.com or call (866) 376- 6591.The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are notowned by the publisher.Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication DataNames: 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 bibliographicalreferences.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) ISBN9781455559862 (ebook)Subjects: LCSH: Stress (Psychology)—Religious aspects—Christianity. Stressmanagement—Religious aspects—Christianity.Classification: LCC BV4509.5 .M4755 2016 DDC 248.8/6—dc23 LC record available athttp://lccn.loc.gov/2015039434ISBN 978‑1‑ 4555- 6625‑9 (international trade)Overload HCtextF1.indd iv 12/24/159:29:38 PM

CONTENTSIntroduction ixChapter 1: Start Defeating Stress Today 3Chapter 2: Who’s in Charge? 19Chapter 3: The Best Stress- Relief Possible 33Chapter 4: I’d Like to Exchange This 47Chapter 5: Decisions You Make and Steps You Take 63Chapter 6: Did You Forget Something? 77Chapter 7: Choice Overload 91Chapter 8: Laugh, Laugh, and Laugh Some More 107Chapter 9: The Stress of Comparison 123Chapter 10: Change the Conversation 137Chapter 11: It Is Well with My Soul 151Chapter 12: Facing Stress Head‑on! 167Chapter 13: Seeing Things Differently 181Chapter 14: The Quickest Way to Defeat Stress 197Chapter 15: The First Day of the Rest of Your Life 215Notes 229Overload HCtextF1.indd v 12/24/159:29:38 PM

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Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.Proverbs 12:25Overload HCtextF1.indd vii 12/24/159:29:38 PM

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INTRODUCTIONWow! I am so excited about this book. I have a great expectationthat it will truly help you learn how to manage and even elimi‑nate the stress in your life. Let me tell you why I have a specialexcitement about Overload: How to Unplug, Unwind, and UnleashYourself from the Pressure of Stress.In my years of ministry, I’ve taught and written on a wide vari‑ety of topics. Knowing God Intimately, The Power of Your Words,Obeying God’s Voice, Overcoming Fear, Living with Hope, The Battlefield of the Mind, Receiving God’s Love, Enjoying Your Life— justto name a few.And while each topic that God has led me to write or teachabout is important, I feel like there’s something particularly sig‑nificant about this book. You see, stress is a subject I’m all toofamiliar with. This isn’t just an issue I’ve studied. It’s not a themeI’ve merely read about. And it’s not a topic I’ve only witnessedfrom a distance.Stress is something I’ve had to deal with.It’s a nagging enemy I’ve battled. Sometimes winning andsometimes losing, stress is an adversary I’ve dealt with in thepast . . .  and something I still need to confront and resist in my lifetoday.There have been many days when stress has tried to steal mypeace and hijack my joy. Hectic circumstances, busy schedules,Overload HCtextF1.indd ix 12/24/159:29:38 PM

xIntroductionand poor choices have been the entryway through which stresshas come barging in. And I do mean barging in. Stress rarelysneaks into our lives through a back alley. It prefers to comerushing through the front door.You may be able to relate to what I am saying. As a matter offact, I have a feeling you know exactly what I’m talking about.I’m sure you’ve dealt with your share of frustrations, pressures,and stressful situations. You’ve probably had days when the billspiled up, the kids drove you crazy, the boss seemed unreason‑able, and the car started making that funny noise again. (Youmay be having one of those days today.)So, it looks like you and I are in the same boat. You may notknow all the specifics (though I’ll share some of them with you inthe pages to come), but you can relate to the stress I have expe‑rienced. And I may not know all the specifics, but I can relate toyours.I think that’s why I’m so excited to be writing this book, andI’m equally excited you’re reading it. I feel like we’re in thistogether. You and I — we’re fellow sojourners on this journey toreduce our stress levels. We’ve both felt exasperated, we’ve bothbeen discouraged, and we’ve both contemplated escaping toa beach somewhere so everyone will leave us alone. (   Just kid‑ding . . .  kind of.)But let me zoom the camera out wider than just you and me.There’s a bigger picture here I want you to see. Did you knowthere is someone else who understands the pressures of stress?Someone else who can identify with what you’re going throughwhen life gets crazy and things get out of control?That person is Jesus.If that answer surprises you, consider for a moment some ofthe stressors I believe Jesus faced:Overload HCtextF1.indd x 12/24/159:29:38 PM

Introduction xi1. His ragtag group of disciples needed correction on a regu‑lar basis.2. The Pharisees and the Sadducees constantly tried to publi‑cally discredit His ministry.3. Huge crowds formed everywhere He went, begging formiracles.4. The people in His own hometown of Nazareth rejected Histeaching.5. One of His chosen followers betrayed Him for thirty piecesof silver.Sounds pretty stressful to me. And that doesn’t even take into con‑sideration the fact that Jesus was on a divine mission to save human‑ity from our sins and reconnect us to God. Jesus knew He was goingto die a cruel death; it was no surprise to Him. Yet He never stoppedmarching toward the cross. That’s a stress that none of us can everimagine. It may be difficult to remember that Jesus experiencedstress, but the Bible teaches us that He understands all of our weak‑nesses and infirmities because He was tempted in all respects just aswe are, yet He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).But in the midst of all the stress and all the pressure, Jesus saidthings like:Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give andbequeath to you.John 14:27 (emphasis added)In the world you have . . .  distress and frustration; but be ofgood cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]!For I have overcome the world.John 16:33 (emphasis added)Overload HCtextF1.indd xi 12/24/159:29:38 PM

xiiIntroductionI have told you these things, that My joy and delight may bein you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.John 15:11 (emphasis added)Also, in the midst of a h urricane- type storm, He rebuked thewind and told it to be still, and then He said to His disciples . . .Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have nofaith (no firmly relying trust)?Mark 4:40Isn’t that amazing? Despite the inconveniences, the challenges,and the pressures all around Him, Jesus remained peaceful andat rest. He went about the work before Him with confidence andjoy, even as others were panicking and losing their cool.No matter the circumstance— whether it was an unexpected stormor an angry mob— Jesus was a calming, steadying presence. This iswhy He could say in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who laborand are heavy- laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest.”Jesus is still speaking those words—“Come to Me, and I willcause you to rest”— today. The life He wants you to live is not alife overrun by stress. You weren’t meant to go through each dayworried, anxious, and afraid, just waiting for the hammer to fallor the other shoe to drop. You can take all that stress, all thatpressure, and learn to give it to God and live in the peace and thejoy He has planned for your life.I know that’s true because I’ve seen it happen in my own life. Iwas faced with a choice years ago: I could give in to the stress andanxiety that I was feeling, or I could learn to follow the leading ofthe Holy Spirit and cast every care upon God.Overload HCtextF1.indd xii 12/24/159:29:38 PM

Introduction xiiiWhen I began to trust God with my life, and as I began to reallystudy and understand the effect stress and worry were having onme (spirit, soul, and body), I was amazed at the turnaround thatbegan to take place. A transformation started to unfold in my life asI chose to make God- directed, daily decisions to overcome stress.Sure, I still face the same stressors I always have. And, yes, thereare still days that are more stressful than others. But my life is nolonger overloaded with what Jesus called the “cares and anxietiesof the world” (see Mark 4:19). Now when I’m faced with a situationthat used to absolutely drive me bananas, by the grace of God, I’velearned to keep my joy, trust God, and keep moving forward.That’s why I decided to write this book. I can’t wait to showyou what the Lord has taught m e— and what He is still teaching me— about overcoming stress. No matter what you’re facing— big or small, annoying or terrifying— believe me when I tell you:You don’t have to live an anxious, worried, stressed- out life.Trust me, I understand that you’re dealing with challenges anddifficulties, sometimes on a daily basis. I know it can be exhaustingtrying to successfully navigate the stormy waters of life. But I wantto encourage you today— you don’t have to navigate those watersalone. God has promised that He is with you and that He will neverleave your side (see Deuteronomy 31:6). And if God is with you,there is no problem, no debt, no trial, and no obstacle worth stress‑ing out about. God’s not going to let you sink. He is in control, andHe is going to see you safely through to the other side.Is your bank account running on empty?Don’t stress out. God is in control!Do you have a big decision to make for your future?Don’t stress out. God is in control!Overload HCtextF1.indd xiii 12/24/159:29:38 PM