For all the moms out there who work outside the home, at home or happen to be a full time mom, wife and homemaker – we all can feel a little ‘frazzled' at times. This doesn't mean you're a bad mom, wife or employee – it just means you are human. Everyone can feel overwhelmed, stressed, even burnt out, but what most people don't know is that there are certain steps we can take to help decrease, even eliminate all the ‘frazzle' in our lives.
In my personal opinion, stress doesn't come solely from the circumstances or situations in our lives. Stress, anxiety and worry come as a result of how we choose to react or respond in those situations. For example, you may get stressed out, frustrated or irritated at work and you blame how you feel on your boss or co-workers and how they treat you. In reality, it's not how you're being treated or the environment you're in – it's how you choose to respond to them and your surroundings. You can just let it roll right off you and not give it a second thought – which would leave no room for frustration or anger or stress. On the other hand, you can let it fester inside you and you can dwell on it day and night – which is the open invitation for the stress and frustration that will eventually eat away at you. As you can see, it's up to us individually to determine the course of our lives; whether we'll let our circumstances control us or if we'll take control of our circumstances.
Karol Ladd and Jane Jarell, the authors of The Frazzled Factor walk you through “7 Simple Steps from guilt to grace”, addressing everyday situations and concerns for the average woman. As you read through these pages you'll soon realize that the topics discussed are realistic, therefore you can relate to what is being said to what's going on in your own life. This book focuses on each of us making our lives better. Real challenges and situations are presented with advice on how to manage these own areas in your life. Empasis is made on enjoying life and what we can do each and everyday to make it happen in our lives. Again, we are to make it happen - so this book offers simple solutions and solid advice on managing our lives in the best possible way.
One aspect that I respected about this particular book and these particular authors is the fact that they acknowledge that none of this can't be done on our own. They don't present false and misleading hope that we can be our own gods and magically move through each day with all the answers, ability and self-strength needed to live perfect lives. I don't know about you, but that's a relief to me to not have that much weight on my shoulders. But, most importantly, the authors remind the readers of the first priority that each women should have in their lives and that is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. From this one relationship a person is able to turn to God and scripture for much needed guidance and encouragement. He has answers for the big things in life down to the small, everyday details that may seem menial and unimportant.
The Frazzled Factor contains sections devoted to ‘Staying Connected With Your Kids', ‘Deepening Your Relationships', ‘Equip For Success', ‘Having Fun', ‘Personal Refreshment' and so much more. You will find just about every area of your life discussed, but along with it they reach out and offer help with suggestions, advice and guidance to help every Christian women thrive in her life.
Some answers we seek out may seem so simple – yet we never find those answers on our own. Karol Ladd and Jane Jarell have a sincere desire to help other women achieve greatness in every area of their lives. Take the advice in this book and apply it to your own life and watch how things will begin to change. We can't expect to sit back and do nothing and think our life will pan out just like we think it should. If we have goals in our life (which we all should have goals) - we must personally step out of the boat onto the water and take a step of faith. We must create our atmosphere, not just accept what comes along. The Frazzled Factor will help you take that step with short quizzes to assess your position in certain areas, chapter summaries and scripture meditations.
The Frazzled Factor opens with the most fitting scripture that can sum up what the entire book is essentially about. Psalm 37:3-5, 23 (NIV) says,
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this...
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm.
As you read through the pages of this book, do so in faith asking God to reveal to you what changes you need to make, what areas need more (or less) attention – and overall to let the book speak to you personally and that it can be used as a tool that God can use to better yourself, your job, your family and your overall success in life.
