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Review: Overbooked and Overwhelmed

Overbooked and Overwhelmed book cover on blue background

While I've taken a few steps in my life to reduce the number of commitments I've made, I still feel burdened by the actual and invisible to-do lists that are constantly around me. Overbooked and Overwhelmed by Tara Sun stood out to me for all of these reasons and more. I've also made it a goal to read more Asian Christian authors this year, so this book doubly resonated with me!

Many thanks to Nelson Books and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

Discover how to intentionally keep Jesus first amid your over-busy, over-notified, and overwhelmed life.

Ever have those days where every battery in your life is running low? Every ping you hear is from someone who needs you. Every item you cross off your list has three more to take its place. Let's face it: Sometimes those days are every day. And the result? God ends up getting the leftovers. It's not that you don't value time with Him, deeper rest, or growing your faith. You just don't know where you can find the energy to make those things more than an afterthought when so much is constantly vying for your attention. How can we stop the busyness long enough to pursue what we know we need the most?

In Overbooked and Overwhelmed, author and podcaster Tara Sun gives you the ideas and inspiration you need to be fully present with God, but are over-busy, over-notified, and overwhelmed. Tara will help you explore how to:

  • Adjust your speed to walk at Jesus' pace instead of trying to keep up with the world's hustle
  • Understand why true peace starts not with ordering your schedule but your heart
  • Develop spiritual resilience for the times they feel stuck in their faith
  • Trade habitual busyness for intentional rhythms of rest, even in seasons when life does not slow down.

For all who feel behind before the day even starts, Overbooked and Overwhelmed helps you put distractions in their place, center your life around Jesus, and prioritize His presence—no matter how crazy-busy life is.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

I appreciate that in the midst of much noise and clutter in our world, Tara Sun has written a book that is clear and simple without omitting some of the truths that Christian women need to face. Like a glass of lemonade, this book is just the right blend of ingredients, providing a refreshing reminder that we periodically need to step back and reflect on the things that can get in the way of our walk with God. Too much sugar in our life, and we can be distracted from what we've been called to as disciples of Jesus Christ. Too much lemon, and life is barely palatable as we try to endure everything thrown at us. Instead of getting weighed down by either ingredient, what we need is to centre our lives around God and reorient ourselves in light of the Bible; only then can our schedules have meaning and purpose beyond chores and to-do lists, providing direction in the midst of busyness.

Relatable and practical while espousing biblical truth, I also like that the author is unafraid to call out behaviours that can act as impediments to our overflowing lives. Feeling convicted in how easily I allow things to pile up instead of being faithful in what I've been given, my favourite chapters are near the end of the book where stewardship and consistency are touched on in how Christians can reflect God's character traits. This brought the book home for me and is well-worth reading to get to these points. Readers looking for a book that offers spiritual insight and application in a digestible format will enjoy how we can move from being Overbooked and Overwhelmed to being available for God’s work when we surrender our schedules to Him.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍
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