Book Review: In Search Of Wisdom: Life-Changing Truths in the Book of Proverbs by Joyce Meyer

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:6 

Publishers Description

#1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer takes us on a journey through the wisdom of Proverbs that leaves us transformed and prepared to face daily choices and challenges.

The book of Proverbs is a treasure trove of spiritual and practical wisdom that equips us to live our best lives. Knowledge is important, but if it isn't converted into action, it fails to create transformational change in our lives. It is important to gain a thoughtful and practical understanding of the seven foundational principles in the book of Proverbs:
Wisdom,
Understanding,
Prudence,
Knowledge,
Discretion,
Discernment, and
Fear of the Lord.

If we desire to possess these qualities, we must make a commitment to a deeper understanding and implementation of these values in our daily lives.
Featuring inspiring questions to promote thoughtful reflection, In Search of Wisdom will enlighten you with God's understanding and teach you the foundational principles and secure God's help in practicing them.

My Personal Review

In Search of Wisdom: Life-Changing Truths in the Book of Proverbs by Joyce Meyer serves as a beautiful map of the book of Proverbs!

This is an excellent book that imparts practical wisdom on how to make daily decisions that will grow us closer to the Lord and keep us physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe. In the author’s usual manner of concise Biblical teaching, Joyce Meyer clearly defines that in order to obtain wisdom, we must first understand that by definition, “wisdom is not just the ‘gathering’ of knowledge, but the ‘proper use’ of knowledge." 

The work is organized into chapters that coincide with the book of Proverbs. The idea is that there are seven basic foundational principles to gain wisdom. If we can practice these principles, we will gain a deeper Biblical comprehension and thereby strengthen our walk with the Lord, which in turn, will help us manage our lives better. The principles uncovered within the book of Proverbs are: wisdom itself, understanding, prudence, knowledge, discretion, discernment, and the fear of the Lord.

What I love about this latest teaching treasure, besides it’s extremely timely release in a day where we are surrounded by confusion and turmoil, is the unashamed way that the truths of the Bible are addressed head on. Joyce does not mix words about hot topics, but rather addresses them directly from a Biblical stance. She reminds us that the fruits of our actions when we follow the guidance within the book of Proverbs, will be a blessing to not only our own life, but the lives we come in contact with on a daily basis. 

My take away from the book, In Search of Wisdom is threefold. First, the book serves as an uplifting reminder that God has given us an instructional manual within the book of Proverbs that is as relevant today as it was at the time of it’s initial writing. In our shifting world of unstable ideas, it is a beautiful gift to find a concrete list of behaviors that will help us live safe, content, abundant lives. Second, this latest work by Joyce Meyer could easily be used in a small group Bible study of Proverbs. There is enough material within each chapter to spark lots of exploration of God’s Word and open dialogue about how that applies to our lives. Finally, the book is one of encouragement and inspiration. As time goes by and life delivers new challenges, the reader will find new nuggets of truth and fresh perspective to handle many situations; it is a book that can easily be reread many times over! 

Thank you to FaithWords a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. for this complimentary review copy of In Search of Wisdom by Joyce Meyer. I was not required to give a favorable review, but to simply read the work in it’s entirety and give my honest opinion.

Book Review: OVERLOAD: How to Unplug, Unwind, and Unleash Yourself From the Pressure of Stress by Joyce Meyer

Proverbs 12:25(NIV)
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Publishers Description

#1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer shows readers how to become free from the burden of stress so that they can achieve God's best for their lives.

Sound & simple directions to decrease the stress in your life! 

As technology increases your accessibility, it becomes harder to mute the background noise of your life and receive God's guidance. Joyce Meyer calls this OVERLOAD, when the demands of your busy life become all-consuming and overwhelming. But to experience the joyful life God has planned, you must make time to focus on His Word. Then you'll receive His healing calmness and gain the strength to take on life's challenges, from physical ailments to problems in relationships. Through the practical advice and Scriptural wisdom in this book, you'll learn how to unplug and free yourself from burdens that weigh you down. You'll gain simple, effective tips for better rest and stress management and discover the fulfilling life you were meant to lead.

My Personal Review:

OVERLOAD: How to Unplug, Unwind, and Unleash Yourself From The Pressure Of Stress by Joyce Meyer is a multifaceted book aimed at helping the reader deal with stress. There is literally something for everyone in this book!

You won't be disappointed in Joyce Meyer's newest book, Overload. In this extremely well organized publication to be released tomorrow, Joyce identifies stress as "an indiscriminate thief that will take whatever it can from whomever it can....health, peace, rest, relationships, laughter...stress wants to take it all away!" She doesn't stop with assisting the reader in identifying areas of tension in their life, but goes a step farther by providing very concise direction for how to deal with those areas of your life that are creating havoc and stealing your peace. 

 The selling attribute for the book, Overload, is not that there is a large volume of new information being presented, but that the knowledge is presented all together in one place in a very easy reading fashion. The highlighted gray boxes throughout the pages, as well as the "Things to Remember" list at the end of each chapter are a very effective tool for improving retention. Joyce sufficiently covers the effects, common causes, frequent triggers & poor responses of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual stress. In addition she delivers tangible instruction on how to decrease the presence of stress in one's life and deal better with those situations that are unavoidable.

Joyce Meyer (www.joycemeyer.org) has focused her entire ministry on teaching the Bible, so it is little surprise that the guidance she presents is backed up with scriptural references. She reminds the reader that they have a choice to make each day...they can trust themselves or they can put their trust in God  referencing: 

Psalm 37:3(NIV) Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 

In a very detailed breakdown of practical solutions, Joyce addresses: confidence in the Lord, making necessary changes in our lives to decrease stress, doing our part to respond to uncontrollable stress in a Godly manner, remembering that God is good, simplifying our lives when possible, laughing more, choosing to live in the security of Christ, monitoring our speech, enjoying the life we have been given, adjusting our perspective and choosing to

become more outward focused by blessing others with acts of service. The book is a catalyst

that promotes personal reflection and serves to assist the reader in discovering those areas

in their life that might be a hindrance to living a stress free life. 

Get outside, take a walk, enjoy a hobby
& drink more water! These are just a few
of the many suggestions to help decrease
stress taken from Joyce Meyer's new book: Overload

There is a tandem workbook with Overload: How to Unplug, Unwind, and Unleash Yourself From the Pressure of Stress that will be available for purchase in May 2016. I would like to go through this workbook with a group of friends or within a Bible Study setting. I think it would provide a beautiful opportunity to connect on an extremely transparent level with a community of believers. This subject matter presented in a Biblical workbook format could be life changing. In the meantime, I plan to reread and apply the advice in this book, one chapter at a time. Yes....it's that good!!

I would like to thank FaithWords Publishing for this review copy of OVERLOAD: How to Unplug, Unwind, and Unleash Yourself From the Pressure of Stress by Joyce Meyer. I received this complimentary copy in exchange for reading this book in it's entirety and giving an honest review.