Dr. Steve Stephens - The Worn Out Woman: When Life is Full and Your Spirit is Empty

THE WORN OUT WOMAN

published by Multnomah Books

2004 by Steve Stephens and Alice Gray

eISBN: 978-0-307-56407-8

Cover and selected interior images by Steve Gardner, His Image PixelWorks

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from:

Holy Bible, New Living Translation

1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

All rights reserved.

Other Scripture quotations are from:

The Holy Bible, New International Version ( NIV ) 1973, 1984 by

International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

New American Standard Bible ( NASB ) 1960, 1977, 1995

by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition (Phillips)

1958, 1960, 1972 by J. B. Phillips

The Living Bible ( TLB ) 1971.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version ( NKJV )

1984 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

The Message, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002

Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group

Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., New York.

M ULTNOMAH and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Random House Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission.

For information:

MULTNOMAH BOOKS

12265 ORACLE BOULEVARD, SUITE 200

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The message in this book is truth to live by: Dear worn-out woman, you cant do it all, nor do you have to. To me, this statement spells relief. Years of research, counseling, and success are jam-packed in this practical, powerful book. Relieve your body and relax your emotions as you bask in the revelations of how to become rejuvenated. There is rest for the weary!

T HELMA W ELLS , N ATIONAL S PEAKER FOR W OMEN OF F AITH , AUTHOR OF G IRL , H AVE I G OT G OOD N EWS FOR Y OU

This book offers fresh hope and help for all women living worn out lives. Ahh at lasta pathway out of the insanity!

E LISA M ORGAN , PRESIDENT , MOPS I NTERNATIONAL

Imagine my finding The Worn Out Woman on my doorstep on the very day I was feeling well, worn out! Just reading it gave me a sense of peace and the gentle assurance that I can make some positive, healthy changes in my too-busy lifestyle. Steve and Alice offer the perfect balance of ideas and inspiration, compassion and common sense to help us WOWs find a saner way to live. Take a deep breath, girlfriend and dive in!

L IZ C URTIS H IGGS , BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF R ISE AND S HINE

Every woman needs to grasp the truth that no one can unclutter her life without uncluttering her heart. As you read this book, you will be forever indebted to Alice and Steve for providing practical tools to clear the clutter and find your true, God-created self.

J UNE H UNT , FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT , H OPE FOR THE H EART

Tired? Exhausted? Worn out? At last, real help is here. Stephens and Gray will help you climb out of the worn out trap so you can be all God wants you to be. Full of truth, joy, and hope, this book is sprinkled with down-to-earth practical tips and will encourage any woman who feels at the end of her rope!

C LAUDIA A RP , COAUTHOR OF L OVING Y OUR R ELATIVES : E VEN W HEN Y OU D ONT S EE E YE - TO -E YE AND A NSWERING THE 8 C RIES OF THE S PIRITED C HILD

If youre running on fumes, this very insightful guidebook is for you! My friends Dr. Steve and Alice will lead you step-by-step to that joy-filled place called balance.

P AM V REDEVELT , AUTHOR OF THE E SPRESSO FOR Y OUR S PIRIT SERIES AND THE L ETTING G O SERIES

Hope for the worn-out woman I want someI got some! Dr. Steve Stephens and Alice Gray have teamed up to write a book that hit a home run of hope to my heart! If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, or you want to avoid feeling that way, then this book is definitely for you!

P AM F ARREL , COAUTHOR OF M EN A RE L IKE W AFFLES , W OMEN A RE L IKE S PAGHETTI AND AUTHOR OF W OMAN OF I NFLUENCE

Just a few pages into this book and I knew Id found something very special! Alice Gray and Dr. Steve Stephens have created an oasis for The Worn Out Woman, an off-ramp on the busy highway of life. Taken in little sips or long, deeply drunk draughts, youll find refreshing water for your soul as well as new strength and direction to face every day. This is a book youll read over and overone youll want to share with a friend!

J OANNA W EAVER , BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF H AVING A M ARY H EART IN A M ARTHA W ORLD

To the women who live to give God pleasure.

You are our inspiration.

Contents

A Special Thank You to

Our friends Allison Alison, Sandi Bottemiller, Anita Crowther, Carol Clifton, Jen Distler, Barb Majors, Bonnie Marston, Leslie Wait, and Marty Williams.

The thoughtful insights you gave after reading an early manuscript are sprinkled through every chapter.

Our trusted editor, Anne Christian Buchanan.

If books were like songs, you added the melody.

Our treasured life partners, Tami Stephens and Al Gray.

Your prayers and encouragement were daily gifts to us.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We are grateful that You keep teaching us. Even though we have miles to go, we pray You will find pleasure in what we have written.

Note to Our Readers

We have used many true stories in this book. But unless we had specific permission from the women involved, we changed the names and altered the circumstances enough to protect their privacy.

I am worn to a raveling.

B EATRIX P OTTER , T HE T AILOR OF G LOUCESTER

l ate one winter night, five women lingered in the fireside room of a popular retreat center. We chose a cozy fireplace corner that was thoughtfully furnished for comfort and conversation. The soothing glow of burning embers, steaming mugs of hot chocolate, and a satisfying fatigue after a day of meetings drew us together. We curled our stockinged feet under us, snuggled deeper into the soft cushions, and began a conversation that would change the course of our lives.

When women get away from hectic schedules and daily worries, its fascinating how quickly we become intimate. Intimate not only with God and our hearts desires, but also with each other in honest conversation. Even though we five had just met that afternoon, the retreat setting had already spun its magic, and we were ready to talk like the best of friends.