While I ready myself for our Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference next week (and feed three freshman football players after their morning workouts1) I am having a few friends offer giveaways.
Today, meet my friend Sarah and hear about her book Stress Point.
About her:
Sarah Francis Martin has a passion to encourage and relate to women in their twenties. Her relevant and conversational style will lead young adult readers to live out the kingship of Christ in everyday life in order to find godly success, purpose and well being. Her ministry, LIVE IT OUT!, is a space for 20-somethings to connect with one another and grow closer to Jesus (www.liveitoutblog.com).
About her book:
Want to ditch the drama and thrive through your twenties? Body image. Friendships. Career. Money. Dating. All these issues and more serve as points of stress for the 20-something woman, and combined they can make for a decade of drama in a girl’s life. Sarah is the slightly older girlfriend who’s been there, done that, and got the not-so-cute t-shirt. Through this interactive Bible study, Sarah helps young adult women address each stress point by encouraging them to wait on the Lord, worship Him, and make Him the focus of their lives.
Her interview:
~ Sarah, what prompted you to write Stress Point?
After working with the She Seeks, a division of Proverbs 31 Ministries for 20-somethings, I noticed that our readers were in need of resources that speak directly to the single/college/career stage of life. I thought this would be an awesome opportunity to share with young adult women how they can put Jesus in the center of every single area of life.
~ What do you feel are the greatest stressors a woman faces in her twenties?
In addition to the typical stress of dating and navigating relationships during this decade, the topic of money, career, body image and making a difference in the world are just a few stress points. This is such a transitional and even weird stage of life where young adult women are navigating life now that they are “officially.” It is difficult to work through these stress points when we don’t have a center of focus on Jesus.
~ What do you hope your readers discover as they experience your book?
It is my prayer, hope and dream that young adult women will see that they are not alone in their stress points. I also hope and pray that after they’ve conversed with me by reading the book, they will put Stress Point down, pick up their Bible and have some meaningful conversations with the Lord.
~ Anything older women can glean from your book?
Absolutely. We all face stress points in life yet often lose our way as to what matters most. I think women older than 20-somethings (our “slightly older girlfriends”) will learn how to what I call, LIVE OUT! the Kingship of Christ in every area of their life.
Also, Stress Point is a great resource for parents of 20-somethings. Not only would they get a glimpse into the mind and heart of their daughters, Stress Point makes for a great graduation gift!
Thanks Sarah!
Now, if you would like to be entered into a drawing to receive a signed copy of Sarah’s book, answer this question:
~IF YOU ARE IN YOUR 20′s: What is the biggest stresser you face?
~ IF YOU ARE IN YOUR 30′s OR ABOVE: What is one piece of advice you wish you could go back and give your twenty-something self?
Go……..
(Winner announced Friday)
20s
My biggest stressor would probably be striving to be a great wife. We were married a year ago and it’s been an amazing journey so far, I’ve learned a lot along the way, but when I fail it’s stressful. Sounds like a great book!
being in my late 30′s now, I wish I could tell my 20 something self to just relax and enjoy! I spent so much of my time worrying about whether I would find a spouse, etc. and I should have just trusted God to know what was best for me!
From a “30+” gal: Take your time, learn patience, and don’t “settle” for anything or anyone. God has wonderful blessings in store for each of his daughters. We find ourselves in a rush wanting for things (or people) to happen immediately. We get impatient for answers, impatient in our loneliness, we even get impatient waiting in line for the microwave at work to quickly grab a bite to eat so we can get back to work! God wants us to wait patiently for Him and to rest in Him. Remember to slow down enough to find rest in Him each day and to be patient enough (especially in those big decisions) to make sure all you do is in His Will. He will bless you for your patience.
)
I’m in my 20′s
My biggest stressors right now are money and balance. Between being a wife, ministry, kids, and everything else balance can be tough.
Sounds like a fabulous book.
“slightly older girlfriends”
It doesnt necessarily get easier just becasue you get slightly older. I still struggle with pressures of life, pressures of body image, and the only stress reliever that is a complete is allowing the Lord to give me the strength I need to get thru those things. Placing Christ, where He truely belongs, at the center of my life is key.
Valerie
You know, I am 37 now. I have been married 16 years, have 6 children, and weigh 15 pounds more than I did in my 20′s. But, even though I am aging; baby belly, gray hairs, everything settling south…. Being in the mid 30′s is not nearly as much a drag as I would have envisioned at 22. I don’t stress about appearing successful to the world. I can’t afford to obsess about my body image, & I don’t get mad everytime my sweet hubby leaves something on the counter… (what does a box on the counter matter in the grand scheme of things when I consider the mountains of laundry and dishes in the sink!
So, yes, this book is perfect for our 20′s crowd! If I could have a redo, I’d just spend more time memorizing God’s word and visiting the hurting. While I had time to focus on my spiritual growth.
In my 30′s now, I wish I could tell myself back in 20′s that I should wait longer for God’s answer. Perhaps if I did then I would have seen HIS blessings now.
I’m from the 30+ gals and the one piece of advice I would give myself would be to place God at the center of your life girl and give him all your worries and cares. With God anything and everything is possible but without God nothing is possible. The other piece of advice I would offer myself would be to not worry about tomorrow, but focus on today as today is a wonderful day that God has given to us to rejoice in. Blessings to you!!!!
JI can so vividly recall many stressors during my early married life. I married at 17 so you can see that a lot of change had to take place in my life quickly. Thank God He saw me through it. One word of advice I would give to younger women is that when you have children, take advantage of every moment you can have with your child. I worked when both of my children were small. It was very stressful in that my husband’s job required him to travel a lot so he was not usually at home during the day. Looking back, I wish I had paid less attention to housekeeping, laundry needs etc. and spent more time with my children. If there is any way that a young mother can stay home with her children, I strongly advise her to. They grow up so fast. Thanks for allowing me to enter for the book drawing. It sounds like something I would certainly enjoy.
I am 33 with 9 children & I would tell my yonger self to find my worth in God not in this world as I had tried to do in my 20′s.
20′s- my biggest stressor is my own fault, I am trying to work full time to support our family of seven, go to school full time so med school is not so far off in the distance, and be mom, wife and active church member! Most days I hit the bed at 8 (as soon as I tuck the kids in) and do not want to get up the next day. Thanks for writing on this topic, it is much needed!
Hugs, Jennifer
My biggest stressor so far has been learning to love myself (inside and out). I am learning to see myself through gods eyes rather than my own. There are still days I struggle with this. But with Gods help I know I can conquer it!
What I tell my 20 year old daughter is to WAIT on the LORD. Look to Him first, and everything else will fall into place. Not waiting for Gods timing leads to regret.
Oh if I could give my 20 year old self some advice it would be to really understand that God is the love of my life and to not look for a man to fill that God shaped space in my heart.
This 41-year-old woman would tell her 20-something self to cling tightly to God and RELAX!
In my 40?s now, I wish I could of learned back in my 20?s How to wait longer for God’s answer. (That’s something I’m learning Now)
At 60+ I would tell my 20 self to listen to the Christians and visit their church. And then to wait on God to guide your steps and not rush each step. He knows your gifts and who your spouse will be if you are to marry, so do not settle for anyone less than one who love Jesus more than you.
What a great question. I’m in my 30′s and there’s so much I would go back and tell my 20-something self if I could. I think most importantly, I would share that so much of what seems
“big” now won’t even be memorable in a few years and it’s good to try and take the long-view.
30s…..but knocking on 40s door!
I guess my piece of advice would be to enjoy where you are at and not get caught up in what
others think. Always remember that you are working for eternity and christs glory!
I would tell my almost 20something daughter that the most important thing to think about at this point is life is her future regarding her relationship with Christ. I see her not making that a priority now (as I did then) and wish that she would see the error of her choice now instead of later!!
I am well over 30, I would go back and tell myself not to compare myself to others. To look to Jesus for my approval, not to others. To trust Him in all areas of my life.
The one thing I would tell my younger self is that it isn’t necessary to compare yourself to other wives and think that you are less beautiful or that you have to do everything they do just to prove you love your husband. He loves you for who you are and the way you love him back, not because you can accomplish more than all the other wives you know AND he doesn’t want you to look like all the other wives, he wants you to be the person he married – beautiful inside first which makes you beautiful outside because you glow with the love of God.
50′s.. don’t believe other peoples opinions of you is who you are, and don’t assume people don’t like you. Just don’t assume!!
Mid 40′s
Do NOT listen to the inner voice that does not love you as much as God does! Learn how much God loves you so you can love others more richly.
If I could go back and re-do my twenties it would be not to worry myself about what other’s thought about me, that is their problem and not mine.
Get rid of the belief that I have to do everything perfectly.
30s
If I could go back to my 20s, I will tell myself to slow down and not rush life. So many young girls in today’s society want to grow up, get married, and have babies right out of highschool. Enjoy life; keep your eyes toward God’s goodness and don’t settle for what everyone esle is doing. Make a point to live life and not let life live me.
I am 52 and have been married for 21 years. If you do the math, I did not get married until I was 31. I accepted the Lord and started praying for a Godly husband when I was 19. I did not meet him until I was 30. Waiting on the Lord is very hard but very worth it. We have the relationship the many women dream of. It is far from story book perfect; there have been health issues, layoffs, money issues, life stuff, etc., you get the picture. But through it all we are side by side as a couple. Wait for God’s best in your husband, don’t give in and think because He is taking too long that there isn’t someone for you.
Oh, how I would love to go back to my 20s and tell myself to not waste my time on the boys that I’m physically attracted to and instead look for the good guy. I spent my 20s looking for the wrong type of guy, and now that I’m in my mid-30s and ready for the nice guy, there aren’t any single ones left!
I am 29, so I will answer both. The hardest parts of my twenties were the big decisions and changes I made. Getting married, having children, staying home with my Kiddos, changing from my single friends group to the play group with other mommies. I absolutely love my life, but sometimes transitions and changes can be very difficult to adjust and grow through.
As for what I would tell my twenty something self: don’t worry about what other people think, and don’t try to fit in to the world. God is waiting for you to allow him to transform you into who he wants you to be…and it is WAY BETTER than anything the world can offer
I am not 20 something. I am the mom of one 20 something and 2 daughters that are not close behind. My biggest advise I would give myself and I try to let them know. God is in control and you have time to take it easy on yourself. I try to insist that the girls take one summer off from working before going full bore into adulthood. I wasn’t able to do that for my 21 year old, but God is doing it to her. She has a job when school starts, but has not been able to get a summer job. God has provided through her church and she is looking up for God’s protection, provision and presence in her life.
So, My advise is to the young me: Let God be your provider, protector and feel his presence in your life before you attach yourself to a man for life.
Love Me
If I get the book I will read it and give it to My girls.
Oh, I would love to receive this book. I have a daughter almost 25 years (next week). Many struggles in her life. Some coming to a peak as we speak. I have returned to counseling myself, so I can be a Godly influence, instead of a stressed out mess! Due to her many poor life choices.?.
I am only two years away from 40, so I would say that I wish I had known in my 20′s that it was okay to not have my life all figured out!
I’m 60! I would tell myself at 20 or my daughter, at 26, to bring all your concerns to God in prayer and trust Him with your life. I would also say not to give attention to what people think of me, only what God thinks. He knows me best and knows what’s best for me. He’ll tell you if you ask Him!
I am an older girlfriend (42 to be exact)…if I could go back in time and talk to myself when I was 20ish…I would tell Robin to spend time in God’s word, don’t worry about having a perfectly clean house, spend time with friends and family for they may disappear quickly, listen to the older generation and take in their wise wisdom, don’t spend every dime you have trying to keep up with the neighbors next door and simply be yourself. God made Robin in His image and wants me to be happy and love Him and myself for who I am. I am trying to take this advice now before it is too late. May you have a blessed day filled with sunshine and laughter….
Smiles & Blessings,
Robin
I am 48 My #1 piece of advice for my young self would be…When you just attend church and listen to what someone else has learned from the Bible it is like a glass of milk when you need steak and potatoes! You will be satisfied when you open up God’s word for yourself. He will come and meet you there. Oh and DON’T be afraid to say to God, “What does that mean? I’ve never heard that before!” Keep asking, seeking and knocking He will open the door.
(Not available then…but I love BibleGateway.com to read the Word online, my Strongs KJV (free iPhone app by Brian T. Webb) and my YouVersion (free iPhone app with audio of the Word I listen when I walk, travel, can’t sleep, etc).
I would tell my twenty-something self to just live life and don’t worry about the current situation. God’s got it handled and everything is on a need-to-know basis…He’ll let you know when He thinks you need to know!
I would tell the 20 something me to quit it with the sex out of marriage. Nothing, and I mean nothing, makes it worth it and the right guy is deserving of more than just that anyway. Lawdy, the stuff I would tell me!
Pray continually. See myself as Christ sees me. I am more comfortable in my skin than I was in my 20s. That is a good thing!!!!!
Stop trying to plan everything out and enjoy each gift that God has given. It WILL be okay.
Looking back, I would make sure I only dated committed Christians, and that would mean to only marry a committed Christian.
Instead of looking outside at what everyone else is doing/ saying/ wearing/ Use these fresh single years to focus on what’s truly important – your relationship with Christ” and everything else will fall into place in God’s timing!
My biggest stressor is balancing work, family, and ministry! I’m tugged in so many directions and am continually working on boundaries! However, I will be 30 next week (my next biggest stressor of my 20′s), so I’ll also share some advice for my 20-something self – don’t rush life!
One thing – Delight yourself in the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart. Ps37:4
I am in my mid 20s. My main stressors are: keeping a good home while still working 40 hours a week and not letting work take a toll on me. Then there comes the pressure of being model picture perfect… the body, the clothes, the make-up…….
I am in my 40s and the piece of advice I would give myself is…….my family is my work and my ministry.
I would give myself advice that I need to give Jesus my life and my family and follow Him completely each day. He gave me unconditional love and that is what I should have been doing years ago with my family. It has taken over 20 years to make me realize how hypocritical I have been living my “Christian” life.
I’m in the *above* category. I want to encourage women of any age to enjoy these years and not just look ahead to the job, the man, the kids, etc… Enjoy just being who God made us to be and to wait more upon Him, not *rush* through your days.
The one piece of advice I would give to my twenty-something self is this: “You’re not fat, so quit worrying about it and enjoy your life!!”
I wished I had been plugged into a Women’s Bible Study. I slacked accountability!!!
20′s
I would have to say that my biggest stressers are money, kids, time managment and trying to be a Proverbs wife. I would hope that when I’m in my 30′s that I have a wonderful relationship with God and that i’m a great wife and mother.
I am about 8 months and 1 week away from 40. If I could go back and give myself advice I would tell myself;
Everyone makes mistakes! Just because you have strayed far from the straight and narrow doesn’t mean that God won’t forgive you and accept you into His loving arms! Run straight to Him with everything………..He will NEVER fail you!
I just turned 28 today and I would have to say my biggest stresser is learning how to become more budget minded so that I can continue to be a stay at home momma.
Love “YOU” Afterall HE made you!
In my 20′s- My biggest stressor now is the patience to wait for God’s timing in everything! In every area of my life and not to have any doubts about His plans that he has for me.
I am 50, so here’s my advise to me in my 20′s. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are just figuring it all out. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. Don’t be so afraid of life that you forget to live it. All you have to be is who God made you to be.