9/10 (excellent): A very helpful book that deals with the frequent need to slow down in order (perhaps) to achieve more, or certainly to live a more sustainable pace. It will be helpful for any Christian men, and particularly those in ministry, who feel there aren’t enough hours in the day. The book is aimed at men — there’s a significant emphasis on the work place, and most of the illustrations are on traditionally masculine themes. A companion volume is aimed more at women. ( )

A very practical book for middle aged pastors and Christian men. We don’t have to live on the fringes of burn out. The grace paced life is doable, but we need these reminders. I highly recommend this book to my pastor friends. ( )

Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture is one of the most helpful Christian living books I’ve read in a long time. David Murray has experienced burnout in his pastoral life to the point of affecting his health. He brings a wealth of wisdom to the subject. This book isn’t just for pastors. It’s valuable for all Christians who feel worn down and exhausted by life.

Murray structures the book around the concept of taking your car to the garage. Each chapter is a “repair bay.” Murray quotes Brady Boyd from Addicted to Busy , “Ultimately, every problem I see in every person I know is a problem of moving too fast for too long in too many aspects of life.” Murray is not calling for Christians to drop out of service and kick their feet up. He is calling for them to take care of themselves, so that they can serve well.

Murray says that many people’s fundamental and foundational error is we forget a fundamental and foundational truth—God is our Creator. He writes:

Lots of people call God Creator, but live like evolutionists. It’s as if life is about the survival of the fittest rather than about living like a dependent creature—trusting or Creator rather than ourselves—and according to our Maker’s instructions.

Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture is well researched. Murray pulls valuable insight from a variety of sources, but frames it all with scripture and God’s instruction for how we are to take care of ourselves. I highly recommend this book and look forward to follow-up he is writing with his wife. ( )