Relaxed - by Megan Fate Marshman (Paperback)

About the Book

Is it possible to live with peace and purpose, even amid the stresses of life? In Relaxed, Megan Fate Marshman calls us to stop trying to 'figure it all out' and instead cultivate a relaxed, intimate relationship with a loving and forgiving God--who is not worried about a thing.

Book Synopsis

We often try to do a lot for God--without him. Relaxed is a call to let go of spiritual performance, reject our cultural tendency to live under pressure, and find freedom to walk with God and toward God, one gentle step at a time.

Jesus was never in a hurry to be anywhere other than where he was, trusting and obeying his Father. Could the same be said of us? We long to know peace, purpose, and contentment, but life's stresses, the world's discouragements, and our own striving for growth get in the way.

In Relaxed, pastor and teacher Megan Fate Marshman explores what it means to set aside our addiction to trying to figure everything out and relish a slower, compelling, powerful, and relaxed life with God. As Megan takes us word by word through Proverbs 3:5-6, she helps us discover:

• The joy of a continual, intimate relationship with God
• What God calls us to do with the burden of shame and guilt
• What it looks like to be relaxed in the midst of grief, financial stress, mistakes, and fatigue
• The freedom and forgiveness of being found "in Christ"
• How to incorporate rhythms of walking with God into our everyday routines

God never intended for us to be in control. As we lean away from our own understanding and into an intentionally relaxed spiritual life, we join Jesus in trusting a God who knows what he is doing--and isn't worried about a thing.

Review Quotes

Finally! In our culture dominated by hurry, busyness, and noise, someone took the time to lead us step-by-step into the freedom of Jesus' easy yoke and light burden, and not just give us more verses about it to put on another coffee mug.--Chris Brown, lead pastor, North Coast Church

If there's something we could all use a bit more of, it's not just rest, it's resting God's way. With Relaxed, Megan takes us on a journey that leads us all beside stiller waters, where the restorer of our souls meets us every time.--Preston Morrison, lead pastor, Pillar Church

In a hurried, frantic, do-it-yourself, and count-on-yourself world, this book is a powerful reminder of Jesus' example to slow down, be present, and lead at Jesus' pace.--Brad Lomenick, former president, Catalyst; author, H3 Leadership and The Catalyst Leader

In a world full of distractions, this book is a gentle reminder from a trusted friend to take a deep and courageous breath when the wind has been knocked out of you, get your feet reset, and lean back into the strong arms of Jesus.--Bob Goff, author, Love Does, Everybody Always, Dream Big, Undistracted; sweet Maria Goff's husband; Megan's good friend; chief balloon inflator at Love Does

In a world where anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and uncertainty swirl around us like an unrelenting fog in stormy seas, Megan artfully points us back to our one true source of hope and direction: Jesus.--Brian Wurzell, pastor of creative programming, Passion City Church and Passion Conferences

In her compelling, open-hearted style, Megan Fate Marshman takes us on a journey toward peace in our anxious age. Relaxed is a book that surprises, comforts, challenges, and inspires. It's a life-changing read.--Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, author; speaker; theologian; honorary lecturer, Divinity University of Aberdeen

Megan is the epitome of relaxed, California cool, but it's clearly Christ in her that has brought the kind of peace that transcends the deepest losses. Her transformational words, hard won and true, are an invitation to receive the rest and hope and joy available when we finally let God lead us through life's good/hard dance.--Katherine Wolf, author, Treasures in the Dark, Suffer Strong, and Hope Heals

Megan Fate Marshman is one of the most invigorating people I've ever been around--bright, witty, winsome, wise. But her vigor has not come cheaply. Hers is not the thin optimism of the unbereaved. Megan has learned to trust Jesus through terrifying trials. And in her new book, Relaxed, she teaches us to do the same. This book is dripping with shalom.--Daniel Grothe, pastor; author, The Power of Place

Megan Marshman has a unique ability to cut to the heart of the matter with the most poignant truth, but in a way that feels like salve on burn wounds. Megan shares candidly about her own experience of striving for needlessness and the rest and freedom that come from learning to trust God with all our hearts. We all need this message in this loud, chaotic, independent world.--Dave Dummitt, senior pastor, Willow Creek Community Church

Relaxed is a tender, vulnerable book from a woman surprised by one of life's most painful losses, yet it is not a grief book. Megan Fate Marshman's husband, Randy, died unexpectedly in 2021, and the book is infused with Randy's wisdom, personality, walk with God, love for Megan and their boys, strength, and character, yet it is not about Randy either. This is a book about learning to fully trust God with everything we have and are, and how to relax into all of the moments of the life God gives us.--Kay Warren, cofounder, Saddleback Church

There are few leaders I respect more than Megan. Her choice to live out this Jesus faith, in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances, gives an authority to the words she writes. Rest and relaxing come only from trusting God, and we need that more than ever! I'm so thankful to know Megan and for this incredible work.--Tyler Reagin, leadership author; speaker; cofounder, The 10TEN Project