|
Introduction |
xi |
| Chapter 1. |
Perseverance: Archaic Word of Relevance |
1 |
|
Realistic Expectations |
2 |
|
The Four Spiritual Flaws |
4 |
|
What Is Christian Maturity? |
6 |
| Part I |
External Pressures |
13 |
| Chapter 2. |
Misunderstanding: Paralyzing Sting of Humanity |
15 |
|
Analyzing Misunderstanding |
19 |
|
Illustrating Misunderstanding |
21 |
|
Understanding Misunderstanding |
23 |
|
Overcoming Misunderstanding |
28 |
| Chapter 3. |
Stress: Threatening Storm of Anxiety |
33 |
|
Analysis of Stress |
35 |
|
Units of Stress |
36 |
|
A Psalm for the Stressed |
38 |
|
Standing Fast |
45 |
|
My Stress--God's Strength |
51 |
| Chapter 4. |
Loss: Lonely Times of Crisis |
56 |
|
The Loss of Those You Love |
57 |
|
The Loss of Things You Love |
58 |
|
God's Great Goal |
70 |
|
The Right Perspective |
74 |
| Chapter 5. |
Impossibilities: Uncrossable Rivers of Life |
79 |
|
"Impossible" Scriptures |
80 |
|
One "Impossible" Event |
84 |
|
Releasing Our Grip |
96 |
|
Believing the Unbelievable |
100 |
| Chapter 6. |
Waiting: Lingering Test of Patience |
104 |
|
A Psalm Encouraging Patience |
108 |
|
Insight on Patience |
115 |
|
Benefit of Waiting |
117 |
| Chapter 7. |
Temptation: Vulnerable Flaw of Weakness |
121 |
|
Trials or Temptations? Knowing the Difference |
122 |
|
There Is a Simple Answer |
125 |
|
Four Facts About Temptation |
128 |
|
Practical Ways to Handle Temptations |
139 |
| Part II |
Internal Affairs |
155 |
| Chapter 8. |
Mistakes: Inevitable Marks of Imperfection |
157 |
|
Panic-Prompted Mistakes |
158 |
|
"Good-Intentioned" Mistakes |
161 |
|
Negligent Mistakes |
164 |
|
Unrestrained-Curiosity Mistakes |
166 |
|
Blind-Spot Mistakes |
167 |
|
A Psalm of Balm--for the Mistaken |
169 |
| Chapter 9. |
Inferiority: Contagious Plague of Self-Doubt |
178 |
|
Some Helpful Observations |
180 |
|
Three Biblical Candidates for an Inferiority Complex |
184 |
|
A Scriptural Viewpoint |
198 |
|
Beauty in the Body |
203 |
|
Usefulness in the Body |
204 |
|
A Prescription |
207 |
| Chapter 10. |
Fear: Fierce Grip of Panic |
212 |
|
Understanding Fear |
215 |
|
Overcoming Intimidation |
216 |
|
Maintaining Confidence |
221 |
|
Staying Balanced |
225 |
|
Releasing Fear's Fierce Grip |
226 |
| Chapter 11. |
Anger: Burning Fuse of Hostility |
232 |
|
What Is Anger? |
234 |
|
The Scriptures May Surprise You! |
235 |
|
When Is Anger Justified? |
241 |
|
Unjustified Anger |
251 |
|
Winning Over Anger |
262 |
| Chapter 12. |
Defection: Final Stage of Compromise |
268 |
|
An Expert on Defection |
272 |
|
Doomsday Declaration |
273 |
|
Five Signposts of Defection |
277 |
|
The Antidote |
290 |
|
A Final Warning |
292 |
|
Epilogue: Some Final Reflections on Persevering |
296 |
|
Notes |
301 |
