Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back: Persevering Through Pressure

by Charles R. Swindoll

Overview

Charles Swindoll reminds readers that our problems are not solved by simple answers or all-too-easy cliches. Instead, he offers practical ways to walk with God through the realities of life-including times of fear, stress, anger and temptation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780849940989
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	02/18/1998
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.57(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. Since 1998, he has served as the founding pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.

Table of Contents

	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