Getting Through the Tough Stuff: It's Always Something!

I highly recommend any of the work of Rev. Charles Swindoll. The Workbook for Chuck's book Getting Through the Tough Stuff is designed to be used with either the book or the audio tape by small study/sharing groups or individuals. It is easily understood and accessible to the beginning Christian or inquirer, yet has insightful questions that prompt meaningful discussion among serious seekers of Biblical application for daily life.

No one has impacted me more in the early years of my ministry like Chuck Swindoll. I read everything he wrote. He writes like a pastor who cares for his readers. His readers are like his congregants. This volume is no different. It reflects the heart of a pastor and the mind of a teacher. Buy it! It will help you through some tough stuff.

I've always liked Charles Swindoll's books. He writes in a conversational, warm style but uses a lot of biblical references and anecdotes from his personal life that resonate with me. He seems to be speaking my language and telling my life story with each book! By way of contraste, some contemporary Christian authors (such as Rob Bell, author of Velvet Elvis) gloss over the Bible (or outright undermine it) and offer nothing but more questions, doubts and concerns. (See my review of Velvet Elvis for more on that kind of Christian author's efforts to speak to a "new generation.") By way of contrast, Charles Swindoll attempts to answer questions and heal wounds. He's not divisive or offensive in his efforts, either. He seems to be a wise, compassionate man who truly cares about those in his church -- as well as those reading his books around the world. I've been through a few tough times in my life, and I usually gain strength by reading books like this one from Charles Swindoll. Thank you, Pastor Swindoll for doing so much to touch the lives of those around you.

Charles R. Swindoll has been through a lot of tough stuff. As a pastor, college chancellor, radio host and author, he has experienced firsthand many of the troubles that life has to offer. From "Anxiety" to "Temptation" and from "Confrontation" to "Shame," the fourteen topics he covers provide a model for the reader to use when life blindsides him. Thus it is with the authority that comes from experience that Dr. Swindoll generously offers to help those who are struggling with their own particular pile of tough stuff. GETTING THROUGH THE TOUGH STUFF explores two basic premises that are built on an underlying theme. First, if you are alive on this planet, you will have problems. The second premise is that God has provided us with the original self-help manual, the Bible. The underlying theme is the adequacy of God's love and grace to see us through even the toughest of stuff. Dr. Swindoll has the gift of knowledge when it comes to the Bible, and he deftly identifies the roots of our "troubles" as well as the solutions to them by referencing biblical stories and passages. In each short, focused chapter, even seasoned believers will wonder anew at the omniscience of God. He knew just what kind of problems we would face, how we would try to solve them according to the wisdom of the world, and how sadly we would fail. Then, as Dr. Swindoll demonstrates, God in His loving and benevolent way provided us with the wisdom of the ages if only we would use it --- not only when things get tough but even before they get tough. Often, when people have problems, they feel guilty and shamed or angry and resentful. But the problems themselves have been around since the beginning of time. And, more importantly, Jesus Himself experienced them. So when the Word of God offers answers, it can be trusted because the Word Himself did what His Father told Him to do...and it worked. We cannot be exactly like Jesus because, though He was tempted, He never sinned; often our problems are compounded because we do sin. Yet, through God's grace, the same solutions are available to us, and if we truly repent, we won't have to go through the same tough stuff again. GETTING THROUGH THE TOUGH STUFF is not a simple "take two verses and call me in the morning" book of platitudes. It provides biblical answers to contemporary problems in a loving and gentle way. Charles Swindoll is a man after God's own heart. --- Reviewed by Maggie Harding, a substance abuse counselor in Phoenix, AZ who wanted to be Brenda Starr before life intervened. She also reviews www.bookreporter.com and www.womenonwriting.com. To contact Maggie, e-mail [email protected].