Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones: Spiritual Answers to Psychological Questions

I enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and pragmatic. A very down to earth understanding of human beings and their angst.

I am no fan of self-help books, but when I saw it was written by Fr. Benedict Groeschel I hastened to buy it. This book is a treasure! I enjoyed it and got more out of it than even his most famous book Arise From Darkness. Each chapter is written in a conversational way, addressing a set of issues that I think everyone faces at one time or another. The chapter covering the Love of God treats not only that we love God but also knowing and accepting on a deep level that God loves us. That may sound like a simple fact that everyone of faith knows, but this chapter made me truly realize the depth of His love. All this ties directly into forgiveness and charity. My own experience was remarkable: I started each chapter thinking, "This doesn't apply to me at all." Then something in it would hit me squarely between the eyes. There are great insights in each chapter, as well as sound, step-by-step advice on how to overcome common problems. Aside from the rich content, Fr. Groeschel's writing style is very captivating. His New York sense of humor made me homesick, and I found myself smiling at many of his quips (and seeing myself in the picture all too often)! Here is one example I particularly loved: "Pride sneaks down into the bottom of our soul. It makes us believe that we are something more than a creature. Pride makes us demand the things that are God's. It says, 'I will not serve,' or, 'I will serve, but only under these circumstances,' or, 'I am willing to do everything you want, God, but could I make a suggestion? I'll carry the cross, but preferably something with wheels on one end, and a nice little shoulder pad.'" And so, I heartily recommend this book for anyone and everyone. It's disarmingly straightforward and very much on target. I would suggest reading this book first, if you haven't ever read anything by Fr. Groeschel. Or, if you've read a great deal of his work but missed this earlier book, be sure not to pass it up--again I say it is a treaure!

Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, a Franciscan friar and author of "The Courage to be Chaste", attempts to give some spiritual answers to a few psychological issues. His basic thesis is that human psychological situations often considered stumbling blocks, can be changed into stepping-stones on the road to holiness. Our change of attitudes combined with Divine grace could be the means of change. He illustrates it with examples from real life situations through his personal experience of working as a psychologist and a spiritual director. It is a valuable book for anyone struggling with interior personal obstacles to growth in holiness.

Many folks get the short end of things, born into a bad home, or with a health problem. Latter we can develop addictions or perhaps other serious psychological problems.A simple answer, the traditional one, is that God knows what is best for us and our situation is what is best for our salvation. So, be happy in you handicap or addiction and go home?Groeschel is far more healthy and holistic that that. Folks with big problems when they are young can quickly develop a host of related problems and even resentment toward God. Groeschel is faithful to, and integrates his two disciplines very well. Both his understanding of the wounded heart/mind and the understanding of the wounded soul. He uses experience of both together to help heal the reader when an emphasis on either alone would be ineffective. It is unique and powerful healing program that neither shirks the spiritual or psychological aspects but uses robust understanding of both to bring healing and wholeness to those who may feel overwhelmed. Adult children of abuse, twelve steppers, those with health problems or even those who just do feel like they fit in will find in this book easy to follow step-by-step path to wholeness. Like all of Groeschel's books they transcend his Catholic Tradition, they are valuable tools for all looking for healing no matter what their background.I would recommend this book not only for readers looking to help them selves but also those who minister to or work with clients with serious problems. Its complete approach is the best thing out there to help the "wounded."