The counsel of a friend : 12 ways to put your caring heart into action

內容簡介

Preface: The counsel of a friend -- Part 1. The willing heart : 1. But I don't know what to say! : The essential ingredients ; But I don't know what to say! ; Who am I to help anyone? ; Is it all right to admit "I don't know"? ; If I haven't had the same problem, can I help? ; How will I know what to do? ; Living in Him -- 2. Won't someone listen to me? : Foundations of listening ; The essential ingredients ; The Divine listener ; Will someone listen to me? -- 3. What if they won't change? : How to assess a desire for change ; What if you see no change? ; How to provide a climate for change ; How can I be honest with my friend without offending her? ; How do I leave the ultimate responsibility to God? -- 4. More what if's ... : How can I keep from giving too much? How do I keep my friend from becoming too dependent? ; What if my friend puts me on a pedestal? ; What if I overidentify with certain problems? ; How can I protect my time? ; What about promises? ; How do I accept gratitude? ; What about lending money and giving gifts? ; How will I know if my friend needs professional help? ; Other considerations ; Maintain good health habits Part 2. The helping heart : 5. Depression : Is your friend depressed? ; Types of depression ; Causes of depression ; What to do when someone is suicidal ; Ways to help ; The miracle of hope -- 6. Anger : What is anger? ; But I don't know why I'm angry -- I just am! ; Getting to the root ; Be angry and sin not ; Ways to help ; Acceptance -- 7. Fear and worry : The roots of fear and worry ; Ways to help ; After all else has been done, cast the care -- 8. Grief : What is grief? ; The stages of grief ; The importance of grieving ; The importance of ceremonies ; When grief becomes unhealthy ; Ways to help ; Ways to help a child ; The promises of God -- 9. Betrayal : What is betrayal? ; Why do people betray? ; Ways to help the one betrayed ; Ways to help the betrayer ; The process of restoration ; The blessing from betrayal -- 10. Abuse : What is abuse? ; The effects of abuse ; The issue of trust ; Ways to help someone who has been abused ; Ways to help someone who is abusing her children ; Ways to help someone who is being abused by a spouse ; The value of support groups ; And most important of all, point to God -- 11. Bitterness : What is bitterness? ; God's solution for bitterness ; Ways to help -- 12. Guilt : True guilt, false guilt, or regret? ; Characteristics of the guilty ; Ways to help ; Freedom from guilt -- 13. Self esteem : The deception ; The way to wholeness ; A right relationship with God ; God's answer to the self-esteem problem ; Ways to help ; The secret of self-esteem -- 14. Illness : Is sickness God's will? ; Hindrances to healing ; Ways to help ; True healing -- 15. Temptation : The temptations of Jesus ; The progression of a temptation ; Hindrances to resisting temptations ; What if your friend does not tell you that she is being tempted? ; Ways to help ; Stand firm with hope Part 3: The steadfast heart : 16. How to persevere through the problem : Count the cost ; Set short-term goals ; Learn from your mistakes ; Principles of perseverance ; Trust God with the outcome ; Eternal rewards -- 17. The dimension of spiritual warfare : Who is Satan? Who are evil spirits? ; How does Satan work? ; Can a Christian be possessed by Satan or evil spirits? ; How does Satan oppress Christians? ; The weapons of our warfare ; How to keep alert ; On the battlefield -- 18. The importance of celebration : Why is celebration important? ; When to celebrate ; Ways of celebration ; Celebrate! Celebrate!