Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones: Spiritual Answers to Psychological Questions

by Benedict J. Groeschel

Therapeutic meditations that show how human weakness can be changed by grace, prayer, insight, and choice into stepping stones on the road to God. †

Genres: Psychology, Religion, Catholic, Christian, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Faith

169 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1987

About the author

Benedict Joseph Groeschel, C.F.R. (July 23, 1933 – October 3, 2014) was an American Franciscan friar, Catholic priest, retreat master, author, psychologist, activist and television host. He hosted the television talk program Sunday Night Prime broadcast on the Eternal Word Television Network as well as several serial religious specials. He founded the Office for Spiritual Development for the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. He was Associate Director of the Trinity Retreat House for clergy and executive director of St. Francis House. He was professor of pastoral psychology at St. Joseph's Seminary in New York and an adjunct professor at the Institute for Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia. He was one of the founders of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and among his close friends were Mother Teresa, Mother Angelica and Alice von Hildebrand.

Reviews

[Douglas Bienert]

Fantastic book. Great reading for Lent or when some personal spiritual introspection is needed.

[Teraesia]

Táto knižka je fakt duchovný banger, zvýrazňujem každú druhú vetu. Tak prakticky písané a trefné veci som ešte od žiadneho duchovného nečítala. Triafa do čierneho a vysvetľuje veci na duchovnej aj psychologickej báze. Nerobí z kresťanov hrdinov, sme ako každý iný človek so svojimi ťažkosťami. Necítim z tejto knihy duchovný nátlak, pocity viny, ako na nejakých kázňach. Ten kňaz si zažil to, čo my všetci a z jeho slov srší porozumenie. Odporúčam každému, kto je v srdci zmätený a nevie, ako reagovať na tento svet a na seba samého.

[J.]

The Book is a worthwhile read, while I was looking for something more in-depth this is a good general read as we encounter the varied states and feelings we experience throughout life. Each Chapter is organized essentially by something that is Killing To The Soul, Something Negative but Necessarily Lethal to the Soul, and then Something More Positive to the Life of the Soul. As the book promises though one can turn that which is Killing to the Soul (Stumbling Blocks) into Stepping Stones of a better life.

[Zrinka Šim]

Great book, you can learn a lot from it. Also, you can find an answers when you're not feeling good, maybe even calm down. It has a lot of stories about saints and people so you can relate to them and find out that everyone has the same problems. On easy way explains how your problems can be turned into your strenght

[Lindsay Winker]

I skimmed this, and it was okay. I was looking for more practical spiritual advice about the intersection between faith and psychology. It was more of a collection of reflections and stories than actual tips. I'll keep searching.

[Hannah]

I finished this one quite fast. The parallels between spirituality and mental health always fascinate me. It is definitely simple language, not too much theological jargon. I wish more people knew of the parallels!

[Dariyn Campbell]

good for anyone interested in being a more whole human being......
father groeschel doesnt preach ....he teaches....by using real people and their life stories....
anyone can relate....and may help on this journey of life

[J Crossley]

Benedict Groeschel looks at common areas in which we sin and shows us that we can choose to see those areas as stumbling blocks, or, we can use them as stepping stones to become closer to God.