Resilient Life : You Can Move Ahead No Matter What

by MacDonald, Gordon

• ISBN13: 9780785271512
• ISBN10: 0785271511
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-01-07
• Publisher: Harpercollins Christian Pub

Summary

At a young age, Gordon MacDonald recognized that he had inherited a "quitter's gene," and because of this-and an influential track coach-he began a lifelong quest for answers.  "Why," he had to ask, "do some people finish what they start, persevere in moments of adversity, push themselves in the direction of their potential, and often make their greatest contributions in the latter half of life?  Why do others expect to retire from life when they reach their senior years?"  The key element in those who don't quit is resilience. Those who have it, MacDonald insists, have gathered all the lessons from life-successes and failures-to build a foundation of strength and character, preparing them to face anything.Using examples from the Bible, from his own life, and from the lives of contemporary people, MacDonald identifies the characteristics of resilience, leading readers through the self-assessment needed to develop them. The journey is demanding and humbling, he reminds us, but the rewards of living well are immeasurable.

Table of Contents

A Note from Gordon MacDonald	vii
Introduction	ix
I Resilient People are Committed to Finishing Strong
Quitting Is Not an Option	1	(7)
``Walking'' Is Unthinkable	8	(7)
Building Resilience Is a Daily Pursuit	15	(10)
The Face of Aimlessness	25	(5)
The Face of a Champion	30	(11)
II Resilient People Run Inspired by a Big-Picture View of Life
Resilient People Have a Sense of Life-Direction	41	(6)
Resilient People Foresee the Great Questions of Life's Passage	47	(12)
Resilient People Cultivate Christian Character	59	(8)
Resilient People Listen for a Call from God	67	(10)
Resilient People Are Confident in Their Giftedness	77	(7)
Resilient People Live Generous Lives	84	(13)
III Resilient People Run Free of the Weight of the Past
Resilient People Understand the Importance of Repairing the Past	97	(8)
Resilient People Respect the Power of Memory	105	(11)
Resilient People Practice Repentance	116	(8)
Resilient People Are Quick to Forgive	124	(7)
Resilient People Overflow with Gratitude	131	(5)
Resilient People Squeeze the Past for All Its Wisdom	136	(11)
IV Resilient People Train to Go the Distance
Resilient People Prepare Themselves for the ``Emergencies'' of Life	147	(8)
Resilient People Know Exactly What Has to Be Accomplished	155	(7)
Resilient People Keep Themselves Physically Fit	162	(6)
Resilient People Grow Their Minds	168	(5)
Resilient People Harness Their Emotions	173	(9)
Resilient People Trim Their Egos	182	(7)
Resilient People Open Their Hearts to the Presence of God	189	(14)
V Resilient People Run in the Company of a ``Happy Few''
The Value of Lingering	203	(8)
The Peril of the Solitary Life	211	(7)
How Friendship Works	218	(8)
There Are Certain People	226	(13)
Epilogue	239	(2)
Notes	241	(4)
About the Author	245