Adversity comes to all of us. It's an unwelcome visitor. It's intrusive. We try to ignore it. We run from it. We turn from it like a cold, harsh wind chafing our faces. Yet, inevitably we must come to embrace difficulties for they are part and parcel of God's ultimate design for our lives. The central thesis is that we can grow strong through adversity. Just as weight-lifters enlarge their muscles through resistance training, our faith becomes sturdy and healthy as we permit hardships to build us up rather than tear us down. Trauma, transition, illness and persecution then serve not to defeat us but to shape us into persons of depth and godly character. Profit from Your Losses is a book of hope. Read it to help yourself or to assist others in times of difficulty. A helpful discussion guide is included for group study. Dr. Terry W. Swan is Professor of Psychology and Religion and Dean of the Chapel at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky. He is the author of twenty books including Soul Explorers: An Invitation to the Called Life, also by Guardian Books.