Help, I’m Hurting: Finding Meaning, Hope and Happiness in the Words of Jesus. Answering the question “What is man that you are mindful of him---.“ (Ps. 8:5) Sometimes we believe, but it does not seem to be enough. No matter what we do, spiritual peace seems to evade us, leaving us feeling lost, alone, and ineffective in our Christian walk. But, with guidance, we will learn that we are never alone. In Help, I’m Hurting, author William D. Oswalt takes what he has learned in many years of study and helping others to help readers grow in their knowledge of God that results in a faith that guarantees peace and joy in this lifetime and treasures in the future Kingdom of Heaven. Oswalt has come to realize that all spiritual problems result from a person’s inadequate view of eternal security and significance. Using Jesus Christ’s promise in each beatitude—“Blessed” or “Happy” are those who do these things—Oswalt helps readers move from spiritual immaturity to spiritual maturity. Oswalt’s Help, I’m Hurting reminds us that Jesus gives us a foolproof process that promises peace and happiness. It offers a practical guide that can supply you with the material you need to achieve a better understanding of and appreciation for what God has provide for you. (Eph. 2:10)

Dr. Bill has developed this workbook to help a person work through a process, based on the Beatitudes promising inner peace and happiness to those who will do these things. He has come to realize that all spiritual problems including marriage, family, anger, un-forgiveness, depression, anxiety etc are a result of a persons inadequate view of eternal security and significance. He bases this on Jesus Christ’ promise in each beatitude; “Blessed” or “Happy” are those who do these things. Dr. Bill helps a person move from spiritual immaturity (no security or significance) to spiritual maturity (eternal security and significance.). Problems were evident in the Church at Corinth. Paul was very troubled when he saw the division and conflicts they were experiencing (1 Cor. 1:1-31), and those divisions were not unlike those experienced by most churches today, even evangelical conservatives. What is the bottom line problem? I am afraid we have lost sight of some fundamental principles regarding Christ’s perfecting of His Body the Church. The Church is not a place for perfect people. It is a hospital where sick people come to get well. The late Dr. J. Vernon McGee used to say, “There is no perfect Church! If you find one don’t join it. You will ruin it.” The church is a place where members minister to members in their gifted abilities in order that they keep strong to reach out to those in the world who are sick and dying (1 Cor. 12:1-30). When a church member is not fulfilled (insecurity and insignificance) he will drift away and find fulfillment in some other way. This is where the gifts of the body come to his rescue. Discipleship does not come naturally. It is a spiritual growth process, and Jesus is the disciple-maker. To be disciples indeed, we must be participators with Christ. A disciple is always identified with a disciple-maker. The disciples of Socrates and Plato were among the first to be called disciples (mathetes) but they were natural men. They followed the teachings or philosophies of their teacher or disciple-maker. What we are talking about is a supernatural task—a new spiritual philosophy—which can only be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Feed My lambs, tend My sheep, feed My sheep” (Jn. 21:15-17). These three imperatives demand urgency. They thrive on control of the Spirit. They require teaching and involve suffering. One of the reasons discipleship is not being accomplished is because we have tried to do it naturally. We need to discern how Jesus went about making disciples. He called out at least four of His chosen disciples in chapter four then in chapter five the Scripture says: “And seeing the multitude He went upon a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them saying; ”Blessed (or happy) are the poor in spirit,------- ” Here He gives a basic outline for a Discipleship Process. In fact the rest of the Sermon on the Mount is a development of each of the levels mentioned in the Beatitudes.

After serving with the US Air Force Medical Service, Bill Oswalt earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in ministry from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is past president of Alpha-Omega Inc., a ministry providing biblical counseling to churches. He last served as a discipleship counselor with Northeast Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. Now semi-retired in Thornton, TX with his wife Iris the mother of six boys (grown and gone). He is presently developing a workbook on spiritual giftedness.