Everyday Challenges
Many missionaries move from time-oriented cultures to event-oriented ones. The chapter about managing time in a culture where events are more important will help make this change. Most people today expect culture shock during those first few months after the honeymoon period is over, but many are not prepared for the lasting culture stress that remains years later. Although they may not have more friends and family die than do other people, missionaries experience much more loss of many other types so they tend to face more grief over these other losses.
Some missionaries feel guilty over a variety of things so they need to distinguish between feeling guilty and being guilty as well as to know what to do in each case. Since the time of Jonah, missionaries have felt anger, a human emotion. The chapter about anger will help missionaries know how to respond to that anger. Under stress in other cultures missionaries often have problems sleeping. The chapter about sleep gives many tips on how to get restful sleep.