Controlling Anger: Responding Constructively When Life Goes Wrong

CCEF Minibooks

by David A. Powlison, Jeff Moon (Narrator)

What makes you angry? Sometimes it's small traffic jams, a waiter's mistake, or a friend's inattention. And sometimes it's big betrayal, injustice, meanness, violence, oppression, selfishness, and lying. How do you deal with your anger? Do you dump it on those around you? Or stuff it deep inside?

David Powlison surprises us with the news that God is angry too, but his anger is expressed constructively, by giving his own Son, Jesus Christ, to right what's wrong with this world. Learn the five questions to ask yourself that will help you express your anger God's way in the difficult situations and relationships you face every day.

Genres: Counselling, Theology

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

David Powlison, MDiv, PhD, (1949–2019) was a teacher, counselor, and the executive director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He wrote many books and minibooks, including Speaking Truth in Love, Seeing with New Eyes, Good and Angry, Making All Things New, God's Grace in Your Suffering, Safe and Sound, and Take Heart. David was also the editor of The Journal of Biblical Counseling.

Reviews

[Miles Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short write up.

[John Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Powlison has a way of clearly applying the Bible's teaching about God and sanctification to issues like anger. I appreciate his mention of good and wrong anger. Although I wish he would have discussed God's (and Christ's) anger more that included examples like turning over the tables or God's wrath. Powlison provides 5 questions to help the reader notice their anger and grow in Christlikeness. I wish the questions included more discussion of meditating on the attributes of God and Jesus. Meditation on God and Christ's attributes and character is mentioned but it's not emphasized and could be missed or not given its proper attention by the reader. I realize it's a small booklet and there are only so many pages.

Overall, I think this booklet combined with Powlison's other booklet Anger: Escaping the Maze will be helpful to the person wanted to grow in Christ.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good short explanation of how to deal Biblically with anger. Recommended

[Sarah Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful and short book on identifying and controlling anger. This booklet is part of a Minibook series developed by CCEF which is the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation. These minibooks are between 20-25 pages but pack a ton of Biblical truth in.

David Powlison did a great job getting down to the nitty-gritty of anger, that it's a form of pride that says "I want my way right now" and "I have a better plan than God". Powlison then brings you to Ephesians and James to show how wrong this ungodly anger is. But he doesn't leave you there, he gives 5 practical steps in controlling and turning from anger.

A very helpful and short book on a topic we can pass off as just being irritable or moody or justify it in our own minds.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little book with a biblical approach to understanding what anger is and practical strategies for change.

[Justin Hullman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read. Great thoughts from Powlison. Love his insights. “Good and Angry” sent me to this book.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief, pastoral, practical. Whether for yourself or counselling others (my purpose currently) it's a helpful resource alongside maybe other more detailed books/help.

[CJ Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful analysis of what anger is, when it is good, when it goes bad, and how to overcome sinful anger. Doesn't provide tips and tricks for dealing with anger, but presents five questions to ask to help process anger and address it in a redemptive way.