Surviving in an Angry World: Finding Your Way to Personal Peace

by Charles F. Stanley

The premise of this book is that learning to let go of anger—and ultimately forgiving the offender—will transform the foundation of every kind of relationship we have. Stanley defines anger as "a strong feeling of intense displeasure, hostility, or indignation as a result of a real or an imagined threat or insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or towards someone who’s very important to you." Building on this defintion, Stanley...

1. Helps readers identify the signs of anger, so they can identify anger in themselves.

2. Reveals the far-reaching consequences of anger, which encompass the spiritual, emotional, and physical.

3. Teaches readers how to handle anger through thirteen concrete steps.

4. Walks readers through the steps to true forgiveness and the healing power it brings.

With compassion and a wealth of biblical understanding, Stanley explains that the measure of a person is "the size of thing that makes them angry." He goes on to distinguish between healthy and harmful anger and reminds us that "righteous indignation" is a divine emotion. However, he skillfully explains that misguided anger eats away at ourselves, our relationships with others, and our relationship with God. By helping readers look honestly at the source of their anger, he gently leads them to the ability to truly forgive and find the peace they seek.

Genres: Christian, Self Help, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Christianity, Inspirational, Relationships

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2010

About the author

Dr. Charles F. Stanley is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta, founder of In Touch Ministries, and a New York Times best-selling author who has written more than fifty books, and has sold more than nine million copies. He demonstrates a keen awareness of people's needs and provides Christ-centered, biblically-based principles for everyday life.

Charles Frazier Stanley was born September 25, 1932, in the small town of Dry Fork, Virginia. The only child of Charley and Rebecca Stanley, Charles came into the world during a time when the entire nation felt the grip of the Great Depression. To make matters worse, just nine months later, his father Charley died at the young age of 29.

However, Charles refused to let the Great Depression or the difficulties of his life define him. Instead, like his father and grandfather before him, he clung to God’s Word and took up the mantle to preach the gospel to whoever would listen.

Dr. Stanley’s motivation is best represented by the truth found in Acts 20:24, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God's mighty kindness and love.” This is because, as he says, “It is the Word of God and the work of God that changes people’s lives.”

Dr. Stanley’s teachings can be heard weekly at First Baptist Church Atlanta, daily on “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley” radio and television broadcasts on more than 2,800 stations around the world, on the Internet at intouch.org, through the In Touch Messenger, and in the monthly, award-winning In Touch magazine.

Reviews

[Chuck Claunch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book. It helped me a lot in terms of dealing with the anger issues I was having. If you're a Christian and ever find yourself having a short fuse, whether it's with loved ones or a stranger in traffic, this book will help you. Stanley is very organized in his approach to the various types of anger one can feel and the various methods to deal with it. I highly recommend this book!

[Cyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been such a helpful book.

The only minor point I had was the fact that it clings on to the bible. There is nothing wrong with that, don’t get me wrong. But it’s just not for me.

The questions at the end of each chapter urge you to think about yourself and evaluate, that was a good thing for me.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting from this book, and I truthfully had a hard time getting into it. I thought it was going to be about dealing with the stressors of the outside world. It was, however, an insightful book on the different sources and types of anger. If that is the topic you are looking for, then I would recommend this book to you.

[Suzanne]

Not being an "angry" person, I had a difficult time relating to a lot of this book. In my experiences, anger is difficult to come by. Some of us get hurt when we should get angry. Reading through this entire piece, I still never related to anger. The closest I could come was frustration, but that was still lacking. Without a foundation, I eventually put this book down and went on to the next one. It isn't the fault of the book, it's more my own personal lack of experience with knowing the true feeling of anger.

[Chris McGrath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems to be aimed primarily at people who don't have much experience with the Bible, as a lot of its information and advice is fairly remedial, though it does contain occasional snippets of wisdom that I'd not heard elsewhere. Not a great book, but not a waste of time either.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anger is a emotion that many feel, for many reasons and can affect many people if not treated. Charles F. Stanley goes deep into the issue in a biblical way to help us tackle it. Sometimes he is very blunt but most of the times there is more explaining to things with insight and care. This is a great book that manages to be very broad in its approach and get into a lot of facets. It makes the reader understand anger, how to manage and how to identify and get rid of it. Actually, on the whole one get enough of a picture to identify anger(you will try to self analyze as you read), but I would have liked a own chapter on it too(I would think all have some kind of anger, or even if one is unsure, a chapter on detection would be clarifying). It is slightly addressed in the last chapter. In dealing with anger Stanley also add a chapter on how to imprint character into children(but really, it can apply you yourself too) and how to keep calm during conflict.

Myself, I’m not a very angry person, but I find it good to investigate psychological issues nonetheless. This book made me go back to some of the events in life where I was angry or expressed/suppresses anger to re-evaluate my action and response. That is what a book like this should do. This book is not primarily for that(it’s more aimed toward current and deep rooted anger), but gives still good insight into past anger as well. It is also a more Christian and biblical approach rather than strictly psychological, which often seems like a weakness in books like this, even though it is based on a lifetime of experience. One the other side, it shows how deep the Bible goes on such matters and that it’s advice work and is still relevant. It’s worth a shot and a definitely recommended read if you need to take a sniff on the topic.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Charles Stanley books and this is a good read with the anger that you see in our world today. I also enjoy how Stanley weaves in his personal experiences with those he has counseled or even his own situations over the years with Bible verses setting out how to face your own anger or someone who you are around's anger.

This is really a handbook on the topic of anger. It covers the topic in all ways. How to deal with it and how to avoid it.

I have been lucky in that I haven't had to deal with anger a lot. Obviously everyone has to deal with some in there lives but I haven't been around someone who is angry on a regular basis. This book gives me ways to work with God to face those situations that are sure to come though.

[Mona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the cover a bit off putting, but the content is marvelous. Dealing with one's anger or dealing with people with whom we cross paths with every day. I would recommend this to anyone who deals with people, the public, or is in customer service.

[Sarah Nannette Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book on anger! Dr. Stanley encouraged me to ask God for His Grace in helping me to not get angry and forgive others , God and myself! Dr. Stanley brings you back to God and His Word and His principles that if we follow we will have peace and emotional health.

[Gregory Cope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Purchased at a store in California when he was doing a tour to promote it. Was able to meet him and get an autographed copy.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, very helpful.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I had higher hopes for this one. It wasn't a terrible book but I was just looking for more "survival skills". Although depending on the Holy Spirit is aways enough.

[Daniel Madderom · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but it lacked something that I can't put my finger on.

[Jennah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome book by Dr. Stanly! He helps you identify the source of anger that either you or those you know are experiencing. He teaches you the biblical path to forgiveness from those who have hurt you.

We live in a world that is filled with angry people. We all get angry and we must learn how to control that anger and Dr. Stanly uses scripture to help us. He clearly has so much wisdom and I learn a ton whenever I read his books.

This book will guide you through the process of finding the peace God wants you to experience through the chapters:

- Anger: The Good, the Bad, and the Destructive
- Anger's Impact on Us, Others, and God
- The Balm for Anger: Forgiveness
- Living with Angry People - or Not
- Establishing Peace in Yourself and Training Your Children in Love

There is SO much that you will learn and you won't regret reading it, I promise you that. I definitly recommend it!

[Woody · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wise and practical book steeped in Christian ideology about anger and how it seldom serves us except in fight or flight or in legitimate righteous indignation situations. In many ways, this book echoes the "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" books about the uselessness of getting angry over the daily doses of rude behavior that we all receive. Stanley believes that venting or having angry outbursts does not really get anger off one's chest, it just reinforces and retains the anger. He also advises that we avoid people with short fuses and those who are disrespectful and abusive.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a lot of very good points. I'm not a person who gets angry a lot, but I was still able to gain a lot of information from this book.

Mr. Stanley gave a wonderful example of something that happen in his church when he first got there and how he just stayed faithful to God and it all worked out for him. I loved that.

[T J]

Best book on anger and what to do about it, I have ever read. I thought I had mine under control but found there are different types of anger and it's roots. One great book. A need to read book for everyone.

[Brendyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to help develop better tactics towards not being angry about everything and to approach things in a Christ like way.

[Bill Main · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great work on forgiving!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

In todays world evryone seems to be over stresed and uptight! Dr. Stanley provides insight and good practical ideas to find peace.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great points made. Helpful advice for dealing with and letting go of anger. Explains how anger affects other aspects of your life.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized through the reading of this book that I've really allowed anger to run fairly rampant in my life. This book was very convicting and also very eye opening and freeing.

[Valentin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great source of information and advice.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, and excellent audio book! Stanley has a calming voice and way of speaking which compliments the text. Good Bible based advice for dealing with anger, righteous anger, and angry people.

[Deborah]

excellent reading.......very helpful and informative!

[Stephanie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book, once you start the book you won't be able to put it down.

[Major Doug · Rating 1 out of 5]

Listened to this book: not worth the time + the narrator was bad

[Chianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

CS is always a good choice!