In this work, respected scholar Andrew Lester discusses and incorporates the newest behavioral research models, contemporary biblical and theological scholarship, constructivist philosophy, and narrative theory into a comprehensive pastoral theology of anger. In revisiting through the lens of theological anthropology the very subject that brought him to the forefront of scholarship in pastoral care, Lester presents engaging new material and innovative new methods of interventions for dealing with this often-confusing human emotion.
Be honest, guys: Have you ever made a foolish or harmful decision when angry? Have you ever said or done something in the heat of the moment that you wish you could take back? Or do you tend to keep your anger hidden, choosing to bury the feeling and hoping it just goes away? No matter how often you get angry, or how you express it, Bill Perkins (best-selling author of When Good Men Are Tempted and 6 Rules Every Man Must Break) has written this book to provide you with the insight and biblical strategy you need to deal with this crucial issue (as well as help for the women in your life who are walking through the anger with you). Illustrated with research-based statistics and real-life stories of men who have successfully dealt with anger, When Good Men Get Angry explores the foundations of anger—what it is, where it comes from, how Jesus expressed it, and how the new and good man in you can control it.
In this groundbreaking book, David Powlison reframes the universal problem of anger through an in-depth exploration of God's anger and ours. Full of practical help for all who struggle with how to respond when life goes wrong, Good and Angry sets readers on a path toward the faithful and fruitful expression of anger.
A needed antidote for our culture of anger. As both mainstream and Christian culture become more polarized and terms like “age of anger” become commonplace, The Angry Christian meets a desperate need. Not self-help or psychology, this book looks first and foremost at the Bible for answers to the problems of anger. The Bible’s answer? Christians can be good and be angry at the same time. This is possible, and spiritually healthy, if you allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen you to get angry for the right reasons, and keep your anger under control. Ghezzi also shows you how to: Use anger constructively Use scripture to discipline anger Let anger help you overcome obstacles “The Angry Christian draws from scripture, life in the Holy Spirit, and the virtues to fashion a response to anger that can become a moment of grace and holiness.” —His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington “Whether anger is ally or adversary, righteous or right-filled depends upon its when, where, and why. Ghezzi masterfully reveals anger in all its faces, teaching how to harness it for maximum Christian good.” —Dr. Ray Guarendi, clinical psychologist and author of Fighting Mad “Anger is the mental virus of our age. It's an infection that becomes a poison that becomes an addiction, both bitter and delicious. Unless it's curbed, the habitual taste for conflict can break apart communities and families, and eat away every trace of our inner peace. In The Angry Christian, Bert Ghezzi explains the roots and nature of this emotional slavery with exceptional skill. Even more importantly, he shows us how we can be free of it." —Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia “Bert Ghezzi is publishing an extremely important book for this particular time. Not only are a lot of people angrily reacting against other people and institutions in our society, but they evoke counter-reactions in ever more volatile forms. Bert addresses the reality of anger in human life, its usefulness and its need for control in practical ways that Christians can apply to themselves. This is a book which one can bring to prayer for meditation and from which one can gain much wisdom in a foolishly angry world.” —Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, EWTN TV and Radio Host "In these tumultuous times, many of us see something that makes us angry almost every time we log on to our computers. Bert has provided a much-needed resource that helps us understand how to channel those intense feelings into making the world a better place." —Jennifer Fulwiler, SiriusXM Radio Host and author of One Beautiful Dream "We’re taught in church to avoid our anger and the pain that goes with it, but in an era of political, social and religious anger, how do we channel it for good? As Ghezzi suggests in his book, anger can be a slow and steady work toward justice, and a useful tool for the hearts of Christians, if we keep it in check and understand how it works. This book is for the average human who struggles to know themselves and others better in all the emotions that come with relationship, and a guide to help us become more whole along the way." —Kaitlin Curtice, author of Glory Happening
Every child has an off day when nothing seems to go right, but for some, angry outbursts, frustration, and resentment are the norm. When a child's anger threatens to jeopardize his school and social life and introduces an element of strain into the family dynamics that affects every member, it's time for a parent to ask: When is angry too angry? Child psychologist Dr. Tim Murphy has addressed this very question with hundreds of families, helping them to understand both the causes and the repercussions of childhood anger and to devise effective strategies for defusing the time bomb in their midst. Whether it's a toddler staging a tantrum, a grade-schooler unable to make friends, or a sulking preteen who greets every adult request with antagonism, parents of angry children are baffled by both the depth and the root of their child's unhappiness. And when small social problems and household disputes regularly escalate into full-fledged battles, it's nearly impossible for parents to distance themselves enough from the situation to find a perspective that will remedy it. With simple, direct techniques, Dr. Murphy shows it is possible to help an angry child understand what triggers his outbursts and develop new approaches for coping with potentially explosive situations. Identifying the ten telling characteristics of an angry child, Dr. Murphy provides examples from his clinical experience to help adults guide their children to more appropriate responses. Dr. Murphy also alerts readers to parenting styles that work best for these volatile children, explaining how a parent's own behavior can sometimes escalate a child's meltdowns. He pinpoints the moments when anger moves from a normal emotional expression to an extreme one, indicative of a larger problem. In a special chapter devoted to winning daily battles, Dr. Murphy offers advice on situations in which an angry child's temper is most likely to flare. The Angry Child is destined to be a classic. With real solutions for the concerns of millions of parents, Dr. Murphy offers answers and hope for the families and educators of unhappy children of all ages.
Help for anger management — from NYT bestselling author Gary Chapman Anger is a cruel master. If you struggle even a little with anger, you know how it feels to get mad too easily. To lash out at someone you love. To hold onto frustration. You might even notice others seem uneasy around you. You know anger is hurting your life, but you don’t know how to fix it. There is hope. When you understand why you get angry and what to do about it, you can change the course of your life for the better. In Anger: Taming a Powerful Emotion, counselor Gary Chapman shares surprising insights about anger, its effect on relationships, and how to overcome it. His advice and real-life examples will help you: Understand yourself better Overcome shame, denial, and bitterness Discern good anger from bad anger Manage anger and conflict constructively Make positive life changes Let go of your grudges and resentment Help others (like your children) deal with anger and more Whether your anger is quiet or explosive, if it’s clouding your judgment and hurting your relationships, it needs to go. Learn to handle anger in healthy ways, starting today. Gary Chapman is wise and empathetic, and he'll help you turn over a new leaf.
Few people realize that the Gospels include at least fifteen different stories about Jesus anger. When was Jesus angry? What was he angry about? Is Jesus anger relevant today? Is it right for a Christian to be angry? Although sinful anger cannot achieve the righteousness of God, godly anger can rouse a sleeping church. Godly anger lights a flame that fuels people to wake up and be truthful out loud, so that many (who dont expect it) can be healed. Godly anger is powerful. Its an aspect of real love. It ushers in true hope because it knows that God is faithful. It dares to take a risk because it trusts that God has its back. Without the salt of Jesus anger, people accept whats unacceptable. We allow what we shouldnt allow. We dont make changes we should make. We deceive ourselves into thinking that corruption doesnt need to be opposed. Godly anger is not afraid. It assumes responsibility. It motivates us to confront things we wish did not exist. Jesus anger is Gods gift to help deliver us.
We've all faced anger, sadness, frustration, confusion, disappointment, fear, or depression at some point in our lives. We know that we need to get to the root of the problem in order to fix it. But what do you do when you feel that God is the root of the problem? What do you do when you're angry with God? Psychologist Michele Novotni noticed that many of her clients who were working through their anger with people had a parallel need to work through their anger with God. Beneath the psychological issues, many of us also silently struggle with our faith. Yet, we are afraid to give voice to this anger. We're told that "good" people, "people of faith, " accept what happens without asking questions. Unvoiced thoughts are forced underground, leaving us feeling disconnected from God or even flat-out angry with God -- but unable to do much about it. It's time to break the silence. This book won't try to talk you out of your anger, but it will talk you through it while presenting an image of a compassionate God who continues to love you.
In this ground-breaking book, pastoral counselor Andrew Lester demonstrates that pastoral theology (as well as social and behavioral sciences) has neglected to address effectively the predominant cause of human suffering: a lack of hope, a sense of futurelessness. Lester examines the reasons that pastoral theology and other social and behavioral sciences have overlooked the importance of hope and despair in the past. He then offers a starting point for the development of addressing these significant dimensions of human life. He provides clinical theories and methods for pastoral assessment of and intervention with those who despair. He also puts forth strategies for assessing the future stories of those who despair and offers a corrective to these stories through deconstruction, reframing, and reconstruction. This book will be invaluable to pastoral caregivers who are looking for a vantage point from which to provide care and to pastoral theologians who are seeking to develop a theological lens through which to understand the human condition.
