The late David Powlison, believed everyone has an anger problem. And in his book, Good & Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness he not only made his compelling, Biblical argument, but provided explanations and action steps that help you solve a problem you may not have even known you had:

Section 1

Anger happens when there are things that need to be made right – which sounds like a good thing. However, the common reaction to injustice is usually non-productive anger.

Section 2

Anger does not happen to you; it is something you do. It’s your desires, values, beliefs, fears, etc. that cause your anger to break out into behavior. Interestingly, it’s God’s loving anger on your behalf and mercy for everyone in the situation that sets you free from the need to be angry.

Section 3

Anger is disorienting, and leads to unreasonableness. But when you untangle your anger, you gain ability to see your sins accurately and become capable of viewing others’ sins charitably. Fortunately, there are 8 powerful questions you can ask yourself to take apart your anger and put yourself back together:

1. What is my situation?
2. How do I react?
3. What are my motives?
4. What are the consequences?
5. What is true?
6. How do I turn to God for help?
7. How could I respond constructively in this situation?
8. What are the results of faith and obedience?

Section 4

No matter the cause for anger, this Biblical method applies to them all:  

• The things that cause the deepest angers call for a serious deliberation of the 8 questions; not simply forgetting and moving on.
• And the things that cause everyday angers require these 8 questions to be put to work repeatedly until old habits are broken.
• Also, anger at self can run far off the rails until you get your standards straightened out. Again, mercy and those 8 questions are needed.
• Finally, anger at God is not the perfectly acceptable emotion that the self-help culture promotes. Rather, such rage is birthed from a misunderstanding about who you are and who God is; yet by His mercy an opportunity awaits you to seek a healthier soul.

Still Not Sure You Need To Read This Book?

The questions below can help you decide. Just answering yes to one of them could indicate that this tool would be helpful for you.

• Do you have unmet expectations that frustrate you?
• Have you been deeply wounded and are still waiting to be understood?
• Have you been wronged and are waiting for justice to be done?
• Are your circumstances dragging you down?
• Do you feel like control is slipping through your fingertips?
• Would you be described as moody?
• Are any of your relationships not as close as they could be, especially because you don’t want to get hurt again?
• Are you surrounded by multiple negative or non-Biblical influences in your life?
• Does your first taste of anger quickly bring on anxiety, depression, or unhealthy coping?

One More Tip

This writing is not a short read, so a disciplined idea is to read through the book with a friend or trusted advisor to help you finish the task, remain honest, and apply what is learned.

“For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:20