Overcoming Hurts & Anger: Finding Freedom from Negative Emotions

by Dwight L. Carlson

With its updated cover, the classic bestseller Overcoming Hurts & Anger (500,000 copies sold) continues to help readers find the love and acceptance they long for by teaching them how to handle strong emotions constructively. God-given emotions help people evaluate and cope with the world around them. But when they're intense they can be overwhelming and harmful. And often Christians are told to ignore their anger and "be happy." Packed with real-life illustrations from Dr. Carlson's counseling practice, Overcoming Hurts & Anger encourages readers as they In easy-to-understand language, Dwight shows readers how to approach people and circumstances in ways that keep communication open, handle problems as they arise, and keep God's love, mercy, and grace flowing.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Christian

165 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1981

Reviews

[Larry]

Christian self-help book about understanding and managing anger.

This didn't know my socks off but an OK book, worth reading.

"Overcoming" is sort of a weird choice of words here. I feel like "managing" or "coping with" would be better. There's no magic wand.

The focus seems to be on conflicts that are momentary or short-lived. I would have liked to see the authors ideas about conflicts that go on indefinitely and seemingly can't be resolved.

[Felicia]

One of those books to read repeatedly

Getting over anger and hurt isn’t easy. This book has several suggestions on how to do it, though. For me, I will have to read this book or my highlighted notes several times in order for it to be natural to forgive people who have hurt me.
I liked the author’s way of pointing out how Christ forgave.

[Nathalie Grandeza]

A lot to learn. A lot to practice. A lot to realize how to fully live and glorify God.

[Point]

It was good. Helped me understand a bit more about anger and the way it's addressed in individuals and relationships. Not thrilling or anything, of course. Still good.

[Mariel Fernando]

A lot to learn and a lot to practice

[Jodi]

I'm not sure how I got this book. I found it in my bookshelf and thought it was interesting. It was a really good read and one that I will turn to as needed. It is an older book but still relevant today in how to communicate effectively even when mad. The book talks about past hurts being bottled up and bringing them with you throughout life. That you may not even realize they are there until you overreact in a situation. That taking the time to get in touch with your feelings and handled them head on is the best way to avoid bitterness and resentment.

[Waxy McClure]

I read this for work in order to more effectively deal with some very angry folks. Ironically, whilst the information and techniques discussed were sound I found the most interesting part of the book to be the stance on Christianity. He had a very intellectual perception of christian values and a modern way of applying that intrigued me. Bottom line, I think fewer christians would be labeled as 'kooks' if they were as rational about religion as he portrays himself in this book.

[Michelle]

This book has a lot of good insight. It does have a lot of religious points to it, so for someone who isn’t religious may just want to scan over some of those parts.

I am planning on getting my own copy so I can highlight areas that will need to be read time and time again. This isn’t a read once and your good kind of book. A lot of the tactics will need to be put forth by yourself in order to have any improvement.

[Merit-lee Gonzalez]

this is the book i was reading when i got saved 27 yrs ago really helped me let go a lot of anger still use its principles when i am angry haven't reread the book for a few yrs maybe i will reread it soon saved me from being angry at my past

[Carrie]

Down to earth, easy to read, good advice, but may be so simplistic that some people don't like it for that reason.

[Shannon]

I really liked this book. I am not finished using it but I did read through it all. I just want to go back and study some of the recommendations.

[Winston]

Helpful but a little light on the psychological side as well it mis-applied some Biblical passages.

[Tyler]

Surprise! This only made me angrier.