A Small Book About a Big Problem: Meditations on Anger, Patience and Peace

Book Description

How many times today have you been irritated? Frustrated? While you might not think about it often, if you look closely at any day most everyone can find anger in their actions and attitudes. Something spills or goes missing, we get stuck in traffic or someone cuts us off on the road, or we feel like the people we live and work with are only making our lives more difficult. And while no one wants to get angry, what happens when our irritations and frustrations rise yet again?

Anger is so common-yet it also hurts. It not only leaves a mark on us, but it also leaves a marks on others. The wounds we inflict on ourselves and others because of anger-loss of intimacy, trust, security, and enjoyment in our closest relationships-give us compelling reasons to look closely at our anger and think carefully about how to grow in peace and patience.

But if you, like many others, have just gotten irritated for the umpteenth time today, you might wonder if change is possible. Can anyone truly find peace? The answer is yes, but you will need a plan. Biblical counselor and psychologist Ed Welch invites readers to take a fifty-day journey that unpacks anger while encouraging and teaching readers to respond with patience to life's difficulties. Readers will also be introduced to Jesus, the key to any plan for change. Known as the Prince of Peace, he is the only one who can empower his people to grow in patience, peace, and wholeness.

• Provides short, daily meditations that encourage readers to look carefully at how their anger affects them and others.
  
• The fifty-day reading plan gives ample time for readers to unpack the underlying causes of irritation and frustration and develop a Spirit-led plan for growth.
  
• Offers encouragement and helps readers to develop the skills to deal with the universal problem of anger and respond with more patience to life's difficulties
  
• Christ-centered teachings give readers hope that they can change not based on their own efforts, but through the work of Jesus and his indwelling Spirit.
  
• A useful tool for pastors, counselors, and lay helpers who are working with people who struggle with a short fuse.

Endorsements

"Does anger really require a basic treatment program of seven weeks? Yes. Small symptoms mask major diseases. In A Small Book about a Big Problem, Dr. Ed Welch masterfully combines biblical analysis and a lifetime of counseling experience with a gentle exposing of our true condition—and then prescribes gospel medicine. Complete the course! At first it may not taste good. But it offers the hope of long-term spiritual health."
Sinclair B. Ferguson, Teaching Fellow, Ligonier Ministries

"As a young pastor anger nearly destroyed my family and my ministry. By grace, God rescued me. My hope is that this book, filled with profound insights, tender grace, and practical wisdom, will be used by God to rescue and restore many. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from reading it."
Paul Tripp, Author of New Morning Mercies

"Anger is a big problem today—in our political life, in the world's religions, on the highways, and in our own hearts. Scripture says it is often murderous, and it warns us about it at length. But often when we are angry, we don't have the patience to listen to a lecture or treatise. Thankfully, Ed Welch's book provides biblical teaching about anger in powerful, eloquent, short segments. Right to the point; right to our hearts."
John Frame, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology and Philosophy, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL

"The title of this book is accurate. These fifty reflections are brief and succinct, but they directly address one of the biggest and ugliest problems in the world. Anger is inextricably tied up with bitterness, envy, hate, an unbridled tongue, resentments, party spirit, and war. It divides homes and splits churches—and this among the people of God who, Jesus says, will be known for their love. This eminently probing and practical book is in part a collection of first steps for combatting this awful wickedness."
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical School, Deerfield, IL; cofounder of The Gospel Coalition

"Anger can be explosive or it can slowly simmer. Whatever form it takes, it leaves a path of broken relationships in its wake. Ed Welch's new book, A Small Book about a Big Problem offers a needed opportunity to consider what's at the heart of our anger. These daily devotions patiently expose the destructive effects of anger while guiding us to a life of greater humility, thankfulness, and peace."
Melissa Kruger, Author of The Envy of Eve and Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood

"A Small Book About A Big Problem was, for me, a gentle, calm, honest conversation with a wise friend about a real problem. In our angry and even explosive world today, that is a rare treasure indeed. Anyone open to the gospel will be helped by this book to rethink their pain and turmoil in the presence of Jesus the Crucified."
Ray Ortlund, Pastor of Immanuel Church, Nashville, TN

"What a rich, insightful book! Ed's years of working with the heart come to life in these short, piercing vignettes. They aren't so much devotionalas they are disrupters. They will disrupt your heart for good. No matter where you are in the Christian life, you will find yourself arrested by this book. I'm getting one for each of our children."
Paul Miller, Founder of seeJesus; author of A Praying Life and A Loving Life

"Anger—so easy to neglect! Feel too busy to address it? Try this amazingly simple tool. Short, but sharp and straight to the heart. Perfect for your morning meal with the Lord. Your heart needs these fifty questions."
François Turcotte, President of Séminaire Baptiste évangélique du Québec (SEMBEQ)

"A few pages into A Small Book About A Big Problem,I thought: 'He's done it again!' Ed Welch writes with simple, penetrating, grace-filled clarity that sets us on the path to the reality of forgiveness and hope for change. If you feel like you're in a losing battle with anger, read this book—and read it for all fifty days."
C. J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville

"God's wisdom counsels, 'A gentle answer turns away wrath,' and 'The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.' Gently but so incisively, Ed Welch plumbs and exposes the ugly depths of our angry hearts. Then he brings us to Jesus, whose mercy can replace our selfish rage with humility and gratitude. Read this small book reflectively and honestly. Expect big change."
Dennis E. Johnson, Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California

Additional Information

Cover: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 185
Publisher: New Growth Press
Publication Date: 2017