Sign-In
Cart
Mad: Seeing Your Anger with the Clarity of God's Word
Paperback
Publisher Price: $9.95
ISBN13: 9781732385443
Publisher: Life Over Coffee
Published: Feb 21 2025
Pages: 94
Weight: 0.26
Height: 0.19 Width: 5.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
Rick Thomas's MAD: Seeing Your Anger with the Clarity of God's Word is a direct, unflinching, and deeply biblical examination of one of the most common-and most minimized-sins in the Christian life: anger. From the opening pages, Thomas refuses to let the reader hide behind softened language or cultural euphemisms. What we often call frustration, irritation, or being bothered, he consistently reclassifies as what Scripture calls it-anger. And not merely as a behavioral issue, but as a heart-level problem rooted in desires, self-righteousness, and functional unbelief.
The strength of this book is its clarity. Thomas dismantles the illusion that anger is only explosive or obvious. Through his anger spectrum, he exposes both loud and subtle expressions-from rage to silent treatment-showing they are all manifestations of the same sin. This reframing is not merely diagnostic-it is corrective. It removes the reader's ability to excuse respectable anger.
A central contribution of the book is how it ties anger to worship. Anger is not primarily about circumstances or people; it is about what the heart wants and is not getting (James 4:1-2). Thomas repeatedly presses this point: anger is a response to unmet desires, revealing what rules the heart in that moment. This moves the conversation beyond behavior management into true biblical transformation.
Another standout theme is the relationship between anger and self-righteousness. The author argues persuasively that anger often flows from a greater-than, better-than posture-a subtle elevation of self above others. This insight is both theological and intensely practical. It forces the reader to reckon with the gap between their view of themselves and the gospel reality of who they were apart from Christ. The book also excels in its practical theology. Each chapter includes reflection questions and calls to action, reinforcing that this is not a passive reading experience but a workbook for repentance. Thomas repeatedly urges readers to slow down, examine their hearts, invite others into their self-assessment, and actively pursue change.
His treatment of righteous anger is particularly helpful. Rather than dismissing it, he carefully distinguishes it from sinful anger through three markers: humility, redemptive intent, and relational accessibility. If your anger pushes people away rather than drawing them toward restoration, it is not righteous-no matter how justified it feels. The case studies-especially the recurring example of Biff and Mable-bring the theology into real life. These scenarios expose how anger functions in marriage, parenting, and everyday relationships, showing how deeply ingrained and destructive it can become when left unchecked.
Perhaps the most sobering and helpful contribution is Thomas's insistence that anger is not merely reactive-it is revealing. The heat of life does not create anger; it exposes what is already in the heart. This is a needed correction in a culture that blames circumstances rather than confronting sin. The book's tone is direct but pastoral. It does not coddle the reader, but neither does it condemn without hope. The gospel is consistently held out as the only solution-not as a concept, but as a lived, daily reality involving repentance, humility, Scripture saturation, and community.
If there is a defining takeaway, it is this: you cannot deal with anger until you see it clearly, and you cannot see it clearly until you are willing to be honest about your heart. This is not a book for casual readers. It is for those who are ready to stop managing anger and start mortifying it. Used personally, in counseling, or in discipleship contexts, it has the potential to produce real, observable change.
Life Over Coffee Publishers
Also from
Thomas, Rick
When Marriage Breaks: Tracing the Steps, the Fallout, and the Way Back from Adultery
Thomas, Rick
Paperback
The Fringe Minority: A Report from the Trenches of the Canadian Freedom Movement
Thomas, Rick
Paperback
Also in
Christian Living
A Child Shall Lead Them PB: Martin Luther King Jr., Young People, and the Movement
Burrow, Rufus
Paperback
Don't Mom Alone: Growing the Relationships You Need to Be the Mom You Want to Be
Macfadyen, Heather
Paperback
The King Is Coming Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: It's Time to Prepare for the Return of Christ
Bevere, John
Paperback
Becoming Like Jesus Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on the Beatitudes
Chandler, Matt
Paperback
18 Days in Heaven: I Left My Body. I Met Jesus. What He Told Me Will Alter Your Eternity
Poirot, Gabe
Paperback
The Unseen Battle: Spiritual Warfare, the Three Rebellions, and Christ's Victory Over Dark Powers
Muddamalle, Joel
Paperback
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks Revised and Updated: A Year-Long Bible Study
Lucado, Max
Paperback
Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?
Thomas, Gary
Paperback
The Elijah Mandate: A Call to Courageous Faith in a Hostile World
Piflaks, Tolik
Tsarfati, Amir
Paperback
The Way of the Wildflower: Gospel Meditations to Unburden Your Anxious Soul
Simons, Ruth Chou
Hardcover
The Meaning of Marriage Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video, Updated Edition: A Vision for Married and Single People
Keller, Timothy
Keller, Kathy
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Paperback
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Large Print Edition: Discovering God's Love for You (Large Print Edition)
Keller, W. Phillip
Paperback
The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery: Connecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Life
Warren MD W. Lee
Hardcover
Christian Beliefs, Revised Edition: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know
Grudem, Wayne A.
Paperback
When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without
Story, Laura
Paperback
La Mujer Emocionalmente Sana: Cómo Dejar de Aparentar Que Todo Marcha Bien Y Experimentar Un Cambio de Vida = Emotionally Healthy Woman
Scazzero, Peter
Scazzero, Geri
Paperback
Every Thought Captive Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: How Renewing Your Mind Can Change Your Life
Idleman, Kyle
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Leo XIV, Pope
Hardcover
The Women of the Bible Speak Workbook: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today
Bream, Shannon
Paperback
Holy Health: Habits and Rhythms to Heal Your Body and Transform Your Life
Roethlingshoefer, Justin
Hardcover
100 Bible Verses That Made America: Defining Moments That Shaped Our Enduring Foundation of Faith
Morgan, Robert J.
Paperback
Jesus & Your Mental Health: Linking God's Word and Modern Science to Find Peace about Mental Health
Maxwell Lmft, Rebecca
Paperback
Where Do We Go from Here? Bible Study Guide: How Tomorrow's Prophecies Foreshadow Today's Problems
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy
Jones, Robert P.
Hardcover
Winning the War in Your Mind Workbook: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life
Groeschel, Craig
Paperback
Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence
Pope Leo XIV, XIV
Paperback
Friendship in the Lord: A Catholic Classic on Holy Friendship and Life in Christ a Christian Classic
Hinnebusch Op, Paul
Paperback
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Workbook 25th Anniversary Edition: Follow Them and People Will Follow You
Maxwell, John C.
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning with and Reimagining Faith
Bessey, Sarah
Evans, Rachel Held
Hardcover
This Isn't the Story I Wanted: Grieving the Life You Lost and Trusting the God Who Stays
Langman, Nicole
Paperback
Demasiado Bendecida Para Estar Estresada: Devocionales de 3 Minutos Para Mujeres
Coty, Debora M.
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Hardcover
Capable: How to Teach Your Kids the Strengths, Skills, and Strategies to Build Resilience
Goff, Sissy, Lpc-Mhsp
Thomas, David
Hardcover
The War on Reality: Recovering Truth in a World That Celebrates Lies
Hayes, Phoenix
Turek, Frank
Paperback
Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter: Expanded Second Edition
Freeman, Lindsay Hardin
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
Parables Workbook: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools: An Invitation to the Wonder and Mystery of Prayer
Staton, Tyler
Paperback
Slaying the Giants in Your Life: You Can Win the Battle and Live Victoriously
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts Workbook for Women: Seven Questions to Ask Before---And After---You Marry
Parrott, Les And Leslie
Paperback
Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck: The Proven Path to Break Free from Debt, Build Real Wealth, and Live Free on Any Income
O'Neal, Anthony
Hardcover
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
Comer, John Mark
Hardcover
The Biblio Diet: Live Long, Master Metabolism, Reduce Pain, Fight Depression, and Conquer Cancer with Healing Secrets from the Bible
Rubin, Jordan
Axe, Josh
Hardcover
Aimed & Ready: Your PULLBACK is a setup for your COMEBACK! - Preparing Believers for Kingdom Purpose
Smit, Nico
Paperback
Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World
Armas, Kat
Paperback
American Caesar: How Theocrats and Tech Lords Are Turning America Into a Monarchy
Onishi, Bradley B.
Hardcover
Pray Like a Champion Today: Sacred Stories from the Sidelines of Notre Dame Football
Wills, Nate, CSC
Paperback
The Faith to Flourish: God's Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life
Caine, Christine
Paperback
Minute by Minute: A Pivotal Question from God, My Response, and the Remarkable Miracles That Followed
Moody, Joanne
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men Workbook, Revised and Updated: How Jesus Shaped His Disciples for Greatness and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Bloodline Deliverance Study Manual: How to Set Yourself, Your Family, and Your Bloodline Free from Demons and Curses
Brewer, Mike
Brewer, Andrea
Paperback
Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Expanded Edition: A Year-Long Bible Study
Spangler, Ann
Paperback
The Official Study Guide to I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Jimenez, Jason
Geisler, Norman L.
Paperback
Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts Workbook for Men: Seven Questions to Ask Before---And After---You Marry
Parrott, Les And Leslie
Paperback
The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn't Come Easy
Cook, Alison
Paperback
The Love Language(tm) That Matters Most: How to Personalize Love So They Really Feel It
Parrott, Les
Chapman, Gary
Parrott, Leslie
Paperback
Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff
White, Dana K.
Paperback
How Western Christianity Got It Wrong: Replacing the God of Fear with a Spirituality of Healing
Woodley, Randy
Hardcover
Love Thy Stranger: How the Teachings of Jesus Transformed the Moral Conscience of the West
Ehrman, Bart D.
Hardcover
Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You
Burke, John
Paperback
NIV, Value Thinline Bible, Large Print, Imitation Leather, Brown (Large Print Edition)
Zondervan
Hardcover
A Catechism of the Strange: Stigmata, Relics, and the Miracles That Shape the Soul
Allen, W. Tyler
Paperback
NIV, Value Thinline Bible, Large Print, Imitation Leather, Pink (Large Print Edition)
Zondervan
Hardcover
Praying Prodigals Home: Prayers, Declarations, and Strategies to Stand in Faith for Your Family
Christmas, Candy
Paperback
A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God's Gift of Sexual Intimacy
Rosenau, Douglas E.
Paperback
Uncluttered Faith: Own Less, Love More, and Make an Impact in Your World: A Minimalist Book
Becker, Joshua
Hardcover