Untangling Emotions

An amazing take on how to think through and trust the Lord with our emotions.

The first big contribution of Untangling Emotions is their observations that emotions, and especially strong emotions like anger, fear and grief communicate our values. “Your emotions are always expressing the things you love, value and treasure, whether you understand them or not.” (35) When we are feeling any emotion, good or bad, that means that something we love is being affected in some way.-Secondly, our emotions don’t just come one at a time. If emotions arise in us as a result of what we treasure and value, and we value a lot of different things, it makes sense that we experience a variety of emotions all at the same time. This explains why we don’t always respond to good things (or bad things) as strongly as we think we should. This also can lead to some confusion about our emotions (why am I sad even though this great thing just happened?).-Finally, Groves & Smith give us a roadmap to engaging our emotions. Rather than bowing to our emotions or ignoring our emotions, they give really good instructions on how to engage emotions effectively. They advocate for investigating our emotions rather than judging them as good or bad right off the bat. Here are their three steps: First, identify what emotions you’re feeling. Second, examine your emotion by asking questions like, “Why am I feeling this?”, “What am I reacting to?” and so on. Finally, evaluate your emotion by asking questions like, “What parts of what I’m feeling are good and godly, and what parts are destructive or selfish?” There’s more guidance in the book, you’ll have to read it to find out!

A clear Biblical approach to understanding emotions.Having heard Alasdair teaching on the subject this summer, and that spoke to my heart, I bought the book which is an extended and detailed version of what he had presented.It is well organized and gives a clear-eyed view of emotions and how they affect us. There is also a comprehensive list of scriptures as a go-to source for understanding. With a WTS heritage, this work enjoys a thoroughly Reformed Christian perspective.

Browsing through the shelves of my local Christian bookstore, I leafed through the few books they had about emotions, only to find that they seemed to fall into two categories: 1 being a collection of brief comments and bible verses about each kind of emotion, with nothing to bridge the chapters together, or 2 overall bible commentaries that only lightly touch on the concept of emotions. This book seemed to actually hit the spot though; having been written by two very experienced Christian counselors, it actively brings the bible into emotions and explains why God gave us these emotions, and how we can respond to them correctly. I'm not sure that there's another book like it. It definitely helped me!

Good book. My sister recommended it to me. Although it has a tear in the back cover.

We did a book club with this book thru my church. It truly helped me understand my emotions and others better and how to deal with them more effectively

Christian books often lack candor regarding emotions. Authors hide behind a false outlook that emotions are a side issue. These co-authors shine pure scriptural light on what emotions are and how to engage them. This book will become a friend. I now know to say I am feeling is powerful expression I can freely use.

I'm enjoying this book. I'm using it as a text book in a class I'm taking. Thank you!

I found this book gave a clear understanding of our emotions and how we are to evaluate them. I found it very helpful.

I really liked the clarity that this book is written in. You have two authors who understand the subject and yet are compassionate, clear and concise in the way they put it across. I found chapter by chapter took me deeper in helpful reflection. Thanks so much for writing it.

This book is exactly what I needed at this point in time. It’s help me understand what is going on with me and how to move forward.