Untangle Your Emotions by Jennie Allen Summary

Untangle Your Emotions explores biblical strategies to understand and manage emotions, framing them as God-given tools for deeper connections. Jennie Allen presents a 4-step framework: notice, name, feel, share, and choose, emphasizing emotional awareness and vulnerability as pathways to spiritual growth. The book integrates personal stories, scriptural insights, and practical tools to help readers process emotions healthily.

This book is ideal for Christians seeking to align their emotional health with faith, small group participants, or anyone struggling with emotional suppression. Allen’s approach appeals to readers wanting scripturally grounded methods to navigate feelings like anger, sadness, or joy while fostering deeper relationships with God and others.

Yes, particularly for faith-based audiences. The book offers actionable steps, relatable anecdotes, and a compassionate tone. Critics praise its balance of biblical teaching and emotional intelligence, though some note a lack of diverse perspectives beyond Allen’s personal experiences.

Allen’s framework includes:

1. Notice: Identify emotions without judgment.
2. Name: Label feelings accurately.
3. Feel: Allow space to process emotions.
4. Share/Choose: Communicate emotions and make intentional choices.

This process aims to replace suppression with Christ-centered emotional stewardship.

Allen cites Scripture to affirm emotions as part of God’s design, referencing verses like Ephesians 4:26 (“Be angry and do not sin”) to validate feelings while encouraging righteous responses. She argues God Himself expresses emotions, modeling how believers can honor them.

Yes. The book includes a 6-week Bible study with video teachings, discussion questions, and a free downloadable guide. Churches and small groups frequently use it to foster communal emotional healing and spiritual growth.

Some reviewers note limited diverse viewpoints, relying heavily on Allen’s anecdotes rather than broader psychological research. Others desire more direct input from her family members referenced in case studies.

Unlike books framing emotions as untrustworthy (e.g., Keep It Shut by Karen Ehman), Allen’s work celebrates feelings as divine gifts. It aligns closer to Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero but adds a stronger focus on relational connection.

Key quotes include:

• “Feelings aren’t something to fix; they are something to feel.”
• “Emotions are designed by God as gifts to connect us to Himself.”

These emphasize accepting emotions as pathways to spiritual intimacy.

Yes, including a podcast series (Made For This), free PDF guides, and a video-based Bible study. A book club kit with discussion prompts is also available for group use.

Allen holds a Master’s in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and has authored multiple Bible studies (e.g., Stuck) and books (Anything). She co-leads Austin Stone Community Church and founded IF:Gathering, a global women’s ministry.

The book reframes “negative” emotions as signals to pursue God and community. For anger, Allen advises noticing triggers, naming the root cause (e.g., injustice), and choosing forgiveness. For sadness, she encourages lament as a form of worship.