Along the highway, I have seen giant billboards advertising Jesus, faith, and local Churches. Almost every city has at least one full-color banner to help people become believers or connect to a faith community.

I have never used a billboard throughout my ministry, even though I have used every other type of advertising. So I cannot tell you if they are effective or a waste of money. However, I guess I noticed them, and I am sure I am not the only one. 

A few years ago, I made a move as a pastor to stop using too much advertising. I still think it has a place, but for now, I would rather invest my resources into the walking billboards in our Church. 

The people who comprise the community of faith are the best form of advertisement. Their life provides the opportunity for people to see and hear what genuine faith looks like. And honestly, if the people in the Church do not align with the message we share, no number of giant billboards by the road will make a difference.

Each life in the community of faith is a walking ad for the life of faith. Is the message you are presenting worth considering?   

They were one of the most bitter and angry people I had ever met. They never had anything positive to say. A scowl accompanied their bad mood and poor attitude. Nobody could do anything correctly, or at least to their liking. Their words were often loud and filled with a seething anger that seemed to have no end.

While I do not know all the reasons for their anger, some things became more evident the longer I got to know them. Loss of a beloved family member at an early age, a strict father with an overly submissive mother, and a long list of painful experiences filled their past. Over time those feelings of hurt had turned into anger.

One mental health website states that people change their feelings of pain into anger because it feels better to be angry than to be in pain. I believe it also gives them a sense of control in a life that has been out of control. Finally, anger can distract us from feelings that bring us down. 

I am sure there are other reasons, but my experience has been that most angry people are the product of pain. The hurt they once felt is now channeled into another emotion. 

So, if you know someone like the person I mentioned, the problem may not be anger but hurt. These people need love and grace while being the most challenging person to offer it to. But sometimes, loving our enemies better results from understanding their background.  

In your current situation, what is God trying to teach you? How is he trying to grow your faith? What lessons could you learn from what you are experiencing?

That difficult person might be the way you learn acceptance.

That particular job you hate might be teaching you patience or perseverance.

That feeling bringing you down might be an open invitation to do something more meaningful.

Instead of being upset at some of the events in your life, why not flip it over and ask yourself what God might be trying to teach you. 

Teachings abound, but lessons are not always easily learned.