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.

Once we learn something new, we quickly forget what it was like not to know it.  

It doesn’t take long for someone who is new to the faith to forget what life was like before Jesus. Likewise, a person who begins attending Church quickly forgets what it was like to walk into a building for the first time. 

This becomes an obstacle for Churches and individuals who want to reach new people with the message of salvation in Jesus. They approach their building and programs like everyone knows what is happening and why. 

One vital step to reaching your neighbor for Jesus is to try and put yourself in their shoes. 

Liking puppies is different than owning a full-grown dog.

Puppies are cute, and everyone loves them. They touch your heart with their cuddles and tiny bodies.

Dogs take work. They require food, water, vets, grooming, and walks continually.

Whenever you take on a new project for you or your children, be careful about getting into something with a limited window of instant joy and a lifetime of work. Knowing the commitment required down the road is an important factor to consider.

Responsibility and a willingness to work are essential when the cuteness is gone and things mature.

That is true in all relationships.

One of the primary definitions of a guru is a teacher with knowledge and expertise. 

A guru has studied and learned everything possible about one topic. They have dedicated their lives to having knowledge that few others obtain. Then they willingly share what they have learned with others.

The trouble comes when they think their knowledge transfers to other areas. 

This could be a sports star talking about politics, an actor speaking about writing, or even a preacher talking about things not found in the Bible.

Be careful whose voice you listen to for advice, teachers abound, but only a few are true gurus.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18 – NIV 2011)

Some of the decisions Christians make seem crazy to people who do not follow Jesus. That is because we are focused on things that others cannot see. 

Living for eternity gives you a perspective that is complicated to understand if your focus is somewhere else. And if you do follow Jesus, keep your eyes fixed on the prize no matter what anyone else says. 

Some things deserve another try. 

Take another taste of sushi, coffee, vegetables, dark chocolate, cheeses, or wine. Go for a brisk walk, dance, draw, paint, or try to play an instrument now that you are older. Also, consider Jesus, reading the Bible, a life of faith, and doing things God’s way.

Often our first experiences are not the best. That’s normal. Don’t let that prohibit you from returning to try them again. Many of the best things in life are acquired tastes.  

There are so many things I would like to say to my former self. I could spend all day telling myself to be more humble, listen closely, cherish people, make good choices, and do a hundred other things. 

But what would I want to tell my future self?

I suppose I would like to be reminded that I did my best. Based on the information I had, the resources at my disposal, and the inner voice of the Holy Spirit, I tried to use my life in the best way possible. 

It is possible to look at your life filled with guilt, regrets, remorse, and a lot of “if I could do it all over again” and become depressed. I could feel like a failure because I am evaluating my past based on what I know then. The truth is that I am trying to let God guide me now. I know I am sinful and make foolish mistakes, but I really am trying to do my best. 

I cannot go back and rewrite the past. So in the future, I hope I can remember that while I made mistakes, God was still working on me and through me. 

In my part of the country, it doesn’t take long for the yellow flower of dandelions to spread across an entire lawn. The puffy white seeds are blown easily across the yard, where they catch root and sprout another plant. 

I wish to live in a world where God’s love and good deeds spread just as quickly. 

Sure, not everything will take root, but if we spread enough gospel seed, it won’t take long until we change the whole look of the landscape.

All positive change starts with a decision. 

We can slide into bad situations. It is a slow fade into poor choices. One compromise leads to another and another until we are a long way from where you want to be. No one decides they want to be fat. It just happens one meal and one snack at a time. 

Now sometimes, our decisions do not translate into actions. We have a goal or a dream, but we are unwilling to pay the price to make it happen. 

Still, all positive change starts with a decision. There comes a time when we set our mind to go in a new direction, start behaving differently or accept a truth, and everything flows from that point. A choice should lead to one action and then another, and you can move anywhere. 

What choice do you need to make today? 

It is time to stop wavering and move in the direction God wants you to go and become the person he desires.