When Others Dismiss You, What Do You Do?

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 NIV

“This hobbit was a very well-to-do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours’ respect, but he gained—well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.” (from The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien)

J.R.R. Tolkien opened our imaginations to adventure. One thing we learned about Bilbo Baggins was that as long as he lived according to Hobbit expectations, all was fine. However, when he went on his great adventure with Gandalf, everything changed.

 Tolkien experienced a similar kind of rejection after he was nominated by his good friend C.S. Lewis for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961. Lewis believed his friend showed a unique, imaginative scope and depth in storytelling that deserved acknowledgment. Unfortunately, the Nobel Prize committee didn’t agree and rejected the nomination, stating that “Tolkien’s storytelling lacked the literary quality required for the prize.” Tolkien may not have matched others’ expectations, but he kept doing what he did best: writing. He became known as the “father” of modern fantasy literature and is considered one of the most influential authors of all time.

When others dismiss you, what do you do? You look for God’s view. When Samuel the prophet was given the task of anointing the next king of Israel after Saul failed, he first looked at the outward appearance of the sons of Jesse. “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”  Wrong! God told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)

Fernando Mendoza faced 130 rejections before finally being signed by Cal University as a third-string quarterback. When a transfer was brought in to compete for his position, he entered the transfer portal and moved to Indiana University, the losingest program in college football history. That all changed Monday night when Mendoza led Indiana University to its first national championship and undefeated season.

When others dismiss you, what do you do? You find God’s confidence to stand firm. The Psalmist understood that only in God do we have the confidence to withstand the rejections of others. “When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.” (Psalm 118: 5-7 NIV)

“Never mind if you think you are unable to take another step, for either he will strengthen you to make you able, or he will call a sudden halt, and you will not have to take it at all.” (Frances Ridley Havergal)

When others dismiss you, what do you do? Keep your focus on God. Our darkest hours are often just moments away from when God will do His greatest work. The Book of Genesis offers a glimpse of God’s work in Joseph’s life. Joseph’s journey—from the favorite son to the despised brother, then sold into slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, interpreter of dreams, and eventually becoming a prime minister—culminates with him as the rescuer of a nation. At any point, Joseph could have made his life easier by choosing a different path. Yet he chose to stay focused on God and was able to end his story by saying, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” Gen 50:20.

“All the good that you will do will come not from you but from the fact that you have allowed yourself to be used by God’s love. Think of this more, and gradually you will be free from the need to prove yourself, and you can be more open to the power that will work through you without your knowing it.” Thomas Merton

When others dismiss you, what do you do? Make sure your identity is firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. Paul was a no-exception rule-keeping religionist until the day he finally encountered living grace. From that day on, there was no mistaking that Paul’s identity was rooted in Jesus. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

The answer to everything we need, every answer we seek, every problem we must overcome is from our identity rooted in Jesus. “God is not a retailer dispensing grace to us in doses. God is not measuring out some patience to the impatient, some love to the unloving, some meekness to the proud in quantities that we take and work on as a kind of capital. God has given only one gift to meet all our need—His Son, Christ Jesus. As I look to Him to live out His life in me, He will be humble and patient and loving and everything else I need—in my stead… (Watchman Nee)

Father, because I am in Christ Jesus, I have everything I need regardless of what others may think or say. I place my trust in you to work out your plans in my life. I take my hands off, letting you have full control. “I will run after you with delight in my heart.” My soul delights in you.

God is great!