Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2

Chapter 69—Rejection

Magnifying Seeming Difficulties—Many greatly magnify seeming difficulties and then begin to pity themselves and give way to despondency. Such need to make an entire change in themselves. They need to discipline themselves to put forth exertion and to overcome all childish feelings. They should determine that life shall not be spent in working at trifles.... Everyone should have an aim, an object, in life. The loins of the mind should be girded up and the thoughts be trained to keep to the point, as the compass to the pole. The mind should be directed in the right channel, according to well-formed plans. Then every step will be a step in advance.... Success or failure in this life depends much upon the manner in which the thoughts are disciplined.—The Review and Herald, April 6, 1886. 2MCP 630.1

No Reason for Despair—None need abandon themselves to discouragement and despair. Satan may come to you with the cruel suggestion: “Yours is a hopeless case. You are irredeemable.” But there is hope for you in Christ. God does not bid us overcome in our own strength. He asks us to come close to His side. Whatever difficulties we labor under, which weigh down soul and body, He waits to make us free.—The Ministry of Healing, 249 (1905). 2MCP 630.2

Beware of Self-pity—We need to beware of self-pity. Never indulge the feeling that you are not esteemed as you should be, that your efforts are not appreciated, that your work is too difficult. Let the memory of what Christ has endured for us silence every murmuring thought. We are treated better than was our Lord.—The Ministry of Healing, 476 (1905). 2MCP 631.1

Self-pity is deteriorating to the characters of those who cherish it, and it exerts an influence that spoils the happiness of others.—Manuscript 27, 1902. (Medical Ministry, 177). 2MCP 631.2

Ability to Endure Neglect—The soul that loves God rises above the fog of doubt; he gains a bright, broad, deep, living experience and becomes meek and Christlike. His soul is committed to God, hid with Christ in God. He will be able to stand the test of neglect, of abuse and contempt, because his Saviour has suffered all this. He will not become fretful and discouraged when difficulties press him, because Jesus did not fail or become discouraged. Every true Christian will be strong, not in the strength and merit of his good works, but in the righteousness of Christ, which through faith is imputed unto him. It is a great thing to be meek and lowly in heart, to be pure and undefiled, as was the Prince of heaven when He walked among men.—The Review and Herald, December 3, 1889. (The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:907.) 2MCP 631.3

Not to Take Neglects to Heart—It is the love of self that destroys our peace. While self is all alive, we stand ready continually to guard it from mortification and insult; but when we are dead and our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall not take neglects or slights to heart. We shall be deaf to reproach and blind to scorn and insult.—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 16 (1896). 2MCP 631.4

Despondency a Fruit of Excessive Leisure—Despondent feelings are frequently the result of too much leisure. The hands and mind should be occupied in useful labor, lightening the burdens of others; and those who are thus employed will benefit themselves also. Idleness gives time to brood over imaginary sorrows, and frequently those who do not have real hardships and trials will borrow them from the future.—The Signs of the Times, October 23, 1884. (Counsels on Health, 629). 2MCP 631.5

Comfort for a Rejected Orphan Boy—Oh, this is a cold and selfish world! Your relatives, who should have loved and befriended you for your parents’ sake if not for your own, have shut themselves up in their selfishness and have no special interest for you. But God will be nearer and dearer to you than any of your earthly relatives can be. He will be your friend and will never leave you. He is a father to the fatherless. His friendship will prove sweet peace to you and will help you to bear your great loss with fortitude. 2MCP 632.1

Seek to make God your father, and you will never want a friend. You will be exposed to trials; yet be steadfast and strive to adorn your profession. You will need grace to stand, but God's pitying eye is upon you. Pray much and earnestly, believing that God will help you. Guard against irritability and petulance and a spirit of tantalizing. Forbearance is a virtue which you need to encourage. Seek for piety of heart. Be a consistent Christian. Possess a love of purity and humble simplicity, and let these be interwoven with your life.—Testimonies for the Church 2:314 (1869). 2MCP 632.2

Never Feel Alone—You may never be lonesome, never feel that you are alone, if you will take Jesus as your Companion and your Everlasting Friend.—Letter 4, 1885. 2MCP 632.3

Neglect Destroys the Soul—It is not only by resistance but by neglect that the soul is destroyed.—The Desire of Ages, 323 (1898). 2MCP 632.4

Bear With One Another—We must bear with one another, remembering our failings. With some have compassion, making a difference; others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. All cannot bear the same rigid discipline. All cannot be brought up to just another's ideas of duty. Allowance must be made for different temperaments and different minds. God knows how to deal with us. But my heart has been sick as I have seen brother deal with brother and the disposition to catch another in his words and to make a man an offender for a word.... 2MCP 632.5

It is time for all to take hold of the work, not stop to measure off just the share of wrong belonging to another, but each search his own heart, confess his own wrongs, and leave his brethren with the Lord. One has only to answer for his or her wrongs; and while so narrowly watching to pull the weeds from the garden of his brethren, the poisonous weeds are growing strong and rank in his own. Let each labor to keep his own soul and to possess a happy, cheerful, forbearing spirit at home, and all will be well.—Letter 12, 1863. 2MCP 633.1

Not All Think Alike—Wholehearted service is required in dealing with minds. Let us remember this. Often we are tempted to criticize a man standing in a high position of responsibility because he does not do as we think he ought to do. But the one who has so many responsibilities to carry needs not the criticism of his fellow workers; he needs their encouragement, their forbearance, their patience, and their prayers. He needs the abiding presence of Christ; for it is not always that he has wise, unprejudiced men to counsel with. 2MCP 633.2

In the confusion of many cares and many calls for help, he may make mistakes. Among the scores of appeals that come for help, your case may seem to be neglected. At such times remember the heavy burdens that are laid upon the one whom you think has failed to do his duty. Remember that it may be impossible for him to grant your request. Perhaps it would be a great mistake to grant it.—Letter 169, 1904. 2MCP 633.3

The Lord Stands by His Messengers—The Lord would have every human intelligence in His service withhold all severe accusations and railings. We are instructed to walk with wisdom toward them that are without. Leave with God the work of condemning and judging. Christ invites us, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29). 2MCP 633.4

Every one who heeds this invitation will yoke up with Christ. We are to manifest at all times and in all places the meekness and lowliness of Christ. Then the Lord will stand by His messengers and will make them His mouthpieces, and he who is a mouthpiece for God will never put into the lips of human beings words which the Majesty of heaven would not utter when contending with the devil.—Letter 38, 1894. 2MCP 634.1

Do Not Ponder Over Tried Feelings (counsel to an executive)—Do not ponder over your tried feelings. Put these feelings aside. When you get into the path of criticism and harsh speaking, you grow more and more harsh and more inclined to criticize. Stop before you begin. Do not give the enemy one inch of ground.—Letter 169, 1902. 2MCP 634.2