Some things in life you just have to get used to. Like sleazy politicians for example. They’ll always exist, and the best you can do – if you live in their constituency – is wait for the next election and vote for the other guy hoping he is a bit less corrupt. Tough choice.

Another thing you must get used to in life is rejection. You may be the most likeable, competent person on the planet and still get rejected. What you mustn’t do is take it personally.

A wise, faultless teacher who suffered a lot of rejection had this to say to his students about how to deal with it: “When you enter a town, if you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shake the dust off your feet, shrug your shoulders and move on.”

Contrary to this advice, many people tend to collect and accumulate the dust of rejection on them for years. Before they know it, they’re covered in it. They become shy, bitter, resentful, afraid to try new things, suspicious of everyone and everything, and walk around head down as if they’re carrying the world on their shoulders. Truth is, they are.

Every time you get rejected and don’t shake the dust off your feet, you pile up the dust of negativity from other people on yourself. Unless you change, my advice to you is get a big truck because you’ll need a lot of room to store and carry all that dust.

That wise teacher, better known as Jesus, knew that you can’t avoid rejection in life. But He also knew that the best reaction you can give it is to shake it off and move on. There’s always another town.

Do yourself a favor today. Forgive everyone who has ever rejected you or treated you badly, tell yourself it’s no big deal, and move on with your life.

And don’t be surprised if after you’ve done it you feel a ton lighter. Where did all that dust go?

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