Rejection
In the year 1993, Chris Klug, a professional snowboarder, was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare, chronic, and potentially fatal bile duct disease. It wasn’t until 2000 when Klug received a liver transplant and surprisingly was back on the slopes snowboarding seven months post-surgery. He later went on to win a bronze medal in the parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Olympics, becoming the first organ transplant recipient ever to compete in the Olympics.
Chris Klug’s story is an inspiring one. It is proof of our ability to adapt in the face of adversity. His body, threatened by the presence of a new liver, had every reason to reject the lifesaving organ. However, thanks to God and the careful observation of the medical staff, this potential rejection was prevented, allowing him to continue living and achieving feats many of us can only dream of.
Yet, rejection is not only a medical phenomenon; it’s an inevitable part of human life, something we all experience in relationships, jobs, and other personal matters. Just as a body might reject a transplanted organ, we sometimes reject new or different experiences in our lives. This rejection—whether in response to a proposal, affection, or effort—can be a difficult situation where our intentions aren't reciprocated or valued.
Facing these types of rejection might seem way simpler than handling an organ rejection, but I don’t think that’s entirely true. We tend to downplay how some situations can affect our mental and physical health. Adopting an “it is what it is” mentality can often lead us to ignore our feelings, leaving wounds that don’t ever truly heal and can bleed again when a similar situation arises. That’s why it’s important to understand why we feel a certain way before dismissing the entire situation. Doing this not only helps us feel better but also incentivizes growth.
What can we do about it, then? Well, I’m a firm believer in the idea that everything happens for a reason. We might not understand it in the moment, but with time, and more opportunities to mature, we can arrive to the conclusion that adversities don’t come into our lives to destroy us, but to make us stronger. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Each person's life is unique, and we all experience different struggles. Maybe you, the reader, are going through a particularly challenging time—perhaps even more so than I am or ever will. However, I believe that thankfulness plays a critical role in achieving acceptance and tranquility. It's essential to recognize that being thankful doesn't equate to being happy. Happiness, like any other emotion, is fleeting. While it's natural to feel disoriented or lost at times, we must strive not to let our feelings paralyze us, freezing us in a moment in time.
Life's journey is filled with trials and triumphs, rejections and acceptances. As we face our own rejections and hurdles, may we find strength in knowing that these experiences shape us, allowing growth and maturity. I hope some of what I've said here has provoked thought or sparked curiosity. You may not agree with all of my ideas, and that's okay. They might even seem a bit unconventional or “crazy” to some. However, I firmly believe that we can all learn from each other's perspectives. Thank you for taking this journey with me. Until the next one.👋🏾