“One of the most powerful ways to inoculate yourself from the poison of Resistance is to depersonalize your work. . . . When Resistance pulls up a chair and starts its insults, respond with this attitude: You can tell me my work is terrible and it’s going nowhere and it’s all a waste. But I don’t care since it wasn’t my idea in the first place. I’m just doing what I was told to do.”- Jennifer Fulwiler (emphasis author’s)
Today, Jennifer Fulwiler concludes Chapter 7 of Your Blue Flame. She stresses two ways exist to think of your blue flame. You choose to view your blue flame as something God gives to you. Or something that only comes from within you. Hence, Jennifer provides this example:
“[It’s] like the difference between having a friend let you borrow her Ferrari and owning one yourself. If it is borrowed, you’re not going to feel self-conscious about showing it off. You can proudly drive it around without seeming egotistical. You treat it with awe and respect. Most importantly, you won’t take it personally if someone says it’s an ugly color. You didn’t choose it; it was just a gift.”
However, Jennifer counsels, sometimes a healthy voice from your conscience tells you to set your blue flame aside. Perhaps the voice even comes from God. But the main thing to look out for consists of messages with the exact opposite tone of Resistance. Therefore, these positive messages enable you to feel encouraged, united, and valued.
Finally, at times you may sense that it’s time to let go of one blue flame and ignite another. That happened to five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin. When her swimming career ended due to injury, she made the difficult decision to move on. Because swimming consisted of more than her blue flame. Swimming filled her entire life.
Yet, Missy stayed positive when her dream ended. She found new passions where she felt like she could make a difference. As a result, Missy stopped seeing her injury as a setback. Instead, she viewed it as an adventure.
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you inoculate yourself from the poison of Resistance? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Toxic clouds of shame – clear them”
