Rejected and Accepted

Have you faced a lot of rejections in the past, almost given up.. but continued and accepted the challenge???

Source: https://www.saleshacker.com/overcoming-sales-rejection/

Maybe you are like me..who experienced several rejections before but I persevered and accepted every challenge that came my way. 

It was in 2012 when our project is about to end in 6 months. I sent a lot of resumes online. Every morning at the office, I always check emails and the website if there are replies. 

One day, I checked my email and there were positive responses. Alas! I was accepted for job interviews. I was very excited and prepared for the interviews. First, I was interviewed by a national government agency after passing several exams, I had fun during the interviews and the panel members were very friendly. The chair of the panel said to me “Ms. Hinlo, you put here in your personal data sheet that you are a Visayan Vocal Solo Champion during college, can we hear a sample from you?.” I paused for a bit and looked at them with astonishment. My hands were shaking and my voice my trembling. And I said, oh my gosh.. why did I put that information in my sheet... I totally forgot that I put it there.

“Sir, will I sing it today, sir.?” And He answered, “Yes, of course”.. and I said, with a deep breath, “Okay, sir”.. Anyways, I need to nail this and sang my piece. “Ania si Rosas Pandan, gikan pa intawon sa kabukiran.. kaninyo makig-uban sa maanindot na kalingawan…” and after I finish the song, all of them laughed and I heard a loud clap. “Anyway, thank you Ms. Hinlo for your time”. “Thank you very much.” When I was about to leave the room, I overheard their conversations, saying that this girl is great!

I was hoping to get the job, but I did not receive any call from them. And I just learned that they already hired someone for the job. I was kind of disappointed because that was my dream job. Maybe they were turned off by my golden voice.. 

Anyway, I had to move forward to attend my second job interview in an international development firm, which focused on agro-enterprise projects. It was a panel interview, with a lot of foreign members. During the interview, I was asked about a certain terminology about agriculture and I was not able to elaborate. I was not confident and was not able to answer fluently. And I just said…”Yes, that’s a great idea, sir. I think that would also help the project.” But seeing the faces of the panel members, their eyebrows were raised, and they all looked at me.. I felt ashamed and almost melted in front of them…” “I just want to jump off the window to go out of that building. Because I cannot take this embarrassment anymore. Well, I expected to be rejected. I applied in again in several private companies, and the same response I was “REJECTED NOT ACCEPTED.”

For the remaining days that my contract will end, I was worried because I didn’t get any of the jobs that I applied for. How will I pay my bills for the next months??? And, one day I received a call from a former schoolmate in college. And he told me “Jen, are you available this semester to teach at USeP?”. When I heard about this, I'm not sure if I would say yes because I was not sure that I am fit for teaching. Secondly, I was hesitant to apply part-time first because the salary is usually delayed. I was not able to respond right away. But when I heard that we had a severance pay. I thought that maybe this money would be enough for 2 months, even if the salary is delayed. Maybe I will give teaching a try and let’s see what will happen. So I took the risk, I called him again and said. “Yes, I will accept the job offer.” After that, I was relieved and felt amazed at how I worked hard for all my job applications, and I just received a job offer without sending an application yet. After all the rejections, I'm glad that I am the one to accept the job offer in 2012. 

Today, on my tenth-year anniversary in my job here at here University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), I am very thankful for the opportunity given to me and I am forever grateful to my friend for giving me this chance. For this blessing, I realized during those times of job hunting, I kept on worrying and was not trusting God that there will be the destined job for me. I remembered a verse shared by our Pastor about the sermon on the mount by Jesus in Matthew 6:31 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’   But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you.”  

Source:https://daily-bible-verse.net/matthew6-31.html

I will not worry anymore about rejection, because this is a sign from God that He has prepared something better and more special for you.. Those job rejections were not meant for me, God has prepared my path to become the teacher that I am today.

No matter how many times you stumble and fall, you will always stand up and move forward. 

No matter how many storms pass your way, there is always a rainbow shining upon you.

No matter how many doors are closed, there is always a door made for you to open.

Just have the 3Ps….be Patient.. Persevere.. Proceed….wait for your right moment.. and everything you worked hard for, will be given to you….

I am Jennifer Hinlo, rejected several times, but now I’m always ready to accept whatever comes my way..

Jenny's Daily Journey (JDJ): How strong is your faith?

Are you faithful? Are you obedient? Can you commit to trust God, no matter what the circumstances are? These questions are hard to answer. The expected answer is "Yes", but can you lived up to it? Are you willing to sacrifice, even if it is uncertain and there are risks along the way? 

But one man is worth emulating for his outstanding faith. He was Abraham, the "Father of all Nations", where God promised that his descendants will be like stars in the sky. He had done so many and has proven his faithfulness and obedience to God.

In Hebrews 11:8, it was written that "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called out to go out to a place that we was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going (ESV)."  Abraham indeed said "Yes" to God, without hesitation, without question, without doubts, without fears... He just said "Yes" right away and lives up to it from start until the end. Can we also be like him? Willing to go beyond what is expected? Willing to sacrifice worldly things? Willing to be hurt? Willing to fail? Willing to cry? 

Abraham's great faith and obedience to God, was put to the test. In Hebrews 11:17 it says, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son." Can we do that, if we are told by God to sacrifice our only child? I guess it's hard for us to say "Yes" and doubt God about His plans. However, Abraham has no inch of hesitation and do what God told him to do. He trusted God more than anything else in this world. He learned that God only tested and it was proven how faith and obedience of Abraham blessed him more and became the "Father of All Nations."

Indeed, faith and obedience is part of our daily lives, we have the choice to say "Yes" or "No". But if God tells you to do what you think is impossible.....do it! God has a purpose for everything. Just let him communicate with you in prayer. 

Now, how can we apply this in out daily lives? Every time, you are in doubt, pray always and ask God's guidance in your decision making. It's hard to do but we can do it if we have strong faith and obey God's commandments. Start by asking yourself, is this aligned with God's teachings? Is this the right way to live? Aside from that, for you to be fully equipped with God's teachings, always read the bible daily. Be fully aware about the gospel, because this is our guide in living the righteous way. We need to have a strong foundation in God's word, because this is our keystone in Christian lives.

How strong is your faith? You are the one who determines the strength of your faithfulness and obedience to God. Be prepared. Read. Pray. Share. (RPS) Everything can be prepared if you have strong faith. Amen!

USeP Family Day Dance

Moving Forward

 “The truth is unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.” These lines from the book of Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You (Reflections on Life and the Human Experience), struck me as an apt way to introduce myself. Because I have encountered many challenges in life and I have survived it all. Tonight, I am here to share with you my story about how I moved forward in life and how my life was changed through my faith in Jesus Christ Our Saviour. 

I am Jennifer Erazo Hinlo, 33 years old, married with 3 daughters. I am a college instructor. I joined toastmasters to enhance my public speaking and leadership skills.  

I was born in Lucena, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, during the time of the EDSA Revolution when there was a plebiscite election in 1986. I grew up in Davao City and studied here from kindergarten to college. As a student, I was very competitive and received some special awards during that time. A lot of people expected me to be perfect. The obedient daughter, an excellent student and a friendly and caring neighbor. But, I was so pressured to live up to their expectations. I was afraid to fail. 

One month after my college graduation, I was able to have a job in 2007. While working, my parents expected me to provide for the family and help my brother financially to pursue his studies. All was well, but only one year after working, my parents' dream for me, to give them a better life, was shattered. Because in 2008, I got pregnant and got married at age of 22. Being a young mom, who is just starting a career, it’s a daily struggle to provide for the daily needs of your family. Because given that I have a family of my own, I am still supporting my parents and brother. With these expenses, I incurred debts in order to support our needs. One debt to another - I had applied for loans to pay for my other loans. This has resulted in a cycle of debt trap. It was not easy to let go of debts because I was working on a negative cash flow, because of spending beyond my means. 

Because of this, I was so consumed with the problems I faced at work and at home. I was so stressed. I struggled financially, emotionally, psychologically, physically, and spiritually. To make ends meet, my husband and I had part-time jobs on the weekends. With all of this work, I had sacrificed my time with my family, friends, and in going to church. I was so tired and wanted to give up, but I can’t. I need to work hard because if I will stop working we will not survive. 

In order to pay for all our debts and to live with our daily expenses, I need to search for greener pastures. Because of this, I resigned from my first job and work in another organization with twice the salary that I was receiving. I was very happy because, with this higher income, I can gradually pay my debts. But in 2011, a few months after the birth of my second child, our house was burned by a big fire. All of our belongings were turned into ashes. I was so devastated and I can’t think of ways on how to start all over again.  I was very worried and I do not know how to start our lives again. 

At this lowest point of my life, I don’t know where to go, where to lean on, and where to ask for help. But as I keep on searching for solutions, I kept on asking myself, Why me Lord? Why me?. Just in time when I ask the Lord why.., my high school classmate visited me at my house and shared to me the gospel. At first, I was hesitant to listen. But he shared a verse from the Bible, that changed my life forever. It was a verse from Matthew 6: 25-27” 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

After hearing this verse, I was crying and I realized that all the answers to my questions are in the bible. This bible, which was already dirty, with a lot of dust and just stored on the shelves (without reading it),  is the source of wisdom of God’s teachings. If only, I dwelled on these biblical teachings before, I could have had a different lens in looking at my life… If I have only put my trust in God, all of my worries and fears will go away. I could have seen a different perspective and find solutions with a prayer. But it’s never too late, to accept Jesus, as my Lord and Saviour. 

After that encounter, I put God first in everything that I do. I had morning devotionals and started my day by reading a verse from the bible and meditate on it daily. These verses are the sources of my strength, energy, and knowledge every day, as I live my life honoring Him. I am fully equipped to face the day with God’s words.

“Study the past if you would define the future”, as what Confucius said. Today, as I look back to my past experiences I was able to look forward to the future with a big smile. Today, I was able to eliminate our debts (one by one) gradually. Furthermore, we were able to change our spending habits and save for our own house. Indeed, God will always provide. You don’t have to worry, you just need to put all your trust in Him, and He will give it to you as long as you ask Him. 

Persistence is the ability to keep moving forward, in spite of difficulties.”, as Byron Pulsifer said. Therefore, with these past experiences, I have learned that the key to survival in the different challenges in life, is to have a strong faith in God. Let me end with this verse from Proverbs 3:5-6,  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight.

Jenny's Daily Journey (JDJ): Obedience in Discipleship

Source: jeffdavis.blog

One way that we can be ministers of the good news is to become disciples of God's teachings. We are called to become servant leaders, willing to share the gospel with everyone. As we walk in faith as believers of Christ, how can we exercise our obedience to God in the area of discipleship? We can take note of the following points to ponder as a guide in our discipleship journey.

Being obedient and always available is essential in the ministry. In 2 Timothy 2:2, it was written "And you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men  who will be able to teach others also." All of us have a lot of priorities in life, we have to finish our household chores, meet the deadlines at work, submit all requirements in school, visit a friend, have time with family and the list goes on. Every day we are bombarded we a lot of tasks to accomplish and yet, we do not dedicate time for sharing the gospel to others. As Dr. David Schwartz said in his book "The Magic of Thinking Big", there is a disease called "excusitis", the failure disease, we make a lot of excuses every time we are called to serve. As he emphasized in this book, "There is no excuse for excuses."  If you really want something you will find a way to do it, but if it's not, you make a lot of excuses why you can't do it.  If we want to evangelize a community it requires commitment and if it's absent you will not learn how to lead another person to our Lord Jesus Christ. Even if you are busy, a true desire for discipleship will be demonstrated by working schedules so this can take place. 

The involvement of the Holy Spirit is very important. In Psalm 127:1, it was conveyed that "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor it in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." In everything that we do in discipling, it is not worthwhile if we do not have the Holy Spirit present in our midst. We recognize that any discipling ministry, individual or corporate, must have the Holy Spirit at the center of their journey to be effective. Our strategies, materials, knowledge, skills, and attitudes may be excellent, but without the Holy Spirit, everything will be fruitless. With His presence, everything will succeed and failure will not be an option. One plants the seed, other waters. God alone gives the increase! His involvement and leadership is an absolute necessity. 

Prayer is effective. Prayer is a necessity is doing the ministry. We should be diligent and fervently pray to those we are ministering to and to others we plan to reach out as well. They need our prayers. We can give them full support in this action.  Prayer is the way we communicate with God and ask for His guidance in doing the ministry. In everything that we do, we should always pray and asks direction, because He will lead us to the right path always. 

Today, in our 6th day of prayer and fasting, we can start sharing the gospel and also tell them your real-life experiences on how you received Christ as you Lord and Savior. From there, you can establish a connection to people, from your profound personal stories of hope, love, patience, understanding, faith, perseverance, and trust to God. Gradually, we can harness our skills and become true disciples of God. Let's start planting seeds now and reap the fruit of our labor in the future, by engaging, equipping, encouraging, and edifying one another.