Think Again!

Chapter 15: Producing God’s ROI: Adapt to Win • 139

met with a firm, “Over my dead body!” Embracing obscurity means releasing whatever has made you well known up to this point.

Condition 3: Releasing Bitterness The third condition of embracing obscurity is to forgive others and not see them as enemies. When you refuse to forgive others, your mind is enslaved to bitterness. This is why Jesus taught us to pray that God would forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us (Matt. 6.12). If you believe that others are blocking your potential or stifling your goals, you can lose sight that God is still in control. You may think, “My leaders are shortsighted, my parents don’t understand, my boss is jealous, my spouse is dragging me down. The old-timers at work shut down new ideas, and the young people don’t respect the wisdom of elders. The board is out of touch, and the task force is misguided.” Is the Lord really so weak that he can’t overcome these challenges? Is he unaware of your frustration? Is he asleep on the job? Without question, you are affected by the decisions of others, but they are not the ones holding you back. There is only one person who can destroy your future. That person is you . You are the only one who can sabotage your potential by nurturing a bitter spirit. 76 You can decide to joyfully trust God in spite of your frustration. Embracing obscurity is to rest in his love, take on boring and thankless tasks, and release bitterness. Embracing obscurity is to take up your cross, as Jesus commanded (Matt. 16.24). The way of Jesus is obscurity first, exaltation second. Good-Friday crucifixion comes first, Easter-Sunday resurrection comes later. The obscurity of the cross was Jesus’s way, and the way for you too.

When you sow in obscurity, you will reap in recognition. When you humble yourself under God’s mighty hand, he will lift you