This is the fourth entry in our series on dealing with rejection.

One of the biggest paradoxes of feeling hurt is that everyone experiences it, but when you’re going through it, you feel totally alone.

This happens to every great writer, leader, and artist. Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, and Steve Jobs all faced rejection or failure at some point. But they persisted. They were resilient. They had the right attitude. They kept at it until their dreams became reality.

Did you really think success was going to come so easily? Not a chance. The trials you are going through are shaping and molding you for something greater down the road. But you won’t be able to handle that success unless you are ready for it.

If you can’t properly handle the times you feel down, you won’t be able to handle the times when you are on top. Both experiences call for disciple, focus, and persistence.

Lincoln would have never been able to handle the pressure of being President if he hadn’t gone through all the trials and rejection in his younger years. In the same way, your today is preparing you for your tomorrow. So, pay attention and get focused because your big day is coming.

Daily Question: Think about a trial or some rejection you are experiencing right now. How might it be preparing you for what is ahead?