Many times in my life, I’ve faced the cold hand of rejection. This unwelcome feeling hurts most when its source is one you’ve placed your hope in. Whether it’s a rejection letter from a job or the betrayal of an unfaithful spouse, the pain has the power to manifest a wave of self-blame. We ask ourselves what we could’ve done better to avoid this?
Why Rejection?
The truth for all of us, however, is mercifully simple: the injury of being rejected by another doesn’t say anything about who you are.
They didn’t reject you because you weren’t good enough. You are good enough. In the first book of Samuel, Samuel is disheartened because he feels rejected by the nation of Israel who demands for a new king to rule over them. He took this rejection personally, but God comforts him by saying, “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). Israel’s desire for a new ruler had nothing to do with Samuel’s leadership and everything to do with their unfaithfulness to their King in heaven. This same sentiment is echoed in the words of Jesus spoken in Luke 10:16, “He who rejects you rejects Me.”
Some things we aren’t meant to take personally, but that doesn’t take away the fact that rejection still hurts. Rather than sinking into a world of unkind thoughts we speak over ourselves, we can choose instead to move forward in a way that acknowledges we are not in control of or at fault for someone else’s decisions or actions. This is especially true where abuse is present: you are not at fault or to blame for their decision to be abusive.
Our Comfort
And the most comforting truth? God, the Creator and Maker Himself, does not reject you. In fact, He ADORES you and accepts you completely as His beautiful child. He looks over you with such love in His eyes. He is proud of you and who you’ve become. You can walk freely knowing you are chosen and loved.
Here is where we can find healing.
by Alicia
Hi Jaz,
Thank you for writing this uplifting article. It really resonated with me and spiritually nourished me. Thank you for sharing the scriptures of 1 Samuel and Luke. I hardly ever read 1 Samuel… I should read Old Testament more often. Now this comforting truth will repeat in my head, not disheartening thoughts. It means a whole lot to me reading this. I really needed that. It made me realize while I’m busy beating myself up, I don’t notice Jesus is standing there looking at me with loving eyes that say he is proud of me and who I have become. What deeply touched me was when you wrote how he adores and accepts me, a reject, as his beautiful child. What an incredibly kind, loving God we serve! It inspires me to depend on Him more to value me, not humans 🤷🏾♀️
May the Lord richly Bless You and Happy Holidays 🎄