Rejection

This is not easy to deal with. I’ve been rejected many times and it hurts. I’m sometimes rejected because of the position I hold or the title I have. At other times, I’m rejected because of what I’m saying or what I have said. Rejection seems to say I’m not good enough. Rejection doesn’t compliment, but sometimes it’s a blessing.  Scientist have discovered that rejection activates the same part of our brain that is activated when we feel physical pain.

I have learned through rejection to become comfortable in my own skin. I need to be ok with who I am and Whose I am. If my personal value is determined by what others think of me, I’m headed for a roller coaster ride of emotional struggle. I think social media has heightened our awareness of rejection. Our emotional state is often regulated by how many “likes” we have on a picture or a post.

Jesus went to His hometown and was rejected. It had to hurt deeply. He was secure in Who He was, so He pushed right through it. Check this out…

⁵³ When Jesus had finished telling these stories and illustrations, he left that part of the country. ⁵⁴ He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, “Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?” ⁵⁵ Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. ⁵⁶ All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.” ⁵⁸ And so he did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:53-58 NLT)

I want to grow in my trust of God.

I want to grow in who He is calling me to become.

I want to be loving and accepting of others. I don’t have to value misbehavior, but I should value each individual child of God.

I want to be keenly aware of when I’m rejecting something that the person who’s delivering the message is not being rejected. It’s easier said than done. I hate being hurt. I hate hurting others. I’m determined to be clear in communicating what adds value and what detracts value.

I’m so thankful that the Lord loves me and NEVER rejects me. He is hurt by my behavior at times, but His GRACE is relentless. I’m so thankful for His ACCEPTANCE of me! I want to love like He loves.

Pressing On!

Dwayne