Overcoming the Hurt of Rejection
He was the last one picked at recess. The two captains argued back and forth about whose team the new kid would be on until one reluctantly gave in and said, “Fine, I guess we are stuck with the newbie.” Timmy left school that day feeling like he did not have a friend in the world. Third graders can be cruel at times.
She had worked long hours over the past few weeks getting things ready for the quarterly staff meeting. The room was full of corporate executives and senior managers from out of state. At the end of her presentation, one of the supervisors informed her that she had not adequately met expectations and that her position would be terminated immediately. Suzanne felt as though upper management had intentionally blacklisted her from advancing in the company.
They had only been married for two years when his wife sat him down and told him she did not love him anymore. She promised him there were no acts of adultery committed, but there was another man in the picture. She wanted to separate right away and file for divorce. Robert and Claire had been sweethearts since high school; he had no idea how he would put the pieces back together.
Rejection can occur at any given stage in life. Relationships end, dreams fail, careers falter, marriages crumble, children leave, ministries wane, and friends walk away. Rejection has the cunning ability to convince us that we are not good enough, that our inadequacies cannot meet the standards of others. Rejection hurts so deeply because it leaves us feeling abandoned by those we love.
There is reassurance in rejection.
During such times, we may think that no one understands; we may even lose our sense of purpose, identity, or belonging. Jesus, however, knows the pain. He was rejected by family, friends, country, and even His closest disciples. He not only understands us, but He accepts us into His family. Our identity is not determined by those who depart, but rather by the One Who promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
There is redirection in rejection.
Your rejection may very well be God’s redirection in your life. In the Old Testament, Joseph was rejected by his brothers, by Potiphar, and by those in prison. From an earthly perspective, it seemed as though he was being mistreated at every turn; but from a heavenly perspective, God was navigating and redirecting his course to a greater good, to a greater purpose. Though rejection hurts for a season, its ultimate design is to bring you to a place where others appreciate your value and worth.
There is reconnection in rejection.
Lost jobs, lost relationships, lost bonds, and lost dreams are portals into new ones. Rejection is the gateway to reconnect your life. An oak tree cannot grow to its full potential in a five-gallon bucket. If it is going to prosper, it must be relocated and replanted somewhere else. If God allows you to experience rejection, He means it for your growth and for His glory.
Excerpt from The Overcomer’s Journal. Click here for more information.
