Defeat Rejection for Good with God’s Promises
I gasped reading the text on my phone. The hard-to-swallow message caused a long-buried hurt to resurface, rejection. Maybe like me, you wish for an antidote to defeat rejection for good.
Although I have felt the sting of rejection throughout my life, this was a lesson from the school of hard knocks, adult education department.
Rejection happens in every stage of life.
Perhaps like me, rejection yanked the rug out from under your fragile heart too many times.
But whether people introduced us to rejection early in life, later, or both, there are promises we need to cling to whenever people reject us.
And these truths change our perspective as we compare rejection from people to acceptance from God.
(1.) Defeat Rejection for Good: Rejection is something done to me, not who I am.
Rejection leaves a hole in our soul wider than the Grand Canyon. Yet, we make the mistake of equating what is done to us as a title to wear. The actions of others should never pen the labels we stick on ourselves.
Because rejection is an action, not a person. Rejection does not make me a reject.
On the flip side, acceptance is not only an action, but also a living being—God. So there’s no need for me to have an identity crisis. I take my cue about who I am from the great I AM.
We are patterned in the image of our Creator. Accepted. Valued. Precious.
Rejection is an action, not a person. Rejection does not make 'me' a reject. So there’s no need for me to have an identity crisis. I take my cue about who I am from the great I AM. #Chosen #Belonging Click To TweetOnce I watched a movie about toys built by workers on an assembly line. Every final assembled toy passed through inspectors who stamped each “Reject” or “Accept.”
Even if people stamp us with reject-or-accept opinions, God already placed His stamp on us, “Accept.”
Rejection and acceptance first intersected on Calvary’s cross. As soon as the cross beam bearing Jesus’s outstretched arms locked in place, rejection lost the hold on our lives. Now anchored in God’s acceptance, we know who we are and who we are not.
(2.) Rejection decides not to invest in me, but my heavenly Father is all-in.
Loved ones investing in our life adds value. Yet, when others decide we’re not worth the time, attention or devotion, there’s One who invests all He has in us.
God’s invested, focused, attentive, intentional and all-in—“without restrictions” (Dictionary.com). God never limits how active He is in our lives.
We forget people are limited. So we inadvertently apply this thinking to God. But we can’t set limits on a God who always operates in the supernatural. He brings His whole-hearted devotion into our lives where human devotion falls short.
If we reflect on where we limit God, we see how our doubts play a role.
- Maybe we think He loves others, but not us.
- Perhaps we fear God will let us down.
- Or we feel like the Father is distant, mad at us or disappointed in us—all comparisons to what we experience with others.
To remedy this, we exchange our doubts with confidence in who God is—He never fails and He is always faithful. “Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:45 (ESV)
We have assurance in a God who is constant, loyal, committed, dedicated, and quite fond of me and you.
And the Lord declares, “I’m so glad you belong to Me.”
We have assurance in a God who is constant, loyal, committed, dedicated, and quite fond of me and you. And the Lord declares, "I'm so glad you belong to Me.” #Chosen #Belonging Click To Tweet(3.) Defeat Rejection for Good: Rejection chooses to abandon me; God makes a promise, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Important people not showing up in my life caused me to wish for someone to promise to stay near forever, both physically and emotionally.
Still, does anyone promise forever and really own up to it? Yes, our heavenly Father. He’s the real Promise-keeper of always and forever.
Does anyone promise forever and really own up to it? Yes, our heavenly Father. He’s the real Promise-keeper of always and forever. #Chosen #Belonging Click To TweetWhen we feel alone, we remember God is there. And the Lord never leaves us to tend to ourselves and He never checks out on us.
Defeat Rejection for Good: Declare these statements.
God wants me.
The Lord pursues me.
God stays intimately connected to me.
The Father never disowns me.
(Insert your name) And God has said, I will never leave ________ or let ________ be alone. (Hebrews 13:5b, NLV)
Which promise spoke to you or what would you add?
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Last week we discussed, An Empty Tomb for Every Empty Space.
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Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Recharge Wednesday/Let’s Have Coffee/Tune in Thursday/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth).
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Great message of hope when facing rejection. When we put our lives fully in God’s hands, we turn over any feelings of rejection to Him and He will show us true identity in Him.
Thank you, Yvonne, so true. Grateful…
God wants me.
The Lord pursues me.
God stays intimately connected to me.
The Father never disowns me.
Such an encouraging post, Karen! Rejection from others can cut deep. They look right through us, refuse to acknowledge our significance, and make us feel small and/or invisible. What a blessing to know that God sees us and loves us, sent His Son to die for us, and will never forsake us.
Thanks, Melinda. Yes, it’s a great blessing indeed.
I will never leave Melinda or let her be alone. (Hebrews 13:5b, NLV)
Especially blessed by your post this morning Ms. Karen. It’s so true; while the world may reject us, we are not of this world, we are of God; and He’ll never reject us once we’re reconciled to Him.
Amen and Amen, J.D.
I will never leave J.D. or let him be alone. (Hebrews 13:5b, NLV)
You’re right, Karen, that rejection can come to us at any point in life. The world often treats us like we’re still in ninth grade.
But God.
Thanks and God bless!
True, Nancy. I’ll never forget the first time as an adult I figured out I still had to deal with bullies. Because of this fallen world we live in, bullying, rejection, and all their cousins will try to discourage us in life. But oh for the love and acceptance of Christ!
Rejection will come at times, but I am thankful we are not rejected by the Father. Amen.
Me too, Melissa, what an awesome promise. The Lord declares, “I’m so glad you belong to Me.”
Love this! “Rejection does not make me a reject.” We must keep this truth close to our hearts at all time; because rejection surely does come no matter how old we are.
I also like the reminder that God is not going anywhere. He said He’d never leave or forsake us. So, why do we forget that?
Glad this encouraged you in some way. We do have to be reminded often of God’s promises when the enemy tries to send us in the other direction. God brings His whole-hearted devotion into our lives where human devotion falls short.
Knowing that my God will never reject me or leave me gives me hope for each new day, Karen. As we are on a long travel journey (couldn’t share specifically on my blog because Danny didn’t want to advertise that we would be away from home), I’ve already had many instances where His presence and providence have shown up powerfully at the right time and in the right place. We cannot love Him nor praise Him enough for His grace and mercy.
Blessings!
Martha, so glad you two are getting to travel together! That’s wonderful. Thanks for sharing, I love how you said, “ve already had many instances where His presence and providence have shown up powerfully at the right time and in the right place.” If we would just keep our eyes open for God’s acts of goodness and kindness all around us. The Lord never leaves us to tend to ourselves and He never checks out on us. Blessings and have a great trip!
Amen! It’s so important to remember our truth… we are beloved children of God. And like you say, rejection doesn’t make ME a reject. It’s just a “no,” or a “not yet,” is all.
Yes, remembering who we are in Christ makes all the difference in the world.
God wants me.
The Lord pursues me.
God stays intimately connected to me.
The Father never disowns me.
Another danger in experiencing rejection is that we allow it to turn us into people-pleasers. When I sense an attack of people-pleasing begin, I need to remind myself I live and serve an audience of one: I belong to my heavenly Father and He is the one I must please.
Wonderful point, Ava. It reminds me of Galatians 1:10 I committed to memory years ago. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (ESV)
The statement that resonated with me the most this morning as I read your post was the verst from Hebrews: “And God has said, I will never leave ________ or let ________ be alone.” (Hebrews 13:5b, NLV) It is such a comfort when the feeling of discouragement hits to know that He is always with me! I can count on Him to carry me through the times when I feel rejected or alone. If I were to add a statement to the list, I’d add that God loves me no matter what! That, above all, is my motivation and encouragement!
Blessings, Jo
Hi Jo, enjoyed your comment and that you added God’s promise to always love us with an eternal love…forever and always! I will never leave Jo or let her be alone. (Hebrews 13:5b, NLV) God bless!
This is such an excellent post, Karen. Filled with truth – God’s truth. I have struggled with rejection and its sting leaves a mark. I am so grateful for our faithful God who wants and pursues me!
Thank you, Joanne. Rejection is no respecter of persons.
God wants me.
The Lord pursues me.
God stays intimately connected to me.
The Father never disowns me.
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