“Rejection doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough. It means the other person failed to notice what you have to offer “Anonymous. God accepted us before anyone rejected us. Find out how to deal with rejection.
Everyone, if not every Christian, has experienced some form of rejection from parents, friends, colleagues, or extended relationships. We must acknowledge that Jesus experienced rejection by everyone whom He came to save, though accepted as God and by the Trinity.
John 1:11 “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him”.How we deal with the negative feelings of rejection affects our peaceful Christian life. God doesn’t want us offended, but not everyone will accept us.
Can you believe it is part of God’s plan for Jesus to experience rejection? Surprised! Yes, it is. God reveals through David in Psalms 118:22, “The stone which the builders rejected. Has become the chief cornerstone”.
Prophet Isaiah prophesied Jesus’ rejection. Isaiah 53:3“He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!”.
Rejection is not preventable, but it is solvable.
We cannot escape rejection completely, but God can see us through if we use the scriptures to deal with it.
My father rejected me nine months after I was born for reasons I still do not understand decades later. Though he accepted me again when I was 12 years old after my mother died, I still sometimes wonder “why” he did that in the first place.
However, the scripture“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close” Psalms 27:10 has been my consolation from God. He will never forsake you even if a man abandons you.
There is no logical explanation for rejection. Only God knows why.
God will always accept you. In Isaiah 49:15, “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” God’s love is unconditional towards all his creation, you inclusive.
Jesus’ earthly ministry is an example for us. Thus, the following steps are worth emulating. Since I began applying them, I have experienced an inexplicable peace of mind in all my relationships. Try it!
1. Expect rejection
Anticipate experiencing rejection. This could be from either people you have or do not have relationships with. This is the first step of healing.
Jesus warns us to expect it.“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18.
When rejected, please do not think it strange and doubt your God. Everything Jesus experienced reflects what we will share, so just copy what He did.
You cannot control how people will treat you in different situations, but you can control whether to live sour, bitter, or offended with the pain of the past. Rejection by man is not the denial by God.
1 Peter 2:4. “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for a great honour.” Believe this; it is true for you, too.
2. Choose to be with those who accept you
You cannot force people to accept you always. Strangely, sometimes the most hurtful rejections are those from our closest family relatives, friends, or spouses.
Joseph experienced rejection and abandonment. Sadly, his biological brothers sold him. He decided to forgive them and reconciled with them years later, but his career/ministry advanced. He worked with integrity and maintained trustworthy relationships with all the Egyptians he met. Gen 37-50.
If you try to reconcile and maintain a good relationship with those, who rejected you but do not want to accept you, switch your focus to other people. Yes-change your company without bearing grudges against those who rejected you.
Mark 6:4-6 “4 But Jesus words to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching”.
Decide to invest your time in those who need your support, and continue showing love towards everyone you meet.
Jesus never stopped His purpose because his closest people rejected him.
3. Pray for those who rejected you
This is the most unlikely thing anyone will like to do given how painful rejection can be. I agree. It is difficult, but I found peace with God and man since I started applying this principle to all my friends and close relatives who rejected me.
The hurt can change our lives, but we must choose to push it to the positive side.
Jesus, on the cross with all the pains, prayed for God to forgive all human beings for rejecting him. Luke 23:34. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots.”
It is even ironic that Jesus, even as God, felt rejected by God. “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).” Mat 27:46. What a complex paradox! That says everyone hates rejection, the devil uses rejection, but God loves you regardless.
You probably just said I don’t understand the gravity of the pain you felt! Yes, I acknowledge I cannot fully understand your pain because I did not experience the exact situation you went through. But I know that even though all cases are not the same, we can imitate Jesus by letting go of the hurt.
I encourage you to forgive and pray for those who have rejected you. Be open like God to accept them lovingly if they repent but refuse to condemn them. James 2:13 “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
There are millions of testimonies of those who dealt with rejection. You are no exception. Thus, I admonish you to expect rejection even as a Christian. However, decide to move on with your purpose. Lastly, wholeheartedly pray for those who rejected you. We have to refuse not to give up.
