It's bound to happen to you. You won't escape it. There is not a person on the planet that won't feel at some point in life the sting of being cast aside. Even Christ, God Himself, has familiarity with this phenomenon. One of these days {if it hasn't happened already} you will be rejected.
For me, I have lived a lifetime of rejection that has arrived from many different avenues. Sometimes it was family. Or friends. Or fellow Christians. Other times it was potential employers. Regardless of the source, it can sting, especially when we put our hope in that relationship or position. There can be as many different reactions to rejection as well. I know in the past I have felt sadness, anger, anxiety, depression, and even disdain for those that did the rejecting.
The beauty of experiencing rejection {yes, there is beauty in it!} is that we begin to walk in Christ's shoes. We can start to understand what He went through for us...being rejected by the very ones who were supposed to accept Him {the religious community}, He found His niche among the outcasts because He was an outcast Himself.
I get the outcast. Over the past few years I have had a "starring role" as the unwanted one. A few weeks ago, a dear friend wrote to me,
"Dear Debbie, I think you are a wonderful and beautiful daughter of God. I see His power and grace in you. I see you winning over the rejection you've been given. I see you as strong and rooted in His unfailing love. I love you and respect you 100%."
To a person who has been rejected over and over again, her words brought life to my soul, but her words also got me to thinking. How do we become rooted in His unfailing love? When the world rejects how can we be strong? If mere men will reject us, does it give us any hope that God will accept who we are?
God's Word is filled with Christ's rejection experience and also words of acceptance. When rejection strikes we can go to what God says about us. We can rest in the fact that we have a fellow sufferer in Christ. He gets the heartache of rejection. Time and again I have ran to His Word to battle the angst of rejection.
7 Useful Verses When Dealing with Rejection
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. John 15:18
We will never be able to trump Jesus. What He endured is the ultimate in rejection. Think about it. You are God, and in the eyes of those around you you aren't enough. Now that's rejection!
Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Psalm 27:10
We can even experience rejection in some of the most important relationships in life and still be accepted by God. We never really will experience total rejection. God in His grace will always deem us worthy.
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:16
Our God doesn't write us on His hands. He ENGRAVES us {perhaps our names?} on His hands {perhaps with nails?}. The relationship is permanent. His love for us will not be undone.
But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares. Jeremiah 30:17
I seriously think that God loves the underdog, the outcasts, and the "throw-aways" of this world. It is because we are outcasts that He seeks to restore us to a position of health. Rejection causes deep wounds, but God desires to heal those gashes in our hearts.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
I used to think that the answer to the question "If God is for us, who can be against us?" was "plenty of people"! Sometimes the whole world can be against you {or at least it feels that way}, but the real answer to the question is this: If God is for you, it doesn't matter who is against you. God has the final say in your worth, and He declares you worthy!
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
You may feel condemnation from others. Actually, rejection and condemnation tend to go hand in hand, but the reality is if God doesn't condemn then you are not condemned. End of story.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Isaiah 43:4-5
We are precious. Honored. Loved. And remember when I said that rejection can cause anxiety? God says don't be afraid. The world may walk away from you, but He is not going anywhere.
Are you needing more Verses of Hope? Check out my ongoing list for 2015 of verses that can give hope.
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6 comments:
Hi Debbie,
This is such timely encouragement for me. Rejection is hard, and it is sometimes easy to sink quick when it comes. Thank you for sharing these encouraging verses to remind us of who does not reject us - ever. I am thankful for the friend who sent you the encouragement you needed! That overflow is blessing us all today as we remember to be rooted in His unfailing love. Thank you for sharing, and by the way - you are His precious treasure. I just love that He calls us precious!! Blessings to you!!
Michelle-Thanks for stopping by! Yes, rejection can be a hard thing to live with, but I am so thankful that God never rejects! I am glad that this was an encouragement to you!
I've pinned this. I need this as a reminder. I feel rejected from time to time, more so lately though. These verses are amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Leslie, for stopping by! Thankful that this was helpful to you.
Thank you for this post! I was browsing Pinterest and saw this and knew I needed to click over to find comfort from the Word. Today I experienced rejection by a group I just became a part of (out of necessity). It really hurt and I am extra sensitive to that tender place right now. Reading this encouraged me!
Arabah- I will definitely be praying for you! Rejection stings and takes awhile to heal. Praying that God will comfort you with His love!
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