Overcoming Rejection
Overcoming Rejection and Ephesians 6:16,17 and more
"above all taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Ephesians 6;16,17
What a preperational verse. Also a motivating verse. So we might not be fearful, No! So we will not be fearful! Whether you are the one rejecting or being rejected, this is for you. These are things I'd love to say I've already got down to a science, but I can't. For He is still working on me as I'm sure He is you.
Let's look at rejection. It is one of those things that creeps into our lives, most often we never see it coming because we have such hope. Then wham! Rejected, and done to us by those within the Body of Christ. When it happens we are placed in a place we shouldn't be. We have an identity crisis on our hands and we aren't so sure of ourselves anymore. Previous thoughts of rejection start going through our minds. Words and situation's from another time come forth and we are on a self-destructive path with these thoughts. Maybe your rejection comes from that of a friend, a spouse, a child. It can sometimes, for some us, come from a stranger or acquaintance.
Maybe as parent's we've done the rejecting. Maybe we've rejected a loved one and allowed hope to be stolen by the enemy by what we've said. Or maybe your hope has faltered by rejection. Could be that we have unknowingly done some rejecting because we are not as sensitive to the needs of one another as we could be. All I do know is that where ever it is coming from it is wrong. Over and over you must tell yourself that rejection is not truth. Truth is the most powerful thing on earth and Truth (His Word is Truth) cannot be changed no matter what man say's, thinks, or does.
Well, I've been here and I'd admit I'm here more often than I'm even comfortable admitting. In fact I usually can become the rejecter if I'm not careful in how I respond when I'm feeling rejected. I'm here to tell you that you don't need to go down that path, replace those thoughts immediately with God thoughts! With the Truth!
Remember that the Father is with You always, and He has given us the Truth and with that Truth we are set free. He has also given us the tools in which to utilize and capture these thoughts at bay so that they don't destroy us. It is the enemy who comes to destroy us, and a Heavenly Father who comes to give life, and life abundant!
There is no doubt that rejection hurts. It hurts so bad you question whether even the people who appear to like you really do. Rejection is not of the Lord and is most assuredly not a Christ-like attribute. So let's work on some ways to overcome that "feeling" of rejection. For those that do reject cannot control you, and the victory over that "feeling" can be replaced with faith and joy. For when we are doing the rejecting, it would be well and good to remember these verses so as not to reject the Truth of His Word.
Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my Light and Salvation, whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?"
Right now maybe your thinking you deserve this because of something you did or said. But I am telling you that those thoughts are far from the truth. Rejection is not of God and in fact contradicts the very Word of God. If you have done something, said something, or acted in a way that you are less proud of, take care of it. If God so leads you, go to the person you believe you offended and ask their forgiveness. What they do with your coming is between them and the Lord. Remember their words and your words are talk, but the Word of God will never pass away.
Today choose to go to Christ Jesus for validation. Look to the Lord for who you are and who you are able to become. Mistakes happen, even to those who reject us. Because you see in that moment of rejection we are not walking in the footsteps of Jesus. We are not doing what Jesus would do. If you've ever rejected anyone, ask for forgiveness for yourself and try to make amends if possible with the one you've hurt. There can be so many lessons learned, but it's in the learning not in the beating down and quitting that we are able to bruised but not beaten!
What joy you can grasp even during these times of rejection and hurt? Allowing the Lord to teach us once again a way to improve ourselves so that His Glory can shine through. Don't allow anyone to take you away from the path to go for the gold with God. You see He is refining you with His Refiner's Fire and wants you to come forth purer than the purest gold. He desires to see His Son in us. And as someone said laterly, gold is just pavement in Heaven, but we know being refined to reflect Jesus is what God desires us to become.
Here are some Scripture verses to look up and study on your own.
Time alone in the Word is better than anything I can say here.
Eph. 1:6 You are accepted and loved.
Eph. 1:11 You are an heir with Jesus
Eph. 2:10 You are not mans project, you are God's workmanship.
Eph. 2:16 You are a new creation, each day You allow Him to mold and make you; even through trials, not just peaceful times.
Eph. 3:16 Allow the Holy Spirit to strengthen you.
Eph. 4:23 Go to Him for a renewed spirit.
Eph. 5:2 Remember to always love the rejecter. Christ does! He hates the sin not the sinner.
Romans 8:37 Because nothing can separate us from His love, we are "more than conquerors".
1 Peter 2:24 Submit to the healing.
1 John 5:4 Be victorious! Truth is victorious over rejection and fear of rejection. His Truth is victorious over all lies and all fear.
We are born again and we are free to love. We are not under the validation of others. We were born sinners and we were losers. Now we are born of God. We can be secure in the fact that He loves us. Keep yourself out of the hands of the enemy and experience His love and care for you.
Remember that everything the Lord says about you is true. Everything from the enemy is a lie. Psalm 25:10 "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies." The Lord alone knows the way we should go. He alone knows the way He is going and what He is doing.
And last but not least Philippians 4:8 "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report. If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things."
Father God right now we look to you for our approval. You knew us even before we came into this world. You alone are waiting for us to become more and more like Your Son.
Lord right now I pray for all of us who've been rejected; I'd think that would be all of us at some time in our life. Father we know that those are lies, and not the truth of who we are in You. May you protect us from any more hurt and rejection that might come our way. Father we know that we have victory through You and You alone. Help us all Father to keep our minds on things Eternal and not of this earth.
Father for the times we've done the rejecting of one in the Body, we ask for Your forgiveness. Lord we are sorry we turned our backs on those that You love. Father help those we hurt, we know that we wronged them, and we hurt not just them, but we stumbled on our walk with You. Now Lord we thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy. May we learn Lord from the example Jesus gave us. To be more sympathetic to those around us, to do what you'd have us do.. May we look beyond the surface of each person we see, and see that which You have created, a new creature in Christ!
Lord we thank You for being that Refiner's Fire that makes us better today than we were yesterday. We praise you for all the wonderful things You do for us, as undeserving as we may be, You are always with us. Thank You again for being our strength and our joy. For allowing us fresh starts and new beginnings. Thanks to You Lord we are triumphant in Christ Jesus and we are free! In Jesus's name I pray, Amen!
In His love and mine,
Choose Joy! John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
See Father's Love Letter
