Beautiful Rejection
Have you heard that rejection is God’s protection?
When we get rejected from something, I like to think God is working on our behalf for something better.
However, the blow of rejection can tear you down. The biggest rejection I have ever faced came unannounced in the word, “uncomfortable.” I received this news from a mutual friend of mine, on behalf of a guy. The dude was uncomfortable around me.
To be honest, I had forgotten the depth of this rejection until God reminded me of it while I was typing this post. Just typing it makes me feel completely broken, like I am half the woman I am today. But, that rejection taught me how strong I really am, what I am made of. It also showed me God’s faithfulness and His presence even in the pain.
Reject, as defined by Merriam-Webster is,
“refuse to accept, consider, submit to, take for some purpose or use.”
When someone doesn’t want to accept us, we start questioning our worth. Have you ever heard you are worth more than sparrows? To be honest that confused me until I looked up in the Bible.
“What is the price of two sparrows--one copper?” Matthew 10:29 NLT
You are worth more than one copper coin to God. You are priceless to Him.
“The very hairs on your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30a NLT
Mind blowing, right?
“So, don’t be afraid; you are worth more to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”- Matthew 10:30b
But, rejection hurts. That’s a fact.
No matter where it comes from, rejection can really beat us down. But we can decide whether to wallow in rejection or rise above it. When I heard “uncomfortable”--which still produces so many questions—I wallowed in that pain for too long. But when I realized that there was nothing I could do to change the way he felt about me, I left that heartbroken feeling at the foot of the cross, where it could be healed and transformed.
When we leave our worries and cares at the cross, beautiful things happen.
Peter wrote,
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”-1 Peter 5:7 NLT
The best way we can try to apply this verse is to have an open hand to all things. I often hold on for WAY too long and pay for it later. If we have open hands, we are also letting go of our control of life. That verse doesn’t say keep some of your worries back so you can worry over them. No, it says give ALL your worries and cares to God.
Another way to say that is, let go and let God.
Let go of your feelings about being rejected and let God control what happens next. It’s okay if that scares you because I’m not one to let things go. I struggle to let things go too. I know I need to let go and let God control things , but that’s a better thought than actually doing it. Yet, I’m working on leaving my hand open, releasing control and letting go. God always meets me there.
Rejection can be beautiful when you let go and let God.
Maybe you didn’t get into the college you wanted, or maybe that guy dumped you, or that job you had your heart set on didn’t go as smoothly as you expected--all the pain and discouragement you experience in rejection can lead to God’s best for you. He has a perfect plan for your life. And that’s beautiful.
“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”-Jeremiah 29:11 AMP
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Hannah Thomas was born and raised in Social Circle, Georgia with her three siblings. Now she lives in the woods outside of Athens, Georgia. In between writing and spending time with Jesus, she enjoys a daily walk and baking. Mary Hannah is always down for a cup of coffee no matter what the time! To find more of her writing check out her blog: https://tbdmlp.wordpress.com/