Rejection: 3 Truths to Overcome the Lies
I fought the urge to gasp while reading her text on my phone. The hard-to-swallow message caused a long-buried hurt to suddenly resurface. Rejection.
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—to little girls, teen girls, and grown girls.
Almost like I was an experiment in a lab or a reality show. Will she survive rejection as a woman? Stay tuned for the results.
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 three truths 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. We replace lies with truth.
(1.) 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. #rejection #acceptance Share on XOnce 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 attempt to stamp us with reject-or-accept opinions, God already placed His stamp on us. It always has and always will read, “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.
Like we discussed in last week’s post, loved ones investing in our lives 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.” #rejection #acceptance Share on X(3.) 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. #rejection #acceptance Share on XWhen 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. Declare these statements out loud.
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 truth spoke to you or what would you add?
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Literacy Musings/Tell His Story/Purposeful Faith/Recharge Wednesday/Worth Beyond Rubies/Tune in Thursday/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected/Candidly Christian and Faith On Fire.
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Great words on our identity here – spoke to my heart – thank you.
You’re welcome, Sharon. “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).
Rejection will come and rejection will go. Let’s remember we are never rejected by God. He loves us forever.
True, Melissa. Rejection can happen to us in every season of life. But God is a stable rock of assurance and acceptance.
What a comfort it is to know that we are fully and totally accepted by our heavenly Father, Karen. He will never leave us or forsake us as other humans might, and too often, do. Our God is faithful!
Blessings!
Isn’t it a comforting truth, Martha. People don’t define us. Rejection never defined who we are! And I take my cue about who I am from the great “I AM.”
Need this today. Thanks Karen. Blessings to you!
Wonderful, Penny! Blessings to you! And remember, God brings His whole-hearted devotion into our lives where human devotion falls short.
Wonderful truths shared in this post. In Christ, we are never rejected by God.
Thanks, J.D. God’s the real Promise-keeper of always and forever.
I think I’ve gotten to the place where man’s or woman’s rejection no longer bothers me. I see it as God’s protection and their loss. My people, the ones who will accept me and love me while challenging me to grow now have room to find me.
Good wisdom on how to view rejection from humans, Yvonne. This is gold: “I see it as God’s protection and their loss. My people, the ones who will accept me and love me while challenging me to grow now have room to find me.”
I absolutely love this strong statement: “Rejection is an action, not a person.” God loves us. In HIm we find our real worth!
Agree, Jessica. Who we are and our worth is found in the heavenly Father. He never leaves us to tend to ourselves and He never checks out on us.
Encouraging, thoughtful words. Thank you
Glad this encouraged you, Mandy. 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 are not rejection! Amen!
A thousand Hallelujahs, Lynn!
Great word for all of us Karen! Knowing who we are in Christ and that we are approved and accepted by Him can help us live from a posture of loving acceptance rather than looking for validation that we are not lovable or acceptable. Many in the church suffer from this inadequate sense of self that they in turn never seek the intimacy of the Father because of a shame based low self esteem. Praise God there are ministers and pastors wives like yourself that can help many to live in freedom and knowledge of how much they are loved by God. I hope many find healing waters from this super word!
Valerie, always appreciate your words of encouragement and your insight on the subject at hand. Declare these statements out loud.
God wants me.
The Lord pursues me.
God stays intimately connected to me.
The Father never disowns me.
And God has said, I will never leave Valerie or let her be alone. (Hebrews 13:5b, NLV).
This is one of the post beautiful sentences I’ve ever read, Karen: “As soon as the cross beam bearing Jesus’s outstretched arms locked in place, rejection lost the hold on our lives.” You’ve captured the reality to what Jesus suffered and have tied it to our deepest hurting places when we are rejected. Beautifully written, sister!
Aw, thank you for your kind encouragement, Melinda. I appreciate you! I’m grateful for the work on the cross to loosen many holds on us, including rejection. Now anchored in God’s acceptance, we know who we are and who we are not.
Ditto what Melinda Inman wrote:
“This is one of the post beautiful sentences I’ve ever read, Karen: ‘As soon as the cross beam bearing Jesus’s outstretched arms locked in place, rejection lost the hold on our lives.'”
And what I love most about it is that we can substitute many other words in place of “rejection.”
Hi Ava, I thought about the same thing, many substitues could be used instead of rejection in that sentence and ring just as true. Thanks!
I really like the thought that rejection is something done to me not who I am. That is a great way to look at our feelings that come when we feel rejected. When I hear the negative thoughts about myself fill my mind, I will remember your words of advice. Thanks Karen.
Yvonne, 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.
I love all these truths, but this stood out to me: “Rejection is something done to me, not who I am.” It’s so easy to go from rejection to feeling like a reject. But no matter who else does or doesn’t accept us, God did when we turned to Him in repentance and faith–blessed truth!
Yes, Barbara! Even if people attempt to stamp us with reject-or-accept opinions, God already placed His stamp on us. It always has and always will read, “Accept.”
The source of all our fears?
“We forget people are limited. So, we inadvertently apply this thinking to God.”
So profound!
Nancy, grateful we can’t set limits on a God who always operates in the supernatural.
Karen, your words are ointment on a gaping scar that continuously tears open every time I think it’s begun to heal. I have no other words, but this one line will soften that scab until one day it will bleed no more:
Rejection is something done to me, not who I am.
Oh, Valerie, your comment brought tears to my eyes.
I often tell the Lord, I would never have chosen rejection as part of my testimony. I even tell Him I have enough hardships to this point in my life to help others who come after me. Yet, because the Lord’s sovereignty allows it, I ask for the strength to share so others might benefit from what I have walked through.
So, you see, your comment is a confirmation the Lord is doing just that!
I can so relate to your post, a beautiful reminder. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Lorrie.
And God has said, I will never leave Lorrie or let her be alone. (Hebrews 13:5b, NLV)
I faced a hard rejection over the last few months of someone I thought cared about me. These words were a soothing balm to my wounded heart.
Oh, Rebecca, I’m so sorry. Same! I think those hard rejections that catch us off guard are the very ones the Lord uses to teach us the most about His acceptance.
“Rejection is something done to me, not who I am.” – What a great thought to remember. Thank you! Rejection never feels good, and yet we must keep our perspective when it happens. I am going to have to keep repeating your words above until it sinks in. Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Link-Up. Maree
Rejection feels anything but good, right?! Especially when it comes from those who are supposed to love and accept us…the way the Lord intended. So thankful the Lord is fully devotion with devotion from others shortfalls. Thank you, Maree dee.
I really can’t imagine why anyone would reject you, Karen! You strike me as such a sweetheart! But yes! I love each and every one of these truths you’ve mined for us. God does accept and LOVE us so much–more than anyone ever could! These are the truths I will be clinging to today, especially when I feel that sting of rejection. Hugs and prayers for you, my friend!
Aw, thank you, Beth. And that’s one thing I’ve learned about rejection, it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the other person. Rejection never shows favortism but touches everyone at some point in life. Thank goodness and thank God He accepts us totally and completely.
Such truth, my friend! I’m remembering these truths the next time one of my students gets dejected because they think they’ve been rejected. We have to build new neural pathways to the truth, and repeating God’s promises is a great way to start!
This is good, Anita: “We have to build new neural pathways to the truth, and repeating God’s promises is a great way to start!” Yes! “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).
Rejection is such a real thing for all of us! Thank you for this Divinely centered guidance on this topic. Visiting today from the Purposeful Faith link up. Have a beautiful day!
Hi Marielle, thank you for your encouraging comment. Even if people attempt to stamp us with reject-or-accept opinions, God already placed His stamp on us. It always has and always will read, “Accept.”
What a beautiful reminder! Thank you for sharing your heart. Rejection is an ugly word, but God can erase it if we allow Him to.
Rejection is an ugly word, never thought about it before, but it’s true! On the other hand, acceptance is such a beautiful and powerful word because it originates from God himself!
Karen,
I’m right there with you, Karen, having been rejected by some key people in my life. It can be a hard hurdle to overcome. I’m so thankful that when I asked God to help me accept the truth that He’s not going anywhere, He was faithful to oblige. People are sinful and they will ultimately let us down in some way (large or small). God is the only one who is guaranteed to stay no matter what and as I look back over His faithfulness in the past, it gives me hope and courage for the future. Great post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I think rejection stings the most when it’s the people who matter most to us. Because we want to matter most to them. Thank goodness, the Lord makes sure we know how much we each matter to Him. The spiritual hindsight of seeing 20/20 from a distances proves how faithful God was to stay by our side all along the way.
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Thank you for such truthful reminders of who God is and who we are to Him.
Sarah, it’s such an important part of resting in our identity and how it comes from the Great I AM and His acceptance.
Karen this is such a beautiful reminder of who we are in Him, The Great I AM! I loved that scripture connection. Your words ring out in my heart. I have felt the sting of rejection at every stage and continue to experience it into adulthood. It still hurts. Thank you for teaching to re-direct my thoughts to the God who loves me, knows me and died to bring me into His family. I am loved forever, no matter what anyone else says. We need to hear this again and again. Bless you!
Amen to this, Melissa, “the God who loves me, knows me and died to bring me into His family.” Let’s continue to delcare this statements:
God wants me.
The Lord pursues me.
God stays intimately connected to me.
The Father never disowns me.
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