Conquering the Giant of Rejection

By Dr. Jerry Vestal

I'm convinced that one of the greatest pains that anyone can experience, is the pain of rejection. It can literally cut your heart out. Everyone deserved to be accepted. Everyone wants to be part of the group. Many have been rejected by society due to the color of their skin. Many have been literally rejected in the womb. There are others who have been rejected by your family because of who you married. One thing is for sure. God will never reject you. God will never turn His back on you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God and you are not an accident. In order for you to comprehend someone's pain, you yourself have had to walk in that place. When it comes to rejection, God understands. God himself was rejected. In the Old Testament all the different nations had their own king. Israel told Samuel that they wanted a king like the other nations had. It broke the Lord's heart. All through the years, it had been God who had been their king; God who brought them out of Egyptian captivity and into the promised land. 1 Samuel 8:6-7 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. (7) And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. So Jehovah God, the God that created you, the God that created the heavens and the earth and everything in it, knows about rejection There is one more that understands and comprehends even to a greater degree about rejection. His name is Jesus. The Bible said in John that he came unto his own and his own received him not. The very ones that Jesus came to die for rejected him. They spit upon his face. They cursed him, they beat him and rejected him. But even on the cross, Jesus said, Father forgive those who reject me. Bless those that despitefully use me. Jesus responded to his enemies the way that you and I need to respond. He responded in love. John 1:6-11 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (7) The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. The last week in the life of Christ was a horrible time. Jesus was passed back and forth between the two leaders. It was a custom at that time to release one prisoner. Barabbas, a hardened criminal, was also imprisoned. Pilate recognized that Jesus was not guilty of the charges against him. However, the pressure of the crowd demanded the execution of Jesus and the release of Barabbas, a murderer, a thief and a liar. Luke 23:18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas: You think Jesus doesn't understand about rejection? When you go to Jesus with a broken heart, he understands your pain.

Jesus was very close to his father, but on the cross, when Jesus died for our sins, he became a dirty house. The sin of the whole world was upon him. God won't live in a dirty house. If you desecrate that temple, God will move out. He even moved out on his own son. The pain was so great that Jesus cried out on the cross, my God, my God, why has thou forsaken me. Don't tell me that Jesus doesn't understand your rejection. There is a God in heaven that loves you, sent his son to die for you and will never reject you; he will never turn his back on you, no matter what you have done. He has open arms, he will love you and accept you. Can we be like our Lord and Savior and love our neighbor; can we forgive those who despitefully use us, that come against us. Here are four keys on how to overcome rejection:

(1) Forgive - If you refuse to forgive those who have rejected you, you are just as guilty as they because you are committing the sin of unforgiveness.

(2) Accept yourself for who you are. Believe in yourself - believe in others. Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

(3) Even though you have been rejected, don't you be guilty of rejecting others. He came unto his own and his own received him not. We are not to reject others even though you have been rejected. Why would you ever want to reject someone else and make them feel the way you have. (4) Stay connected to Christ Jesus who will never reject you. He will always be there with outstretched arms to comfort and love you through life. Jesus is the only one that has the ability to give you peace and rest in the storm. God loves you and he will never leave you nor reject you. God wants to heal you of rejection. It is excessive baggage that can take your very soul if you don't know how to deal with it. Rejection demands to be considered. Acceptance of God's love and forgiveness for yourself and others will conquer the bondage of rejection.