Rejection

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I love how God works! If we listen, He will speak. It is up to us to obey.

I have had a book (Uninvited by Lysa Terkeurst) for several months now but just had not taken the time to read it. I am in 6th grade all this week. They work quietly and independently so it gives me reading time.

Tuesday evening, I was choosing a book. God led me to that one, so I took it with me on Wednesday.

As I begin to read my first thought was, "But I've conquered my sense of rejection!" The Holy Spirit urged me to keep reading. Not only did I read the entire book, but I highlighted on nearly every page!

God always knows what we need! I had a women's conference coming up. Weeks before, the Holy Spirit told me to expect an attack just before the conference. The devil loves to attack just before we minister or just after a victory!

Little did I know that reading that book was preparing me for that attack! What form did it come in? Yep. You guessed it. Rejection! My old adversary. 

Rejection always hurts but it especially hurts when it comes from people you are genuinely trying to encourage and help. Maybe you didn't speak exactly the correct words and they took offense. Maybe you were misquoted (my pet peeve!) which in turn led others to believe something about you that isn't true. Maybe you have tried to love them, but they don't seem to love you back. Maybe you have a ministry they just won't embrace.

And for me, rejection always leads to fear and anxiety. (If you are a Pastor or Pastor's wife reading this you understand that all too well.)

While reading, I was reminded again that our Lord suffered the ultimate rejection. The world's philosophy regarding rejection used to be what I embraced. 

"Fine! If you don't like me, I don't care. Reject me and I will just shut you out of my life! Misunderstand or misquote me and I just won't talk to you anymore. I don't need nobody but Jesus!"

However, that is not a Christ-like approach to rejection. A Christ-like approach says,

"If you don't like me, I will love you more. Reject me and I will pray for you. Misunderstand or misquote me and I will do my best to clear it up. Talk about me to others and I will hold my peace steadfastly trusting that God will fight my battles and truth will prevail!"

Why do we fear rejection? Because rejection is real. 

It can cost us; it can take away from us. Rejection can cost a marriage, a job, our finances, relationships and even a ministry. What rejection can't take is our anointing, unless we allow it to!

Am I still experiencing the pain of rejection today? Yes. And I, like you, always will. The question is, do I let the rejection of others define me or am I defined by the anointing that God has placed on my life? 

God never rejects me! He always loves me! And guess what? He likes me...He calls me "friend"! Just as I am with all my flaws and cracks. Does He desire to work on those areas? Absolutely! But He loves me as I am. He never misunderstands or misquotes me because He knows my heart!

And dear brother or sister, the same is true of you!

Be blessed!

Pastor Jennifer

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