Overcoming Rejection
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21
Rejection is never easy, but rejection from people we care about really hurts. Maybe it's the rejection of losing your job or having a spouse walk out on you. Sometimes rejection can be so devastating we're not sure we are going to recover. Here are a few thoughts that may help:
Jesus understands. On the cross, He faced the rejection of the whole world. Be honest with God about your feelings. He understands.
Don't seek revenge. Trust God to bring about ultimate justice. Ask God to help you forgive. After all, Jesus forgave us for rejecting Him on the cross.
Don't confuse forgiveness with a lack of accountability. Holding wrong-doers accountable is good--for them, for us, and for others.
Choose to get better, not bitter. The best way to get even in a good way is to get better. Remember, "Bitterness is the poison we swallow while hoping the other person dies."
These four insights can help you overcome rejection. Put them into practice and rejection will not defeat you. Rejection is never easy, but overcoming rejection is a key to successful living.
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13 Comments
Being rejected is like having doors slam in your face over and over again.just keep knocking until one open's. you wlll forget all the close ones. - Ribert
This is very timely. I have had so many articles put in front of me about forgiveness and getting past rejection this week. Since my husband walked out on us for the third time I have been struggling with a lot of bitterness. Thank you for today's devotion. God put it right in front of me at just the right time. - MIchelle
Michelle, I wont even try to say I know how you feel but I will say I have dealt with many people who have gone thru this. If I could give you any advice it would be to not go thru it alone. Find someone who would take your feelings and words and keep them in their heart not to be exposed to anyone. I will be praying for you and your husband both that Gods will shall be prevailed. - Jerry
Christ gave us such a marvelous, perfect example in this area. When we let go of bitterness and anger and forgive others it frees our hearts and minds to live our best lives for Him. It also feels so wonderful when we are forgiven by others. I know there has been much discussion lately here about being logical. This is one of the many areas that is ultimately so logical in Christ's example. We have to fight against our human, sinful nature to be angry and seek vengence. To really be able to forgive we need to ask the Holy Spirit to change our hearts to let go of the anger and hurt. It is so freeing once we do forgive. - Melanie
Jerry's given you some great advice. Don't go through this alone. God bless you. - Austin
What a great devotion! I really needed to hear that today. - James
Michelle, so sorry about your situation. This is a very good devotion today and I hope it does help you some. I'am glad you shared with us since it gives us an opportunity to pray for you. Take care and God bless. - Becky
After 22 years of marriage and a what I thought to be solid marriage, my husband left me for another. I have never felt such despair in all my life. The emptiness, feeling of failure, not good enough, being tossed away like a piece of trash. I never thought I would go on, then I read Ezk 37 about the valley of dry bones, God was telling me if He could breathe life back into bones, He could and would make me live again. I am now a missionary in Mexico and I am living again. Lonely at times yes, but growing and working for the Lord. Michelle, Trust in the Lord while your in the valley of dry bones, ask Him to send somone to help you in this time and never walk a day without Him at your side. God Bless, I will be praying for you. - Jan-Mexico
After 22 years of marriage and a what I thought to be solid marriage, my husband left me for another. I have never felt such despair in all my life. The emptiness, feeling of failure, not good enough, being tossed away like a piece of trash. I never thought I would go on, then I read Ezk 37 about the valley of dry bones, God was telling me if He could breathe life back into bones, He could and would make me live again. I am now a missionary in Mexico and I am living again. Lonely at times yes, but growing and working for the Lord. Michelle, Trust in the Lord while your in the valley of dry bones, ask Him to send somone to help you in this time and never walk a day without Him at your side. God Bless, I will be praying for you. - Jan-Mexico
After 22 years of marriage and a what I thought to be solid marriage, my husband left me for another. I have never felt such despair in all my life. The emptiness, feeling of failure, not good enough, being tossed away like a piece of trash. I never thought I would go on, then I read Ezk 37 about the valley of dry bones, God was telling me if He could breathe life back into bones, He could and would make me live again. I am now a missionary in Mexico and I am living again. Lonely at times yes, but growing and working for the Lord. Michelle, Trust in the Lord while your in the valley of dry bones, ask Him to send somone to help you in this time and never walk a day without Him at your side. God Bless, I will be praying for you. - Jan-Mexico
After 22 years of marriage and a what I thought to be solid marriage, my husband left me for another. I have never felt such despair in all my life. The emptiness, feeling of failure, not good enough, being tossed away like a piece of trash. I never thought I would go on, then I read Ezk 37 about the valley of dry bones, God was telling me if He could breathe life back into bones, He could and would make me live again. I am now a missionary in Mexico and I am living again. Lonely at times yes, but growing and working for the Lord. Michelle, Trust in the Lord while your in the valley of dry bones, ask Him to send somone to help you in this time and never walk a day without Him at your side. God Bless, I will be praying for you. - Jan-Mexico
Jan-Mexico, thanks for demonstrating how we can apply Gods word, the "ancient text", to our lives today. It is one of several ways God still speaks to us. It is great how, no matter what our situation is, God has the answer in His word. I would like to see a science book that can do that. - Keith R.
"Don't confuse Forgiveness with a lack of accountability. Holding wrong doers accountable is good for them, for us, and for others".
It is critical to understand that God is concerned with our accountability. Reading the word accountability from right to left, we get ABILITY-ACCOUNT. God is concerned about our ability to hold others accountable. Don't take my word for it. Let's go to the text. Ezekiel chapter 3:16-21 speaks on this issue. To many times we Christians shy away from what the Word of God says because it may be unpopular. - Kevin