Life Lesson 5: Rejection is God’s way of teaching me perseverance in faith and directing my steps according to His will.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Have you ever been rejected? I have. Have you ever been told that you are not the “right fit”? I most certainly have, and to say it’s a detrimental blow to a person’s self-esteem, is an understatement. When we come head-on with rejection, there is this moment when we just feel like burying our head in the sand. You know in your heart that your motives are sincere and you’ve got precisely what it takes to do the job or you know you would make an amazing life partner. Even before you had a chance to showcase what you’ve got, you are overlooked and rejected.
You know, God doesn’t make mistakes. He has just the perfect fit for you. People may tell you, you are not the “right fit,” or say otherwise, but God has the final say. After all, He is God alone and nothing and no one can hinder His plans for your life. In the Book of Job, we see where the Lord speaks to Job while Job’s faith was being tested in the fire. In the most devastating time of Job’s life, God reveals Himself to him. God challenges Job with a series of questions. When Job finally responded to the Lord, he replied, “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2 NIV). What an amazing encouragement!
Rejection may set you back for a time, but it doesn’t stop God’s purpose for your life. What I have learned from life’s unpleasant experiences is that they come as no surprise to God. God’s love for me and for all His children supersedes any challenges we may face. I’m learning that God allows them on our path for a definite purpose, and while we may never truly understand what it all means, we can view them from God’s perspective as an opportunity to draw closer to Him. Like a soldier preparing for battle, I arm myself daily with the truth of God’s Word so that when I come face-to-face with the enemy of my soul, I can pierce the unpleasant experience with the truth of the Word (Hebrews 4:12).
I mentioned it earlier, but it’s worth repeating. God is never at a loss for words or surprised by your rejections. He divinely orchestrates our steps. The Bible tells us that “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Psalm 37:23 NLT). No one knows better than Jesus what it feels like to be rejected. In Isaiah 53:3, it is written, “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low self-esteem.” You see my friend, God knows all about your rejection and pain. Why not talk to Him. He’s faithful and His promises are true, so go to the throne of grace with humility of heart, seek the Lord in prayer and don’t be afraid to share your heart with Him.
In Jeremiah 29:12-13, it is written, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” In your prayer, ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you, and to help you to see yourself through His eyes. It will change the way you view your life’s circumstances. Because God created the blueprint for your life, you never have to worry about external forces affecting your divine design. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT). Because God is our Father and He has sovereign authority over our lives, He is able to do far above and beyond all we could ever ask or think. God has the power to exceed your dreams and expectations.
When you face rejection, know that God is in control and He has an awesome plan for you that no one knows about. After all, it is written, “No eye has ever seen or no ear has ever heard or no mind has ever thought of the wonderful things God has made ready for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLV). My dear friend, the victory belongs to God and He has the final say. If He says you’re the right fit, then indeed you are, and nothing will stop His divine plan for your life.
“The only thing that will help us move past the giant of rejection is to immerse ourselves in the acceptance of Christ.”― Louie Giglio
