“He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not” (John 1:10, ASV).

Rejection hurts. We know how it feels when we don’t get a job we’ve applied for. We don’t make the team. We’re not included in a group that we wished to be in. Our self-esteem suffers a severe blow, making us believe we are unworthy.

Our Lord Jesus is the greatest example of being rejected. He made the world, but the world did not make His life easy. He had no place to lay His head, no home to call his own. His followers forsook Him. One of His disciples betrayed Him. The Jewish leaders turned Him away, persecuted Him, and killed Him.

Surely all this rejection hurt Jesus, for He was human just as we are. He grieved that His own people, for the most part, did not believe in Him. They accepted His healing and His food, but when He was crucified, they left Him. Even His closest friends ran away. Jesus did not let rejection stop Him from completing His mission. He set His face toward the task God had asked of Him and completed it.

What is our reaction when we are rejected? Do we sink into a black hole of despair and give up? Do we believe that we are worthless? Do we think God doesn’t love us anymore? As Paul would say, “May it never be!”

Consider that rejection may be Satan’s ploy to discourage us. We shouldn’t believe Satan’s lies. Rejection may teach us a lesson. Maybe we could have done things differently to procure a better outcome. Or just perhaps, God has better plans for us. Remember that “A man’s heart deviseth his way; but Jehovah directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). When we trust God, He will keep us and show us His way for us.

Hymn: “Let Him Have His Way With Thee”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, rejection hurts. Let us remember that Your approval is the only one that matters and we need to look to You for guidance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Donna Wittlif, Denver, Colorado
Donna’s book – Finding Her Heart – is available through Amazon – bit.ly/2KSffeV.