Did you know that God was the first partaker of rejection? How, you ask? First, the devil rejected God's sovereignty causing him to be ejected from heaven. Secondly, Adam and Eve, causing us to reject His authority.
This realization led me to several questions:
Did Adam and Eve feel rejected when they had to leave the Garden?
Have you rejected someone else due to the decisions they've made?
Have you felt rejected because of the consequences of your decisions?
Self-rejection is the act of rejecting yourself to avoid others rejecting you. It's when you put more value on others' thoughts and opinions above your own. It's you watering yourself down to be accepted because you don't feel good enough for others. Looking over my life, I think about all the times I've experienced rejection, how I've rejected others, and how I've thought about dumbing myself down to fit into a group.
As I've matured spiritually, I now perceive things differently. Some things that were once painful, I now see how God worked things out for my good. It hasn't always been pretty or easy, but I’ve had moments where I’ve thought about my past and said, ”thank you, Jesus, that didn't work out”. Now I can laugh at those moments, but back then, it was painful.
I've also thought about recent times when I've experienced rejection. Moments that I didn't fit in, times when people excluded me, and you know what, I'm okay with these times. If I must follow tradition or dumb myself down to fit in, then it's not for me. God didn't create me to blend in. He created a unique me. A me that's bold enough to step outside the box and who dares to be different. I wasn't created to conform to the ways of this world. I will not blend in with the crowd and become lost. I will stand out. So, I encourage you to stand out, be different, and be unique. Be who God has created you to be!
God is with us. He knows what we're going through. The scripture that comes to mind is Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Thank God for Jesus, who willingly came to restore our relationship. Thank you, Father, for knowing how frail we are and for not holding our rejection of you against us.
Don’t dumb yourself down. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Don’t reject God’s way. “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.” John 12:48
You’ll experience trials and tribulations. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
By doing these things…over time, I’ve been learning how to incorporate Christ into every area of my life.
Below are two books that God has inspired me to write. "The Flip Side" and "Blinded By Sight: The Heart Matters" both available now.
So… what’s this book about?
“The Flip Side” depicts the possible feelings and emotions of lesser-known Biblical characters as they navigated their lives in the shadows of the more popular characters in the Bible. While the Bible gives us snippets of their stories, we are usually left in the dark about their true motives, desires, and thoughts concerning the situations they are in. However, one certainty is that despite how little we know about these characters, they were often the catalysts to pivotal moments in the main characters’ lives.
So… what’s this book about?
Join me on a journey of self-discovery. “Blinded by Sight - The Heart Matters” is a compilation of short biblical devotions. These stories are not conclusive. They are depictions of how God is revealing my heart to me.
My prayer is, Lord, make it real for me, show me your heart, show me my heart, and give me the wisdom to change what hinders my relationship with you. I am learning that my perception is my biggest obstacle it affects my mind, what I think, and how I process my experiences. What I have experienced in my mind is expressed through my feelings and these experiences dictate my choices either consciously or subconsciously.
This devotional will allow you to explore and evaluate your past and present situations that have hindered you from seeing the heart of the matter. Simply put, look at the heart – it does matter. Your future depends on it!
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4
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