Rejection
Scripture:
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
John 1:11
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Reflection:
Today I choose to fast from the wound of rejection.
Whether it’s feeling excluded from a group of friends or not getting the job that you really wanted, we’ve all experienced rejection. Early experiences of rejection can impact the rest of our lives. But even as an adult, rejection hurts and if we allow those wounds to fester they can negatively impact our identity.
When the wounds of rejection are left unchecked, it can bear destructive fruit such as unforgiveness and hard-heartedness. These in turn can lead to sloth by keeping our eyes fixed on the past and present pain and preventing us from pursuing the good things that God has ahead of us. Scripture reminds us that even Jesus experienced rejection, but also that he will never reject us. May these reminders be comfort for us and allow us to see the way forward in Christ.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
How has rejection kept me focused on my pain and prevented me from seeing the good things God has in store for me?
How does knowing that Jesus also experienced rejection change my perspective or experience of rejection?
Prayer:
Talk to God about the experiences that cause pain and hard-heartedness in your life. If there is someone you are struggling to forgive, share that with God and ask for God’s guidance in this situation. Thank God for the good things that you have experienced and ask God to help you focus on the good ahead of you.
These devotions have been adapted from “Lenten Healing: 40 Days to Set You Free from Sin” by Ken Kniepmann.
