4 Remedies to Conquer Rejection

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me!” This often-taunted phrase is a lie. Words can hurt worse than a physical injury and last much longer. 

Bullying has always been around, but it seems more prevalent now than ever before. Children are exposed to torment from others and this can cause emotional scars that can take years to heal if not dealt with properly. Too many kids have even committed suicide because of what others have said or done to them.

We, as parents, grandparents, and friends can help our children and students by teaching them how valuable they are, and how much they are loved by God.

Rejection Isn’t Always Through Abuse

We can have a great life in one area and still experience rejection in other areas of our lives and the effects can be just as devastating if left unchecked.

My home was very loving and kind. I didn’t grow up with abuse, foul language, yelling, drugs, alcohol or lack.

But there were times when I felt the ultimate rejection.

I was shy. I didn’t initiate friendships easily or participate in games and sports; therefore, when teams were formed, I was the last one chosen.

I wasn’t the cute kid who won the little beauty contests. No one ever told me I was ugly, but my ears always perked up when someone else was told how pretty they were. So, my mind said, “You’re ugly.”

I worked hard to make good grades and when another student surpassed me, the voices in my head would start again, “You don’t measure up.”

So, do you get my point? I was allowing rejection to form in my mind based on my perception of what others were doing or saying. 

Although I wasn't bullied, this is what bullying can cause. The words heard and the treatment experienced is accepted in their minds and it grows a root.

The fruit of that root produces:

Seclusion – we avoid the risk of relationships to prevent being hurt again.

Anger and aggressiveness – we shun and hurt others by our actions.

Depression – we wallow in self-pity and the endless cycle of hopelessness and despair grows and can cause physical sickness.

Hyper-sensitivity – we display hurts seeking for justification in our feelings and become easily offended.

The Rejection Jesus Faced

No one has ever experienced the amount of rejection Jesus faced. In every area of His life, He faced ridicule and abuse in some form.

• Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders (John 11:53).
• He was rejected by his hometown (Luke 4:28-29).
• He was rejected by his followers (John 6:66).
• He was rejected by the Twelve (Matthew 26:26, Mark 24:50.
• He was rejected by his family (Mark 3:21).

In of all this rejection, Jesus stayed focused on fulfilling God’s will. As the Son of Man, he had the ability to feel the same emotions we feel; but as the Son of God He remained true to His purpose. He didn’t let the rejection of others sway what He knew He had to do. His spirit overcame His emotions (Mark 14:36). We have the same ability to overcome our feelings by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 16:33).

Here are 4 remedies we can use to conquer rejection in ourselves or help others conquer their feelings:

1. Put more value on what God says about us than what other people or circumstances tell us.
2. Surround ourselves with others who are committed to God. Our close relationships should be with committed Christians. We don't need to avoid other people, but we shouldn't spend so much time with unbelievers that their attitudes start to change us. Jesus didn’t avoid sinners, but when he was around them he changed the atmosphere; he didn’t let the atmosphere change him.
3. Realize rejection is a part of life on a fallen earth. It isn't going away, but we can learn to reject the feelings this causes instead of absorbing them. We do this by meditating on Scripture that tells us how much God loves us and accepts us.
4. Forgive because Christ forgave us. All those who rejected Jesus were forgiven by Him. Even Judas—the one who never received the forgiveness extended to him.

The ultimate rejection Jesus experienced was when His Father had to turn away. “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46).  He did this so we could be accepted. 

This was the worst thing that had ever happened to Him. For all eternity Jesus had been in union with His Father. Even after He laid aside the benefits of His deity to come to earth, He still had the fellowship with God until His Father had to turn away because of the sin that had been laid upon His Son. 

Jesus was willing to endure the worst rejection of His life so we could be accepted. That shows us how valuable we are to Him.

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:4-6 NKJV).

Someone else's treatment of you doesn't reflect your value. Jesus said we were all worth dying for. That makes all the difference in the world. (click to share on X)

 Join the conversation and share your thoughts on how to remedy rejection

 

What is the Depth of Redemption?

 This week for Christmas in July, I am sharing an excerpt from my book, Redemption, the Heartbeat of Christmas, What the Birth of Christ Means to the World. The book is available on Amazon. I hope this reminder of what Jesus did for us will speak to your heart, as God did to mine. 

What is the Depth of Redemption? by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

In church, we hear a lot about redemption. Sometimes we hear the word so much we lose the depth of its meaning.

What is the depth of redemption? We can better understand how deep Jesus’ sacrifice was for us by thinking about a person in prison.

Those of us who have not experienced the despair of imprisonment can’t fully understand the feelings of this punishment. My husband and I were confined to two weeks of quarantine when a we arrived in a foreign country during the Covid pandemic.

We lived for two weeks in an Army barracks with only thirty minutes of fresh outside air per day.

Days dragged on minute by minute, hour by hour.

We walked ten feet from one wall to the other to stretch our legs.

We looked out the window at the scenic air conditioner unit below our floor.

Packaged food appeared at mealtime.

The next day repeated the same boredom, the same meals, the same hard mattresses. As bad as this felt, we were released after our required time ended. The day we left with our luggage blessed us with a small taste of freedom.

Our experience had no comparison to life in a penitentiary.

A Prayer for America

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

We celebrated the 250^th birthday of the Declaration of Independence last week in a spectacular display of fireworks, music, military drills, and speeches.

America has never seen an event like what Washington, D.C. displayed before.

Our history has been maligned over the decades until students and even adults are not aware of what the liberty they enjoy cost others. We need to protect this freedom from forms of tyranny like socialism and communism. We do this by remaining strong in biblical values, voting accordingly, and praying for America.

What can heal our land?

What Can Our Ancestors Teach Us About History? - Guest Post by Dr. Rebecca Price Janney

 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta 

This week's post is by Dr. Rebecca Price Janney. She has written a six-book series set in the Revolutionary War period of America. The main character in all these books is actually an ancestor of hers. As a person whose favorite part of history is this Revolutionary period, I learned a lot about some of the battles and hardships our founding fathers experienced. Travel back in time through these books and you will have more to appreciate as we celebrate our 250th birthday. She has also written two books about the Great Awakening in the early 1900's in Korea and the Korean War. Since we lived in Korea for two years, I found these novels fascinating. I think you will too! Welcome, Rebecca. Links to her books are at the end of the post.

             Four years ago, I got to address a group of newly-naturalized citizens from around the world. Most of them were with family members and wore big smiles to go with their American flags. What could I say to encourage and welcome them? Since I believe my family’s story reflects “the American dream,” I went with some of the details before bringing my journey to bear upon theirs.

3 Biblical Remedies for Guilt and Shame

 

 by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Even since Adam and Eve took one bite of fruit humans have dealt with guilt and shame.

God warned them.

Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17 NKJV)

Up until that time they had only known good. Then a serpent’s words carried more weight to their minds than what their Creator told them.

The temptation to know everything sucked Adam and Eve into the trap.

Through mercy, God brought the skins of a slain animal to cover the guilt. The couple was forgiven.

But the shame continued. Their minds probably ran away with the accusations that came from the mouth of their tempter. “You are bad.” “Look at what you did.” “The human race is doomed because of you.”

This is what the devil does. He tempts and then when we give in, he accuses and condemns us.

What is the difference between guilt and shame?

How Can We Know and Do God's Will?

 

 by Barbara Latta

Sometimes we as believers struggle with wondering if we are following God’s will for our lives.

What if you discovered a resource that contained encouragement, Scriptural direction, and connection with other Christians that was offered at no cost to you?

Lighthouse Bible Studies publishes a digital magazine, Refresh, three times per year. The theme for the Spring issue is "Knowing and Doing God’s Will." Twenty-four authors share articles that help us follow God in every aspect of our lives and is offered in two parts.

 It’s free to sign up and receive this wonderful publication by email. Subscribe here 

Refresh Part 1

Refresh Part 2

Here are some examples and quotes from the Spring issue:

 

5 Parenting Lessons from Biblical Mothers

by Barbara Latta

I have joined a group of authors and bloggers by sharing free downloads to enrich your spiritual life. If you would like to have this bundle of freebies, click this link: https://jenniferthayerknight.com/seeds-of-faith/ before May 10.

 Mother’s Day is a time to honor and remember our mothers for their love and sacrifice throughout the years. As mothers ourselves, our children will be bringing gifts to honor us. 

When our offspring show us love, their words are appreciated more than we can express.

  But sometimes thoughts of all the mistakes we have made while raising our children attack us. This is when we need to rely on God’s Word and know He forgives us. 

He doesn’t want us to look back in regret. When we focus on training our children in the fear of the Lord, He blesses our efforts. 

We can learn 5 parenting lessons from these biblical mothers.