Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Love Yourself and Pray Through Rejection

     It was an innocent enough request:  I asked a few people in my circle to support me with the blog, i.e., forward it to their friends and family and leave a comment or two.  I was grateful for the positive responses I got from many, but hurt by the lack of response I got from a few.  I felt rejected, overlooked, and ignored and after praying over it, I was determined to release the negative feelings and move on. 

     So I  googled rejection on the internet and looked for bible verses dealing with the same. And I read all of them.  Jesus  was the most rejected man in the world so I knew I would get answers to my questions.  What I learned is that the spirit of rejection is one of the most prevalent maladies facing the body of christ.  We all suffer rejection in one form or another over the course of our lives. 

     We can feel rejected in the womb by a mother who is ill-prepared to have us, or after birth by a family that is not equipped to nurture us, or by those who abuse or neglect us, or later in life by people who don't feel good about themselves and, therefore, can't support or love us, or by those who want to control us or shut us up by their silence, or by people who are just overwhelmed and stretched to thin, and, simply, don't have the time to support us.  There are as many reasons as stars in the sky for why someone may have rejected us.

     We all face rejection, and, I believe, we all reject others from from time-to-time.  The "soul-less" internet -- Facebook (liking some comments and skipping over others) and Ignored Emails -- are ripe breeding grounds for the spirit of rejection to prosper, leaving open sores and wounds that must be consciously examined, disected, and extracted.  We must forgive those whom have rejected us.  Otherwise, we will nurse the hurt and pain.
    
      Our worlds mirror our inner thoughts, i.e., we get what we give.  And hurt people hurt people.  I choose love and acceptance.  I will not spend my precious time on negative encounters and people.  I ask forgiveness of anyone whom I rejected when I was hurting. I'm up at 3.a.m this morning praying for God's best and highest in the lives of my friends and family.  I may have called out your name.  My heart is wide open.

       I pray that you do the same and clear your heart of the spirit of rejection.  Read every bible verse that you can find on love and acceptance, which is the direct opposite of rejection. Read up on forgiveness.  It's what God wants for His people!  He loves you and wants the best for you, no matter what anyone may have done or said.  Concentrate on this and continue to lead with your heart and love.  Carry this bible verse with you at all times:

                       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

     Never stop forgiving others:
           
                       Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who  
                       sins against me? Seven times?”
                      “No!” Jesus replied, “seventy times seven!”
                       Matthew 18:21-22

      And remember what God wants for us all:

                       Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the Glory of
                       God!               
                       Romans 15:7.

      Let's do this thing of life with love, love, love!  Let me know with a comment how you're doing.
                    
      Meme
     
     





4 comments:

  1. Meme thank you for the wisdom you shared about rejection...it is very timely for me. I will do as you suggest and read Bible verses about love and acceptance. I know that like you I too will be blessed. Hugs.

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  2. Hey, Ms. Eleanor:

    It was my first time ever really examining the spirit of rejection and pulling back the layers of my heart to see where it was buried inside. I believe "What is happening to us, is always happening for us," so I was happy to dive in, and I feel lighter as a result of digging deep. Here's a few more verses to strangle the spirit of rejection:

    When the rightwous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones, not one of them is broken.
    Psalm 34:17-20

    As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious.
    1 Peter 2:4
    (I'll add a Haha and a hug to this one, Eleanor.)

    And my favorite verse (In fact before I ever started investigating rejection, I called myself a tropy of grace):

    But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
    2 Corinthians 12:9

    Love you, Eleanor. You, my sister, are indeed a Child of God. What a positive example you've been for me. Thanks for your sweet comment. Happy Mother's Day.

    Meme

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  3. Stay inspired and encouraged because you have knowledge that God blessed you with and allow you to share through writing. Reading this blog is a blessing for me. I'm dealing with rejection, but as you said, focus on love and forgiveness. Thanks Meme

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    Replies
    1. Hello:

      Thank you so much for taking the time to make a comment. It means the world to me. I'm grateful that your comment brought me back to this post and my quest to live with an open heart. There are no mistakes so I guess it was time for me to release and let go of any hurt feelings that may have been festering since I wrote this. I'm in the process with you. Haha. What a wonderful thing for us both to do right before the New Year! God loves us. All is well.

      Meme

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