“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:27-28)
Rejection…. Aren’t we all so scared of it?
I think so… even in those moments when we think we have grown past that fear. We all of a sudden get anxious. Feel our hearts pumping faster and faster. Scared to death we won’t get picked….
Or maybe even fearful of the rejection when….. people know who we really are.
You know?
Our story…..
The Good. The Bad…… and don’t forget the baggage that sometimes smells like — rotten old garbage.
Or maybe…..
You’re just fearful of being rejected right over the computer screen. The fear of not receiving a “like” on your facebook page.
Do you ever find yourself checking back over and over again? Just hoping and praying – someone notices you here in this world of social media. Will they click “like” so at least I get a thumbs up from somebody today?
Sound silly to you?
To some — maybe. But others — not. For some, this might be the only way they feel noticed in this crazy world today.
And just why aren’t we past this need to belong somewhere? Scared to death of rejection….
Well, my name is Nichole LaPointe and I am 39 years old.
And even at 39, it can still feel like a knife right through the chest when I’m not included…. or even excluded by the very ones that once included me.
Is either form of rejection better than the other?
I say no, not at all. They both leave a heavy blow to the heart. Leaving us left to catch our breath….. just so we are able to inhale and exhale normal again.
Or maybe the rejection came when we were..…
Looked over,
or…
Looked down upon,
or…
Told we’re not gifted enough,
or….
Too gifted,
or….
Maybe too young,
or….
Too old….
Either way the rejection came, it left us with the need to run away fast……
Whatever the reason, it is not a feeling anyone enjoys. Even as grown ups, we want to be liked, loved, appreciated, respected, and cared for.
Anything but rejected!
And sometimes — we just want to be picked first by our spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, friends, employer, or church. Or even by a stranger. Anything. Anybody. Just first, somewhere — by someone.
Nobody likes rejection.
But the question is….. when we feel all that rejection, what do we do with it?
Most of us, much of the time, pout with sadness feeling like nobody likes me, understands me, nor loves me.
In those times, we need to remember Jesus….
Do you know what He did for us?
He died on the cross. For all our sins. For those rejected. And those who reject others. Every single one of us. No matter how small or big your sin feels. It is all washed clean under the blood of Jesus if He is Lord of your life.
Do you know He still has the scars to show you when you see Him in Heaven?
God’s Word says….
“Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” (John 20:27-29)
Yes, this story is from the Bible, but do you believe God’s Word is Truth?
I sure do hope so…. because it is the the purest form of Truth you will ever know. It is saving Truth.
Jesus died on the cross, but He also rose from the grave. He is the living Son of God. He saves. He redeems. He heals. And He doesn’t reject those who: ask Him with a pure heart to come into their life, confess Him with their mouth as Lord, and follow Him.
Instead of rejection…… You are loved. Seen. Known.
He has the holes to show you one day….. that even before you were born, He was thinking about you. He was loving you enough to die on the cross to wash all your sins away so you will wear His righteousness. It’s the most beautiful form of love one can receive.
Do you know what faith is?
It is not just what you see now. It is backwards and forward looking. It is having faith in what Jesus did on the cross for you, but still looking forward to what’s ahead for you.
Don’t get stuck by any rejection from this world.
Instead, look to Jesus…. and you will feel His grace, mercy, and love pour down on you. All the days of your life into eternity.
You are not rejected. You are loved by the Almighty God.
Additional Truth:
If you have not asked Jesus into your heart, please do so now. Right now. I beg you. If you haven’t asked Him into your heart, but die today… you will not be be received into Heaven.
God’s Word says….
“But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:12-13)
This is what will be said to you if you do not have a relationship with Jesus when you die. Please ask Him right now to come into your heart, confess Him as your Savior, and follow Him.
You don’t have to be rejected. Jesus is waiting for you. He loves you!
God bless!! Love you all!!
