Redirect Rejection

By Greg Sanders

No one likes rejection. I know I sure don’t. Rejection is not just something that happens to you, it is something you feel. Rejection seems to stick with you long after the conversation is over. Once you experience rejection you become adverse to stepping out and trying again because you remember vividly the pain of rejection.

In Luke 10:16 Jesus said, “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” A couple of things stand out to me when I hear the words of Jesus. First, Jesus expected His followers to experience rejection as they went out doing what He called them to do. He knew that following His leading would lead to encounters where people would choose to reject the good news rather than embrace it. However, He called them to go follow His lead anyway. The possibility of rejection must not keep you from following His lead.

Secondly, Jesus said for us to redirect the rejection that comes our way while doing His work. Jesus said, “Whoever rejects you, rejects me.” You must understand that when you experience rejection while doing His work the rejection is not directed toward you. The rejection is toward the One working through you. Jesus lets you know that He also feels the pain of rejection with you. When you feel rejection for doing the work of the Lord, in that moment, you are aligned with the emotion that Jesus experienced. The disciples experienced rejection in Acts 5:41. Rather than internalizing the rejection as something hurtful, they redirected that rejection and celebrated that they were worthy of being recognized as His follower. No one likes rejection, but when rejection comes for doing the work of Jesus, just remember you are in good company. Redirect rejection as a signal that you are in the company of Jesus.

Today’s Challenge: Don’t allow rejection to keep you from pursuing and following God’s direction for your life or for your day. Today overcome your fear of rejection by stepping out and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you experience rejection, remember in that moment you are in good company.

Blessings,

Greg