Counseling Article - May 2010

Rejection is not always a nice word, mostly not a nice word. Many of us can remember during our grammar school and even perhaps high school years waiting to be picked for a team and knowing that since sports were not “our thing” we may be the last picked. We weren’t totally rejected, but knew we might have been but for the fact that everyone had to play. Somehow, we survived and realized later on that we had other strengths.

Later on in life we may have experienced the rejection of a friend, a girl friend or a boy friend (or even a husband or wife) who thought that they had found their soul mate and it wasn’t you.

I could go on and on about things that make us feel rejected. The point is that there is one who was rejected and is still being rejected today who will never reject us. Until six months ago, I was unemployed. Many are there today. I sent out many résumés and made out many applications. I was beginning to think that because of my age I was no longer employable. Then, thankfully, I got accepted for a job. When I started training we were warned that if we didn’t keep a certain average we would be walked out of the class. Fear reared its ugly head. I’m ashamed to say that for a period of time I allowed it in. Then it dawned on me that if I believed that this was part of God’s plan for my life I would make it through and I did. If I was rejected then God had another plan.

Many times when someone comes into my office and feels rejected they are angry and bitter toward the person who rejected them. This is a normal emotion. However, the Word tells us not to allow a root of bitterness to rise up. It only hurts us. The other person or parties are going on with their lives not even realizing the person who was rejected is holding onto that anger.

Jesus was rejected by the very people who three days before were glorifying and praising him. The disciples ran in fear of their lives. Even though He was rejected, He will never reject us. So in those times when hearts are broken and life is not fair, remember the One who will never leave us or forsake us and forgive those who do.

Donna Ridge Christian Counselor