Don’t dwell on rejection

“When people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town as a testimony against them.”

— Luke 9:5 (NIV)

There are so many different situations in which we experience a rejection. We can feel rejected when a parent leaves or doesn’t give us the attention we feel they should. We can feel this kind of rejection from a spouse, friend, boss or teammates. The list of others goes on and on.

There have been times I’ve felt rejected by a life circumstance. An illness or loss of some kind can make us feel less than others, once again bringing that powerful sting of rejection. In some cases, people reject themselves. Their insecurities or things they don’t like about themselves cause them to feel this way.

Regardless of the circumstance, the cutting feeling a rejection leaves behind is still the same. Not dealt with appropriately, it can leave an unhealthy mark on our life.

Over the years, I have experienced life’s disappointments and rejections. Eventually I realized they are a part of life, and I need to put my life’s rejections in proper perspective.

Rejection originated in the Garden of Eden when Eve and Adam rejected God’s command not to eat from the tree of good and evil. Jesus was no stranger to disappointment and rejection, either. People rejected his ministry, and denied his existence continually. They still do.

Rejection is such an aspect of our daily lives that he instructed the disciples that people and circumstances would disappoint them; they could count on it. But when this happens, they should shake the dust off their feet and move on.

There is a lot we can learn in handling our rejections. Through my own, I have realized each one is a challenge to contemplate and pray if a change is order. Sometimes we cannot change the circumstance. Then we need to ask God to help us handle it. If we can change whatever we feel God has brought to mind to change, then we need to change it. We can use it as a challenge to grow spiritually and forgive it and keep moving forward. We can see it as a time for self-improvement.

God is whispering to us; rejection is a new direction and can even be his protection. God knows remaining stuck in our hurtful rejections keeps us from living the abundant life awaiting us. Through the acceptance of change, and prayer for guidance we can find a new direction and change of perspective, turning our emotional dust into gold dust, guiding us to the new people, places and things God’s has planned for us.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com.