Objective: To tell you what you really need to know about rejection. To give you instructions on how to remove the impact of rejection as it relates to your vision. To give you the truth about rejection.
As I read through the definitions of the word “rejection”, I thought about a time when a dog approached me with its tail wagging all fast. He had a very friendly approach but because of the fact that I really don’t like dogs approaching me. I rejected him. I yelled out “get, get, get!” The dog stopped, looked up at me and immediately put its head down towards the ground. The tail that was waging fast ceased to wag any longer. It simply fell between the dog’s legs. Then he turned around and started walking away from me, every few seconds looking back at me. Now that I think about it the animal appeared to be hurt by my response. The dog had a mission and it was to get me to pat it and show it some love…some support. Of course I did neither.
Several times during my life, I felt like this dog. As a serial entrepreneur, I have had plenty of ideas or goals that I believe God put inside of me. But because I had loved ones who directly and indirectly rejected the idea, I did not follow through with the vision. I started telling myself that I could not complete the task deflating what little confidence I had in the ability God put in me for his work. Some of the ideas may not have been of traditional value but innovative value. I had a mind to step outside of the box and go beyond being mediocre. I believed the lies and allowed the lies and the fear of rejection to determine whether I moved forward or not. I chose not to move forward. So I know how people feel when someone they love and care about rejects or refuses to accept something they are passionate about. Especially, when you know God put that passion and vision inside you.
I remember sharing my vision with a loved one and the only thing I heard out of his mouth was criticism. In my mind, he could have just as well been throwing water darts at the fire that God had placed in me for the vision. At that point, I was about to let human influence keep me from manifesting God’s vision. Right as the flame was almost out, I thought about it more. I said to myself, “wait a cotton picking minute, God gave me this vision therefore this person is not only rejecting me but also my God. How dare he!” I began to harbor bitterness and resent in my heart. It was at that point I lost the true motive which was to manifest the vision because God said to do it. The natural man was angry. I remember going into an “I am going to show you” mode. It was on! It was on alright. I was getting on the wrong road to vision manifestation, a road that will continue to keep me in a vision pit, not being to climb out because my heart was unclean. My motive changed which was evident that I was approaching it all wrong. I realized that I turned my motivation into a selfish and bitter mission. It was at that point, I began to ask God to forgive me, and then I forgave my loved one for rejecting the vision. I felt such a release. This release gave me what I needed to climb out of the vision pit and began to move toward vision manifestation. God began to give me the wisdom and knowledge to move forward. Let’s go a little deeper.
WHAT IS REJECTION?
There are several meanings for the word “rejection”
- Rejection is refusing to accept or consider
- Rejection is to be cast aside, cast off, and cast away as it you have no value
- Set aside as inferior in quality
- Deemed wrong or inappropriate; disapprove
- Refuse to accept
- Disapprove
- Turn away from
WHAT IMPACE CAN REJECTION HAVE ON YOU AND YOUR VISION
- Rejection can immobilize you & keep you stuck in lies
- Rejection can cause you to reject god’s vision for you
- Rejection can cause you to have self-hatred and bitterness in your heart
- Rejection can keep you from following the master plan inturn following your own plan
- Rejection can cause you to lose focus of the ultimate goal
- Rejection can keep you from being used by god
- Rejection can hold up other people’s vision
- Rejection can have negative affects on the people you love and others around you
- Rejection can create a feeling of inadequacy and defeate
- Rejection plagues your thoughts and feelings
- Rejection causes you not to accept love and acceptance from others
- Rejection impacts relationships with others
- Rejection keeps you from pursuing what god has for you
- Rejection causes you to take part and believe the world perspective of things
- Rejection can create a rebellious spirit
- Rejection can convince you to second guess god’s and HIS purpose for you
- Rejection cause you to be defensive
WHAT TO REMOVE THE IMPACT OF REJECTION?
- Don’t assume that one person’s opinion reflects everyone’s opinion.
- Don’t allow one person’s negative comments or feelings to define who you are.
- Acknowledge that you are of utmost value to God and completely accepted by Him.
- Forgive those who reject you and your vision. Write down everyone’s name that is rejecting you and the vision and release each person
- Know that the Lord himself will go before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged
- Know that God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
- Be certain that just because someone rejects you that it does NOT make you a reject.
- See Christ as your security whenever you feel insecure.
- Be assured that you may be rejected by men but you were chosen by God and precious to Him.
- Respond to rejection as Jesus did.
- Don’t respond to rejection the world’s way but God’s way.
“THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE”
It takes two to fully manifest the fruit of rejection, the one rejecting and the one receiving rejection. If you do not receive the rejection, bad fruit will not be manifested. You can only produce good fruit. If you receive the rejection, only bad fruit will be produced. Matthew 12:33 says, “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
Just because others reject your vision doesn’t mean you are excused from the vision. The vision is God’s vision not theirs and really is not fully yours because you are the co-owner of the vision. God is the true owner of the vision therefore we must put His will before anything that will immobilize you manifesting the vision. Let God handle the ones who reject the vision and you do your part in the manifestation of the vision.
You’ll notice in the last objective listed, I said you’ll learn how to remove the impact rejection has on you. Unfortunately, because you cannot control other people’s actions, you can only change what you believe and how you respond.
Your assurance is knowing God’s character, knowing God’s heart, knowing God’s plan, and knowing God’s purpose for you. Draw from God’s love.
SPIRITUAL ASSIGNEMNT:
Ask yourself if you truly know who you are in Christ. Does the fruit you bear or lack of support who you are in Christ? If you feel stuck or being held back from manifesting your vision, begin to seek God by praying and meditating on the following scriptures. Set a goal to find out who you really are (the truth) and commit to aligning up with Him.
SCRIPTURE FOCUS:
Colossians 3:13 Psalm 94:14
Psalm 34:18 Romans 5:3-5
1 Peter 4:12 John 31:31
Deuteronomy 31:8 Psalm 66 :20
Romans 12:2
Philippians 4:13
1 Peter 2:4
Matthew 21:42-43
Mark 8:31-32, 35-38
Luke 10:22-23
John 12:43
Romans 15:7
God bless!