Wednesday February 26, 2014 "Rejection: Is It Personal?"

"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious," 1 Peter 2:4

When we face rejection we must come to realize it is not us that is being rejected but Who we stand for and what we believe in. Scriptures tell us they are rejecting our Lord and Savior. Sometimes our faith can intimidate another. Sometimes it can make others uncomfortable or agitated. While others' envy can turn to jealousy if they feel their own walk is not as strong. Whatever the case, it is hurtful when we experience this kind of rejection. It hurts when it is a stranger but can you imagine how it hurts when it is your own family or close friends? As hard as it is to accept this behavior, we must for we cannot compromise our faith or water down our message because of another. Our allegiance is to the Lord and that is it. He is the only One that will never let us down. I don't care who you surround yourself with, at one point or another they will disappoint you. We will all disappoint someone at some point. Whether it is for what we said or perhaps what we did not do. None of us are innocent or superior to another. We all say and do things we shouldn't. We really have to take responsibility for it and try to learn from it. Don't reject someone because they do not believe like you or live like you. Instead love like God, forgive like God and accept like God. It really is the only way to overcome the cycle of rejection. Jesus faced more rejection in His short time on this earth than we will in a lifetime so do not grovel, pity yourself or complain. Do not let your sadness turn to anger then resentment toward another. Emotions will lie to you. Instead focus on God's love for you. You are chosen and you are precious to Him.