My mother was the youngest one of two older sisters who wrongfully despised her because of the differences she possessed. She was despised among her sister’s because she did not resemble or share any of their characteristics.
They couldn’t comprehend why my mother had to be the distinctively different one of the bunch. But I’ve learned with living that people tend to reject what is deemed different than the majority.
Rejection overtime produced a wall of unforgiveness towards her sister’s, which in turn hindered a bond that most dear sisters desire to share. The tiny fragment of rejection birthed as a child grew into bigger walls of animosity even into adulthood.
Rejections Aftermath
Rejection can have a killer effect on the outcome of your life and relationships.
Rejection can be the root of bitterness, envy, jealousy, resentment, anger and even hate. Ouch!
How many times have we killed our brothers and sisters in Christ out of the frustrations and anger of rejection? The Bible says, “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer…” 1 John 3:15.
Although we are strong and intelligent human beings capable of thriving, in our own free will and power. But even in our strength, we can become weakened when feelings of disapproval are shown.
[Tweet “Don’t allow the disapproval of others stop you from obeying God’s voice”]
Ladies, it’s a never ending cycle even in our adulthood with the amount of rejection we can face from our peers, relationships, spouses, social clubs, and yes even other women. We have all had to face it one time or another.
Rejection is a common fear among us all that is not uncommon to God. Rejection is one of those hot spots that can make one feel inadequate or even unnatural. The women of the Bible were not exempt to this treatment, if not worse!
Leah’s Story
Take for example Leah, the un-chosen wife of Jacob.
Jacob had intentions to marry Rachael, however, found himself with Leah, whom he had no intentions to marry. But because he was deceived by Leah’s father he had no choice but to accept Leah as his wife.
Most people look at this story and often side with Jacob, but oh how rejected and angry Leah must have felt!
Knowing that the man she married never truly had intentions to marry her!
But isn’t it gratifying to know that even when Leah was looked at as least upon, God granted her blessings in the form of bearing four sons? Leah was met with rejection at the very start of her marriage and desperately hoped for love and acceptance from Jacob.
Each time she bore, the Bible never tells us that Jacob loved her further more. Leah had grown to accept her husband’s rejection, and after she bore her last child, she turned to God and praised him. The Bible doesn’t say this specifically, but in the times of being rejected by her husband, I like to believe that it was an attempt for God to show Leah that he is the source of her love, strength, and contentment.
What Rejection Can Teach Us
I’ve noticed in my personal life, that the rejection I faced was only a milestone that needed to occur in life so that I could learn to rely on his companionship.
When I lean not on my own understandings of things that life tosses at me, I begin to except that only blessings and fulfillment come from him.
We can sometimes get so caught up in wanting to feel accepted and not risking the pain of feeling rejected that we lose our individuality.
[Tweet “Our differences do not determine our ability to be used by God”]
God made us all unique, beautiful and with great intentions. God never intended for a person differences, looks, or talents to be the determining factor, over rather or not you can be used to promote Godly character and change.
So step out and take the lead already!
About the Author
Danielle Fleming is a pastor’s wife, mother of four boys, career woman, writer, speaker, and daughter of the King. She blogs at Loving Jesus First.
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