Rejected by Man, Approved by God

First, off Hey Family, it's been a few months since I wrote, and much has changed including my cross-country move yet that is a story for another day. Today I just want to share something profound God is doing in my life through the pain. Recently I had a parent-teacher conference for my son and his teacher informed me that he seeks approval from his friends. For example, if he does a good job at something he wants everyone to applaud him or say that he did well. Instantly the mom in me is like not my child he is going to be confident no matter what others think.

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; - Psalms 118:22

I began addressing the issue when I saw it arise at home. His little sister said he lost while racing to the car one day and he actually got there first because she said that he immediately thought he was a loser. At that moment I saw that beyond him knowing he reached the car first in all actuality winning, it didn't register at all because an outside voice did not confirm this win. At that exact moment, it was time for me to address and let him know that he is enough and he is a winner not because mommy said it but because God said it. Now God's word didn't say those exact things but I began to quote what His word says: that he is loved, that he is more than a conqueror through Jesus, and whatever else I can remember at that moment.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light - 1 Peter 2:9

It seemed to cheer him up. As we rode down the 101 I told him it doesn't matter what anyone says about you only what you and God think about you. Anything that didn't line up with God's word is a lie and it's not who you are. I reminded him that God is more powerful than monsters, superheroes, and anything in between. He smiled "God can beat vampires?"

So excited, "I responded he can beat everything." That moment I felt an ease come upon him and a lesson for myself.

The question arose did I practice what I was instilling in my child? Did I believe God's word and what he said about me or was allowing circumstances, failures, successes, or other people's opinions to shape who I am? See I thought I had overcome it but the next day after I was going to be tested. Someone dear to my heart let me know they didn't want anything to do with me and this crushed my whole world. It was going to be like I was my son crying because someone didn't see me as valuable. The feelings of hurt and rejection were so loud that I began to ask what did I do wrong, why doesn't this person accept me for who I am and want to love me, or even just like me?

After thinking about everything and crying one of those ugly cries I realized I would have to tell myself what I told my son. Rejection by man is often aligned with approval from God. God had already put His stamp of approval and said He formed me this way. The love that He has for me wouldn't change even when people didn't love me. See God loved me even when I was doing everything right and so at that moment I decided to receive God's love. Receiving God's love didn't mean that the pain magically erased but the narrative would be changed. Just because man rejected me didn't mean I wasn't enough but that God called me chosen meaning I'm wanted by God.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10

See the enemy's job was to get me to believe a lie that I was rejected, abandoned, not loved, and not wanted because then all my decision and actions going forward will come from that place of hurt. Yet God's plans are for me to be free from the bondage of hurt and to be able to love freely and carry out his will. Today I believe I passed maybe by the skin of my teeth but before the seed of rejection could be replanted God plucked it out.

My prayer is for anyone struggling with rejection that you know you are loved and that God has chosen you. I pray you forgive those who hurt you by talking about you, offending you, betraying you, leaving you, and putting you down. I pray the love of God enters your heart and you began to read and meditate on what God's word says about you and not those who are around you and sometimes not even yourself. Lord each person reading this today I ask that you deliver them and heal them from all spirits or rejection and abandonment and that freedom comes to their mind, body, and soul in Jesus' name.

Amen