Rejection

One of the greatest tests of our character is dealing with rejection and suffering. No one likes it! But rejection is inevitable. Sooner or later, all of us will experience it. And when it happens, we can’t help but ask ourselves some questions: Why me? What did I do wrong? Then come the thoughts we rehearse over and over, replaying that moment of rejection…wishing we’d seen it coming so we could avoid it.

But the Scriptures reveal to us that when it comes to living like Jesus Christ, there will be rejection. 2 Timothy 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 10:24-25, “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!”

And in John 15:18-21, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the one who sent me.”

How did Jesus handle it? He spent a lot of time with God in prayer. A lot of time meditating on God’s will and promises to us. It’s through that reflection, and the support and comfort from brethren, that we start to see that rejection is a normal reaction of those still opposed to the truth.

Peter said in 1 Peter 4:12-19, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you… So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

Time after time, we’re told and reminded of God’s comfort during even the toughest obstacles in life. Persecution for doing right comes in many different forms – even from within the church. But take comfort in these verses as you experience it in your life:
Luke 6:22-23, Acts 5:41, Phil 1:29-30, James 5:10-11