Quiet Time Journaling.
I have struggled with rejection for a very long time.
I didn’t realize how much that seeped into my life until recently.
Not asking for help when it is abundantly clear I need it: fear of rejection.
Not sharing my gifts/talents with the world: fear of rejection.
Not sharing my thoughts/ unwillingness to speak up: fear of rejection.
Not willing to take God at his word and step out on faith where he leads me: fear of rejection. This one is huge.
I used to walk around with this fear that if God asked me to do something, if the Bible says to do something, if I feel led to do something…and I do it wrong, then it’s over. “God hates me.” “He will never ask me to do anything again.” “I’m canceled.” “You suck, Selena.”
Very dramatic. I know.
Fear of rejection is rooted in not understanding and believing that God loves you.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
When the foundation of God’s love in my life is built, that foundation now allows me to challenge and stand face to face with my fears and put them in their proper place.
None of these things can separate me from God, and none of these things are bigger than God. Therefore this frees me to take more action and overcome fear of being rejected.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
These scriptures identify us as children who are loved by God and adopted into his family.
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— Ephesians 1:4-5
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15
I know God therefore I have nothing to fear.
I will walk in faith today, nothing can separate me from the Father who already chose me.
Reflection:
- What does fear of rejection look like relationally in my life with people and with God?
- Where might these fears be coming from? i.e. event, relationship, overall experience
- Which scripture from my Google search am I going to hold onto today and reference when/if I’m feeling fear?
Rise and Shine Bright.
Selena Chambers – Our Writers