Facing Fears: Fear of Rejection

Happy Friday!

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Hope this week is winding down nicely for you! To continue our fear series - I am going to focus on the fear of rejection today!Fear of rejection has had its 15 minutes of fame, a time or two for many. For most it begins as wanting to belong or feel accepted by others. Most of my encounters with this feeling have been in looking for a job, forming new relationships (dating/friendships), and maintaining old ones. 

Some have even experienced this by being forced to care about things by others. Your father wants you to be a doctor, so you pursue a path in life to be accepted as the 'good child' by him. Often times people resort to phoniness in trying to pretend they are something that they are not. Not being their true selves that God created them to be. People-pleasing also arrives when dealing with this fear. 

The word, "No."

It all starts with the word "No." When we were little, we hated hearing this word. I have a 9 month old and everytime I tell her "No" she gives me this look like she does not like that word! Its telling her you can't do this, or you can't have that, or not your way - but this way instead. 

God tells us "No" all the time. If we listen or not, is another story. I've been on both sides of situation. I know when I follow and listen to God, things always work out. But we are wired to wanting to do things we want to do, our way. 

We should understand that good things can come in funny packages sometimes. Being told no or being rejected has never been fun or easy for anyone. The trick is learning to embrace that the answer "No" can always be a possibility when asking or reaching for something. "No" may not the end. It may just be like a parent telling a child, "No, not right now" or "No, not that way." When you look at it in that perspective it can help you see it better. I know my parents had good intentions for me, they would say "No" for good reason. Even though I didn't understand it then, did it make it less of a good reason? No. (No pun intended)

With Christ we can have confidence in our future. Knowing that no matter what the outcome may be, if we love and live for Him that closed doors can mean better opportunities ahead. Romans 8:28, one of my favorites says:

"And we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose."

We are not always going to know the reason we are being told "No". Heck, sometimes we may feel we are well qualified, well suited and ready and willing to take on what we are reaching for. But many times when we are told "No," we get upset. We get frustrated and we take our eyes off of the prize. Not remembering, we can still get there, but it may be a different way. 

Embracing the journey, the yes's and no's, the good with the bad, and seeing it all in one big picture. If we follow Christ through it all, it all will be beautifully weaved together to discovering and fulfilling our purpose here on earth. If we look at each speck on the paper, we can see bad, hurt, and disappointing times. But all together with the good it can be seen as a beautiful picture. Painted perfectly. 

What are you experiences with fear of rejection?

I would love for you to share you thoughts and comments below, you never know when you may be helping someone!!

Have a great weekend!

-J

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