The Pain Of Rejection

One of the most painful feelings man can ever experience is the feeling of rejection.

To be rejected in any way hurts deeply, and the pain increases depending on the relationship between the rejected party and the one rejecting.

It is a fact that most of the addictions humans deal with are the result of turning to addiction as a response mechanism to the rejections we face.

Think about it; rejection from a spouse or a lover, rejection from a parent, rejection from an interview, rejection from friends, rejection from leadership… the list goes on and on.

Conversely, some of our greatest joys come from being accepted. To be accepted as a lover, accepted in a job interview, accepted by your parents, accepted as a leader… accepted by our friends. The joy of being accepted gives people a sense of being wanted, being of value.

Perhaps that’s why our punishment system in the world is based on the principle of rejection.

When a criminal is convicted and imprisoned, the subtle message behind that act is that society has rejected you. You are no longer fit to be part of us, so we reject you to a society of rejects, put behind long walls and far from others.

Even among prisoners, those who are regarded as the worst criminals are put in isolation. That is a state of re-rejection.

Understanding this idea of the pain of rejection gives a whole new perspective on what Christ has done.

Of Christ, it is written “He is despised and REJECTED of men,”

The result of His rejection was that Christ became a MAN OF SORROWS and acquainted with grief.

The ultimate rejection, the most painful rejection anyone shall ever face; the rejection from God, was taken up by Christ Jesus so that we might become ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED.

The most painful words ever to fall on human ears, depart from me, I never knew you… right from the lips of God, was experienced by Christ on our behalf.

Now, I want you to see Him on that cross, and with the background narrative regarding the pain of rejection, try to understand the pain that He was experiencing when He cried “Eli, Eli, lama Sabach’thani.. that is to say, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.

That pain was endured so that we may never have to pass through it.

Therefore, dear reader, whichever rejection you may be passing through may you receive solace that there is one who is ever ready to accept you. His name is God. Through Jesus, we are accepted in the beloved, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. That veil of separation in the sanctuary that marked our rejection from His presence was torn in between, granting us access to his throne. A new and living way, which Christ has consecrated for us, through the veil is open for all.

And with this assurance, there is an invitation for us: Let us, therefore, come boldly, unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in every time of need.

Yes, in every season of rejection, you may find Him ready to accept you.