Rejection: Part 2

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10, "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, I am strong."

If I were a betting man, I would confidently say that many of us, and a large percentage at that, take rejection extremely personal.

That begs the question, "Why?"

What is it about rejection that causes us severe pain? Is it a mirrored reflection of our insecurities? Do insults really matter? Does being rejected, at the end of the day, matter that much?

In these two verses written by Paul, we see bold claims. "Delighting in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution-which he knew on an ongoing and personal, daily level-, and in difficulties.

What can we draw from Paul's ability to embrace the variety of forms that as humans we will undoubtedly face?

If you have heard it once, you will certainly hear it as a continual, running theme in this book. It was ALL in his perspective.

The key to Paul's endurance and resolve in his race to relay the message of the "Great Commission" and the love which God has to offer is in a personal relationship  with Jesus Christ. He was not just a man like us who appeared and vanished in a period of thirty-three years.

We are human. We are subject to a sinful nature because of the mistakes of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Knowing that, first and foremost, can help us form a foundation for personal growth in Christ.

Be reminded of the promises of God. Paul says in Philippians 4:19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Is it not awesome and humbling that we can trust a mighty God to bless us will all of our needs? Who else can do that? We must believe in that, and have faith in that, as in God's time, and according to His glory, our needs will be met.

Placing too much emphasis will slant our view of how God will meet those needs. Not only your immediate and basic, necessary needs, but also the desires of your heart that lie squarely in the plan that God has you on. And our plans are not always His. A harsh reality, but another strong principle for us to "wrap our heads around."

 Rejection is part of life. Plain and simple. As in other things, it is what we do with it. We can choose resolve, look for wisdom, cherish our advisors; especially those whose beliefs align with ours. Our God is an "on time God." Never take for granted the promises.

Your needs WILL be met.