For those of you who know, rejection hurts. So many people suffer from rejection and self-medicate with alcohol, weed, cigarettes, drugs, etc. Some people even go to lengths of self-mutilation by cutting themselves. I have to say that I have done all of these things, but it’s been years since I have cut myself. However, those who partake in drugs and alcohol don’t even realize that these coping mechanisms are forms of self-mutilation because it wears down the body over time, usually leading to premature death.

 “If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death. I do not say that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.” 1 John 5:16, 17

               The thing that I have always had a hard time accepting is that God loves me unconditionally. It doesn’t matter what I do, He is still there willing to help me. What I have done is place too much weight and emphasis on people and in turn, have made people into idols, affecting my relationship with God. This is why God so emphatically says, “you shall have no other gods before me… for I am a jealous God.” Exodus 20:3, 5. Jealous in today’s terms holds a negative connotation but what this word jealous specifically talks about is God’s right to be worshipped above anything or anyone else in our lives. He gave us life, crafted us together in our mother’s womb, and if we choose to believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, gave us right to be His children.

“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12, 13 (ESV)

Placing too much weight on people causes our devotion for God to go down and our emptiness to go up. People will ALWAYS let us down at some point and when they do, we are crushed and broken. For me, that usually leads to self-harm by going to get kratom to numb the pain despite how I feel the next day. However, today was different. I didn’t want to keep getting it and the Holy Spirit didn’t want me to get it either. So, He had a friend who is filled with the Spirit call me and another one text me. Not to mention, God had me start writing about rejection and it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest.

               The problem we face as humans is learning to accept the unwavering, unchanging love of God and let that be what fuels us into being better people who become capable of helping others who are struggling with self-worth.

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 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 4:16-18 (NIV)

Notice the word “rely.” Rely means we can put our weight on it, that we can be trusted that His love for us won’t waver when we mess up. When we can actually grasp and believe that God’s love is unshakeable, our foundation in His love becomes unshakeable. It is not based on what we do or don’t do, but on the precious blood of Jesus. If we are smart, we choose to listen to God and obey what He tells us to do. That is when blessings on blessings start to come in, and I’m not just talking about financial blessings but eternal blessings. We start to live life eternally rather than setting our minds on things in this world. We work to please God and act the way He would act. We choose not to continue to seek our own wants and needs but focus on what He wants for us, which funny enough, is actually what we end up wanting and needing. Who better to tell us how to live life than the one who gave us life? No one in this world, including ourselves, has the knowledge to know what one was created for except the Creator.

“You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Psalm 139:15, 16 (NLT)

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.” John 1:1-3 (NLT)

God has shown me time and time again that no one can possibly invest as much time and energy into someone as God would. He is always there, always waiting, always wanting to help those who call on the name of the Lord. People will let you down. They may be busy, may not know the right things to say, or maybe not even care enough to help you because they’re hurting too. But God is perfect love. He doesn’t care about what you did yesterday or 10 years ago. He wants to prosper you and not harm you. He crafted you for a purpose, a purpose only He can show you how to live and walk out. So next time you are feeling the rejection of the world, fix your eyes on God and He will show you the unending love He has to offer.

“Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never ends.” 1 Corinthian 13:4-8 (HCSB)

I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful…” Psalm 139:14 (HCSB)

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1, 2 (NLT)