Welcome to our journey into a series we are calling "Healing Fractured Relationships". Together we are seeking the Lord's wisdom and guidance for our relationships: all relationships. Why? Because all relationships matter.

Whoever those people are that matter most to you, that's who we are talking about today and in the weeks to come. And most specifically, we are talking about relationships in our lives that are hurting.

Each week, as we talk about relationships, we will talk about specific tools that can help us. God's Word has truth for us, tools for us, regarding our relationships, especially those that are hurting.

Every single person knows something of today’s topic: rejection.

If you were to call to mind a time when you were rejected, there is probably still an ache associated with that.

But take heart, early on in your Bibles, not far from the very beginning, is one of the most profound cases of rejection in history.

It’s the story of a man named Joseph.

Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery and fabricate a lie to tell their father Joseph was killed by a wild animal.

Chapter 37 concludes with one final farewell note.
"Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard."

Rejected. Sent away unwanted. For Joseph’s brothers, this rejection seemed final.

But rejection was not final for Joseph, because man’s rejection does not equal God’s rejection.

It's important to acknowledge what we are experiencing physically, mentally and emotionally when we feel rejection.

Data suggests that our brains interpret rejection like we would actual physical pain. Our bodies are hardwired to respond to rejection.

But with the pain of rejection, researchers have found that the pain is 're-lived' over and over. The body and brain can respond multiple times over and over in a similar way as that emotional pain is experienced again and again. Rejection, quite literally, hurts.

It can cause our minds to fill with negative emotions, like guilt or shame.
We have thoughts like:
'I'm not worthy'
'I'm broken or flawed. No one could love me.'
'I always mess up. I'm never enough.'

We have to acknowledge these negative thoughts and emotions, but if we get stuck there then we are often blinded to God's truth.

Somewhere in the life of Joseph, he made a difficult but life-changing decision. We don't know exactly when, but it's clear somewhere along the way he decided to trust God in the midst of his hurt.
The hurt and pain of a rejection so unthinkable was real for him, but in spite of that, he chose to trust God's promises.

Joseph's life could have been so much different, right?
Rejection could have ruled him, instead, redemption did.

Jesus Himself understood what it was to be rejected.

God has a way of turning rejection into redemption.Jesus, the rejected one, is now in the glory of Heaven, with you on His mind.

One of the reasons the story of Joseph is one of the most significant in the Old Testament: in this life, the rejectors don’t get the last word.

"Every ounce of rejection you have faced was God grabbing your shoulders, positioning you into the proper direction, and moving you forward."
Amy Klutinoty

Verses for further study/reflection:
1 Peter 2:4
Psalm 34:17-20
John 15:18
Psalm 27:10
Psalm 94:14
Isaiah 53:3