Unmasked - Dare to Be the Real Youნიმუში

DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

Words can cause us to experience a feeling of rejection. They can reinforce the worst of what’s been said to us in the past. We all long to be accepted and valued, but words of rejection can cause us to believe the lies we hear about ourselves. 

Rejection was also Jesus’ reality.  

He lived with it because He knew his Father had a purpose for His life. He chose to remain steadfast despite the rejection He suffered from the time of His birth. He was able to do this because unity with His Father surpassed all else. Jesus was intentional in connecting with God and communicated with Him constantly. His last act before His death was one of acceptance; the thief next to Him received His acceptance before he died. 

The reality is that we can hold onto rejection because we are unable to forgive. So, what’s the process to forgive and unmask the rejection in our lives? 

Forgiveness is an act of will; it involves learning to trust again. We have to take our rejection and hurt and lay it at the foot of the cross, and we have to keep reminding ourselves that we must forgive to set ourselves free and to release our accuser. It is good to remember that God forgave us for rejecting Him, so we should forgive others who have hurt us. The Lord’s prayer tells us this. Forgiveness can also be viewed as an opportunity and a lesson in our lives to help us grow in our understanding of His grace. God uses situations and people to help us grow. 

Here is a prayer about forgiveness: Lord, I forgive (name of person) for (name the specifics). I refuse to give this offence any more of my time and any more of my emotional capacity. I give this area of my life back to the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray this in His name and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

TAKEAWAYS

Forgive because I have been forgiven.

Release the person that has rejected us from the debt that we feel is owed us.

View those we have forgiven as opportunities and life lessons.

DECLARATIONS 

Heavenly Father, I give You my mask of rejection. I know You were rejected, and You understand my feelings of rejection. I choose to release them into Your hands right now. Heal my heart. Help me to move forward and move my focus from my past to a glorious expectation for my future. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

REFLECTIONS

How can I react to rejection by following the example Jesus set?

What will my response be if I struggle with forgiveness?

Arrange these actions into your priorities in dealing with rejection: 

__ Renewing my mind about who I am

__ Praying

__ Communicating with my Father

__ Getting up from being knocked down

__ Accepting what God has said about me 

(Now put them into practice!)