Keep It SimpleНамуна

I Fear Being Rejected

Possibly the most intimidating barrier to sharing our stories is fear of rejection. In John 4, we read that many but not all the people who heard the woman’s story believed and decided to follow Jesus themselves. Fear of rejection is the toughest obstacle to overcome because it can knock your confidence and deter you from giving it another go when opportunities arise. A no, a bad experience, or simply the fear of a bad experience can stop you from ever speaking.

Let’s not sugarcoat the issue: At some point, you will be rejected. Surveys indicate that one in three people are open to an encounter with Jesus, but that means two out of three aren’t. Jesus was repeatedly rejected during His time on earth – by His disciples, by His own brothers, by the people of His hometown, by the religious leaders of the day, and ultimately by the bloodthirsty crowd who called for His crucifixion. Jesus accepted rejection as part of His ministry and taught His disciples how to handle it when they faced it: ‘If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ In other words, eagerly look for opportunities to tell your story, ready to shake it off when rejection comes your way.

Remember, when someone rejects your invitation, they’re not rejecting you. Your friendship is still intact. Respect their decision and move on. Be prepared to say, “Thank you for listening” instead of instinctively getting confrontational or abruptly leaving. Then, carry on your conversation on a more mutually agreeable topic.

Instead of fearing that people will reject you, accept it, and prepare for it. That way, it doesn’t catch you off guard and you’re more likely to be able to graciously shake it off. And again: engage with people gently and respectfully. Our non-Christian friends should know that we love and esteem them.

As you prepare to share your story, may you be ready for any possible outcomes. Don’t let fear paralyse you from taking part in the great commission. Jesus has given you the authority to go – so, go. You have a story to tell of a life transformed. You have hope for the hopeless and a story of finding security when so many around you are drowning in doubt. And only you are uniquely positioned to reach the people in your world. May you know that you’re equipped to share your story with clarity, confidence, and conviction. Just keep it simple.

This plan was adapted from the series Keep It Simple on RightNow Media. To find out more, visit: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/af/get-access