Rejection

Being rejected is painful when it occurs, and the sting can last for decades or even a lifetime. However, there are valuable lessons in rejection.

First, rejection is information. I tried three or four network marketing ventures. I never had more than one person in my downline. I personally know a few people who have done exceptionally well with network marketing, so I know the system works, but it didn’t work for me. When no one came to my events, and no one was interested in joining my group, that rejection was valuable information. It let me know that network marketing was not for me.

Second, rejection is ammunition. Returning to my network marketing example, I’ve been drawn to entrepreneurship since I was a teenager. When the network marketing model didn’t work for me, I knew I had to find another path to gainful self-employment. Knowing that a certain route was not available to me, forced me to get quiet and think about what I could do with my gifts and talents. The rejection I felt when friends and associates would not try my network marketing toy/travel site/long distance service/candles fueled my determination to figure out my path to success.

Most importantly, rejection is a reminder of the imperfection of man. We can build the most functional product, have great marketing, price it right and still have it flop. Why? Who knows? People are fickle. Maybe the invention should have been offered in red instead of white. We humans are selfish and sinful, yet God does not reject us. We fall, ask for forgiveness and we’re right back in God’s good graces.

Man’s rejection is the ultimate contrast to God’s grace. The world will reject us because we’re too short, too round, too smart, too ambitious, or too something else. People reject us because of our pedigree or because we are unrefined. But not God. His acceptance is unconditional. When you’re rejected, remember the One who loves and accepts you just as you are.