Promises That Overpower Rejection

by Kristine Brown @KristineBrown43

“Number 17, number 9, number 4…,” the master called out, as the group of aspiring ballerinas stood there in our best black leotards and pink tights. Hearing my number would mean just one thing: I would be a snowflake in the Nutcracker ballet! I held my breath in anticipation, but my number wasn’t called.

The new snowflakes skipped out of the room where proud mommas waited. I lined up in the corner with the remaining ballerinas. The next group called would join the cast as party clowns. Not as glamorous as a snowflake, but still included. One by one we cartwheeled across the floor. The girls with the best cartwheels heard their numbers. Unfortunately, my cartwheel didn’t show much promise.

My last chance… the final few returned to the corner again. Our audition neared its end, but the director still needed to cast the final group – the mice! Not as fun as a party clown, but at least I would get to participate. He sang the directions in cadence, “Run out into the center and act like a mouse.”

 How does a mouse act, anyway? I thought.

Without a clue what to do, I followed the other mice candidates. I scurried, scratched my nose, and wiggled my tail with as much mice-like conviction as I could muster. It just wasn’t enough. With the final numbers still lingering in the air, my Nutcracker dreams died.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV

Rejection doesn’t end when we grow up. Those same feelings that caused such pain when we were young can affect us as women, too. Even when I feel like I’ve moved beyond the need for acceptance, one simple event can take me back to that memory – the day my number wasn’t called.

It could be an email stating my writing isn’t what they’re looking for, a call saying they’ve given the job to another applicant, or that thought wondering why I wasn’t invited to lunch with the other ladies.

Any of these scenes can send me back to those moments on the dance floor, holding my breath once again, feeling that heavy heart-drop when I’m not included. But when those feelings of rejection surface, we have four strong promises from the verse above to hold close.

God goes before me.

God will be with me.

God will never leave me.

God will not forsake me.

The truth is, we never have to feel abandoned when we have God. Rejection is a lie created to make us think we are less than who God says we are. Deuteronomy 31:8 speaks straight to that lie and offers hope. Let’s read these words right out loud today, and let God’s words give us the courage to stand firm against rejection. God goes before me. He will be with me. He will never leave me. He will not forsake me.

Proclaiming these promises restores our sense of identity as daughters of the King. So even if we aren’t destined to be a snowflake, a party clown, or a mouse, God’s plan is more fabulous than we can imagine. And His love for us will overpower rejection. Every. Single. Time.

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Promises That Overpower Rejection – insight from @KristineBrown43 on @AriseDailyDevo (Click to Tweet)

About the author: Kristine Brown is a communicator at heart, sharing insight with her readers in relatable  ways. Her life experiences serve as a backdrop for her lessons that highlight God’s powerful Word and redemptive grace. She is the founder of the non-profit organization, More Than Yourself, Inc. Read Kristine’s weekly devotions at kristinebrown.net or connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Do you ever question whether you measure up? Kristine’s book, Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan,  learn the solution to a battle all women face. Through practical Bible teaching, find contentment in your God-given uniqueness and take simple steps to claim victory over comparison. Learn how to say “I’m over it” and mean it!

Join the conversation: When is the last time you felt rejected?