Navigating Rejection for Living by God’s Principles
Remember that when you choose to live according to God’s principles and not conform to the world’s patterns, you will face rejection. The world will reject you simply because your lifestyle does not fit the norm, even if you have done nothing wrong. As Jesus said, ‘If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.’ (John 15:19, NIV)
The world will love you as long as your lifestyle does not challenge its norms or values, but when you choose to live according to God’s principles, you will face rejection. This means that God has transformed, shaped, purified, and changed you, making you a new creation, as the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.’
This can make you feel as though you are the problem, but if you pay attention, you will realize that you are not. Your spirit is simply unsettling their spirits. That is why the Lord ensures you understand how this world works before He sends you forth to accomplish His mission. This perspective is based on life experience. That is what I have noticed, and that is what I have experienced.
However, when it comes to this particular subject, people fall into four distinct groups.
- The first category will support you and love you for who you are.
- The second category will reject you simply because you do not conform to the world’s standards.
- The third category will pretend to love you and try to get close to you because they have a mission to accomplish – and that mission is to harm you. Nevertheless, do not be afraid, for the Lord will guide you and be with you. The truth is that “The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.” (Deuteronomy 28:7, NIV)
- The fourth category consists of those who do not care at all. They are just there, watching what will happen, or they do not even care about what you do or not do. Therefore, seek God’s wisdom and discernment so that you can continue to do His work without distraction or interruption.
The Four Categories of Responses: Navigating Relationships in Faith
1. Recognition and Appreciation:
We can be grateful for the support and love we receive from the first category of people who accept us as we are, knowing that their acceptance is based on a genuine understanding and appreciation of our true selves, which fosters a sense of belonging and affirmation in our lives.
2. Disappointment or Hurt:
Facing rejection from the second category can lead to feelings of disappointment, hurt, or even anger, especially if we expect acceptance from those individuals. However, is this what God expects from us? We do not need to be accepted by everyone.
God wants us to focus on living according to His principles and finding our validation in Him, rather than seeking approval from the world. Instead of dwelling on the opinions of others, we are called to prioritize our relationship with God and fulfill the purpose He has for our lives.
3. Caution and Vigilance:
Learning about the existence of the third category, which claims to love but harbors harmful intentions, could encourage us to be more cautious and discerning in our relationships, and to guard against possible manipulation or harm by being vigilant about the sincerity and motivations of those around us.
4. Indifference or Disengagement:
The realization that some people fall into the fourth category, who are indifferent or apathetic, might lead to feelings of insignificance or loneliness. However, it could also prompt acceptance of the fact that not everyone will care about our actions or well-being.
5. Faith and Strength:
Ultimately, the advice to seek guidance from the Lord and rely on divine wisdom and discernment can offer us solace and strength in navigating through these different types of relationships. This may encourage us to stay focused on our faith and purpose, trusting that we are not alone in facing these challenges and that God is always with us, providing the strength we need to overcome obstacles and grow in our spiritual journey.
Conclusion
In navigating the diverse responses, we may encounter when living by God’s principles, it is crucial to remember that our true validation comes from God, not from the acceptance of the world. While we may face support, rejection, deceit, or indifference, our focus should remain steadfast on our relationship with God and His purpose for our lives.
Let us be grateful for those who recognize and appreciate our commitment to faith, find peace in knowing that rejection does not define us, exercise caution against deceit, and accept that some will simply be indifferent. Above all, let us seek God’s wisdom and discernment to guide us through these interactions, trusting in His promise to be with us always.
As we continue our spiritual journey, may we find strength in our faith, solace in God’s guidance, and unwavering courage to live according to His principles, regardless of the world’s response.
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