The Goliath of Rejection

Loneliness and rejection are monsters that will devour you until there’s nothing left. They have to be overcome. But you can’t reason your way out of them; that just makes you self–piteous and paranoid. You can’t keep pushing them down, either, or you’ll eventually become them, and do your own rejecting of anyone who disagrees or frightens you. And you know medicating them only lasts for so long before there’s serious damage to your heart, mind, and body.

You need people. We all do. But none of us can be fulfilled and secure by depending on what others say and do. Eventually, someone’s going to hurt and disappoint you. Loneliness and rejection have to be overwhelmed by their greater opposite, a love so powerful, so unrelenting, and fills you so completely, they have no way to hang on. Once God’s love has washed over them, no offense, not even the wounds from someone close, have enough unhealed areas for them to hold onto.

You grow with your awareness of God’s presence, and shrink from lack of it. That’s why it’s easy to fall into dark holes when you’re focused on yourself and your circumstances, and why you can overcome mountainous obstacles when you’re full of his faith, hope, and love. “With God, I can leap over any wall” (Psalm 18:29b). Rejection may be a vicious giant, but like David, you’re not overwhelmed by Goliath’s size because you’re so focused on God’s presence.

Some think it was a desire for meaning that compelled humans to create religious relationships. But I know it was God’s desire for meaningful relationships that compelled him to create humanity.