Toward Something Better

Every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being redirected to something better.  ~Steve Maraboli

Rejection hurts, even when there is no ill-will meant by the person or group doing the rejecting.  Rejection hurts, even if it comes out of a decision that’s intended for the greater good.  There is no way around it. Rejection hurts. Have you ever felt rejected? I have.  I recently experience a role change that caused me to feel unwanted, unappreciated, and yes, rejected.

I reacted to this perceived rejection with feelings of anger and deep sadness.  I vented to close family and friends.  I cried.  I sought wise counsel.  And then I started paying attention to what God was trying to tell me in the midst of my turmoil.  In a devotion I read; in a discussion with friends; in the sympathetic words  and advise from a trusted church leader;  I began to recognize that God might be trying to send me a message.  Maybe I was not really being rejected.  Maybe I was being redirected to something different.  Maybe God wanted my attention focused on something else—something better.  I had already been thinking about making a change—I just wasn’t quite ready to take that first step away from something that had been so important in my life. Maybe I needed a nudge.

I struggle, sometimes, with a feeling of loss, but I’m beginning to recognize that God is at work leading me where he wants me to go.   My changed role will allow me to focus more on my calling as a women’s ministry leader, and give me space to move into some new areas of ministry.  I’ll have more time for Bible study and blog preparation, and time to challenge myself with some longer writing projects.  I’ve even become quite excited about a new endeavor I’m working on for the near future.  I’ll be telling you more about that soon.

Are you dealing with a feeling of rejection right now?  Are some plans you made not working out the way you wanted?  Is so, take a step back and ask God if He is trying to move you in different direction.  Let go of the hurt and let God bring healing.  If you seek His guidance, He will lead you to the path you should be traveling.

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.  ~Proverbs 16:9

Rejection, or redirection?  Sometime it’s hard to know the answer to that question, but God knows.  Let’s ask Him!

Be blessed, my friends.