Overcoming Rejection (4)

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Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. - Luke 17:3 (LSB)
Bull in a china shop
Overcoming Rejection (4)

Picture courtesy of youtube.

You may sometimes have to confront behavior that is negatively affecting you. Jesus spoke the verse above, but that doesn't give you the right to vent your anger or charge in like a bull in a china shop. Some people are bulls in china shops, very emotional. Using anger, as a mask for their own insecurities, they are fueled and run by their emotions. They use humiliation and fear tactics to get what they want. Instead of leading others, like a good shepherd, they drive them. They turn into tyrants and who wants to live with a tyrant? But Jesus also said:

"Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.” - Luke 13:4

Building on that is the thought: Respect the other person's decision not to pursue a relationship with you. They may not belong in your life, and you may not belong in theirs. Think about the last time you went shopping. Did you buy every item you examined? Of course not. Did you reject them because they were inferior? Probably not. You simply decided they were not for you.

If you experience a pattern of rejection and you're baffled about the cause, you may want to consider finding out why. I want to note here as someone who has suffered in the past from poor self-image issues, due to a spouses destructive emotional abuse, that unless your appearance has drastically changed it is the last thing that is the problem. They were initially attracted to you, or you wouldn't have been together. But ask God what you look like in His eyes. Then talk to a friend who saw the relationship from the outside and may have some insights, then if you still don't know why the relationship ended, talk to your ex. Just remember:

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. - Proverbs 27:6

Sometimes it's wise to ask, 'I'd like to get some feedback from you for my personal development. My objective here is not to resume our relationship. I would just like to ask what it was that made you decide to terminate it. I'd really appreciate your honest feedback.' Be sure to project an upbeat attitude, not a negative one. Listen objectively and don't be defensive. You are gathering information. And be willing to change if there is merit to what they say.