Beauty from Ashes - A Continual Process

A friend​ posted a quote by Irvin D. Yalom and for feedback from fellow fb friends. I responded saying simply -  "rejection hurts." Later she asked me if​ I would elaborate on my comment.  I did.  I've prayerfully decided to share my heart on this most vulnerable topic. Irvin D. Yalom who wrote, “There was a time in our lives when we were so close that nothing seemed to obstruct our friendship and brotherhood, and only a small footbridge separated us. Just as you were about to step on it, I asked you "Do you want to cross the footbridge to me?" - Immediately you did not want to anymore; and when I asked you again you remained silent. Since then mountains and torrential rivers and whatever separates and alienates have been cast between us, and even if we wanted to get together, we couldn't. But when you now think of that little footbridge, words fail you and you sob and marvel.” ​ Childhood wounds, and a great need for the Father’s Healing and redemption ...

Why do we feel defensive?  Rejected?  Insecure?  Alone?  These are normal human emotions that bubble up when the Spirit of God is not reigning in our hearts.  There is an easy solution.  I say easy, but we make it so hard.  If we could just let go of trying desperately to be accepted, like an orphan does, and instead live like the child of God THAT WE ARE, we would be calm!  I watched my sweet adopted nephew try to be loved and in the process push away love...wounded and confused by what he thought was love, and gently folded into to a family of true love.  This true love was healing and his true self, the one God calls out of us, is becoming healthy and filled with the love of God.  We do the same thing.  And it takes time...God gives us time.  We push, we pull, we run toward, then away, we hold on tight, and often we completely build a wall.  But God tears down walls!  Amen?! We are all orphans without Go...

Triggers of past rejection, poor self-image, self-hatred can pound heavily on the door of my heart, if I don’t guard it with prayer and Scripture.  I’m going to focus on “ rejection ” right now because that was a big area of my heart that needed God’s healing. I recently put a status on facebook about being “ complete in Christ ,” not in a “completed list of tasks!”   I think this “ rejection thing ” falls into the " completion " category for me.  The reason is, I start to believe that when I am finally accepted by everyone in appearance, accomplishments, abilities, … then I will be " complete " enough to be ok with me and with God!  You can see how the chase after these things, can distract heavily from the chase after God’s heart and His plans.   For me, I will never be complete in my own efforts, never satisfied! I share this openly because I pray that the " rejection " you feel will fade as the "lie" that it is for you!  The slightest w...