• To be rejected is to be cast aside, cast off, cast away—to be thrown away as having no value.
  • When you are rejected, you can feel useless, abandoned, worthless.
  • The Greek verb atheteo means “to do away with, to set aside, to cast or throw away as useless or unsatisfactory.”
  • Jesus challenged the Pharisees and teachers of the law because they were rejecting the laws of God.

“You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!”  

(Mark 7:9)

• To reject someone means to despise, refuse, shun, turn away from.
  • If you reject others, you use your attitudes and actions to reveal the condition of your heart.
  • The Hebrew word maas means “to reject, refuse, despise.”
  • Because God has given each of us free will, we may choose to reject the Word of God and even God Himself.

“The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what kind of wisdom do they have?”  (Jeremiah 8:9)

Question:  “My father died six years ago and I’m still having trouble dealing with the anger I’ve had toward him. He was partial to my brother and treated my sister, my mother, and me like second-class citizens. I tried to please him with my achievements and we never communicated and he never recognized my accomplishments. How can I stop being so controlled by my anger?”

Anger has four sources: hurt, fear, frustration, and injustice. The anger you describe comes from at least three of the four. The rejection you experienced is very hurtful. Seeking to please him and never achieving recognition is extremely frustrating and being treated in a negative way simply because you are a female is most unjust. The truth is that his treatment of you had nothing to do with you, but everything to do with him. He was the one in the wrong. His inadequacies let you down. Recognize this truth and turn loose of your expectations regarding him. Admit that your father was unable to be loving and accept him simply for being your father. Choose to forgive and release him to God so that your anger does not produce bitterness in your own heart.

“See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”  

(Hebrews 12:15)

The Fear of Rejection Test 

• Do you avoid certain people out of fear that they will reject you? 
• Do you become anxious when you think someone might not accept you? 
• Do you feel awkward around others who are different from you? 
• Do you feel disturbed when someone is not friendly toward you? 
• Do you work hard at trying to determine what people think of you? 
• Do you become depressed when others are critical of you? 
• Do you consider yourself basically shy and unsociable around others? 
• Do you try to see the negative in others? 
• Do you find yourself trying to impress others? 
• Do you look for clues as to how others are responding to you in order to avoid the pain of rejection? 
• Do you say yes when you should say no to others? 
• Do you expect others to respond to situations and conversations in the same way you would? 
• Do you hear people saying that you are a “codependent person”? 
• Do you experience hypersensitivity to the opinions of others but insensitivity to your own emotions? 
• Do you struggle with anger and resentment toward others? 
• Do you seem to be easily manipulated by others? 

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” 

(Galatians 1:10)

You Are Accepted Even When Rejected 

• Admit the rejection of the past and acknowledge its pain (Lamentations 3:19–23) 

• Claim God’s acceptance and unconditional love. (Isaiah 54:10) 

• Choose to forgive those who rejected you. (Colossians 3:13) 

• Expect future rejection as natural in a fallen world. (1 Peter 4:12–14) 

• Plant Scripture in your mind to produce new thought patterns (Romans 12:2) 

• Thank God for what you’ve learned through your rejection. (Psalm 119:71) 

• Encourage others as an expression of Christ’s love. (Hebrews 3:13) 

• Draw on the power of Christ’s life within you. (Philippians 4:13) 
• “I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16) 

Do You Feel Rejected by God? 

If you are thoroughly persuaded that God has rejected you, then you don’t know the God of the Bible and His special plan for you. 

• Know God’s character: 
  • God is love. (1 John 4:8) 
  • God loves you. (Jeremiah 31:3) 

• Know God’s heart: 
  • God wants to adopt you into His family. (1 John 3:1) 
  • God wants to be your guide through life. (Proverbs 3:5–6)
  • God wants to be your guide through life. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

• Know God’s plan: 
  • God offers salvation to all.(John 3:17) 
  • God wants everyone to be saved, including you. (2 Peter 3:9) 

• Know God’s purposes: 
  • God uses rejection to produce hope and Christlikeness (Romans 5:3–5) 
  • God gives you compassion and comfort, which, in turn, you can give to others. (2 Corinthians 1:3–5) 

“For I know the plans I have for you ... plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

(Jeremiah 29:11)

Key Verse to Learn 

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) 

Key Passage to Read 

Romans 8:28–39