Slaying The Giant Of Rejection

Proverbs 29:25
They are all driven by a deep fear of rejection.
"What will other people think of me?"
Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man will prove to be a snare. But whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."
What the fear of rejection does to us.
Allows others to manipulate us.
Causes us to conform to peer pressure.
Keeps us from speaking the truth.
Prevents us from giving and receiving love.
Causes shyness and loneliness.
Produces depression and unhappiness.
Silences our sharing about Jesus.
John 12:43-44 "Many believed in Jesus, but they would not admit it for fear of the Pharisees. They were more concerned to have the approval of men than the approval of God."
How to overcome the fear of rejection.
 
1. Put God in first place.
  • Psalm 27:1 "The Lord is my light and my salvation. I will fear no one."
  • Light illuminates.
  • "When I'm confused and afraid, God lights my way."
  • Light protects. 
  • Light energizes.
  • It doesn't matter if somebody rejects you; God won't.
  • "Lord, You are my light and my salvation. I don't need to look to anyone else to brighten my day, for You are my strength."
  • "Save me from the insults I fear. I want to obey Your commands. Show me how much You love me, Lord. Then I can answer those who insult me."
  • 2 Timothy 2:15 "For yourself, concentrate on winning God's approval."
2. Put people in their place.
  • Isaiah 51:12 "The Lord says, ‘I'm the One who strengthens you. Why then should you fear the mortal man who is no more enduring than the grass?"   
  • You are to judge it for what it’s worth.
  • Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
  • You must make a choice.
  • Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
  • You may always be affected , but you don’t have to be directed .
3.  Put myself in the proper place.
  • Psalm 8:5 "You, God, made man inferior only to Yourself. You crowned him with glory and honor."
  • Ephesians 1:4 "Through what Christ did for us, He decided to make us holy in His eyes. Without a single fault, we stand before God covered with His love."
  • 2 Corinthians 10:18 "It is not self-condemnation that matters. It is winning the approval of God!"
  • What does God say about me?
  • Psalm 27:10 "Even if my mother and father forsake me, the Lord will receive me."