Are you afraid of rejection ?

"I am the one who comforts you. Who are you, to be afraid of the mortal man ... whose fate is that of grass ?" Isaiah 51.12

One way to overcome the fear of rejection is to appreciate things at their true value. You can listen to the opinions of others, but never hold them to be more important than they are.

Do not worry, said Isaiah, if mortal man speak evil of you. Only the opinion of God counts.

In the verse of today, Isaiah says that our life on earth lasts only a while, so why be afraid of what others think ? They are not God and in any case, their opinions have no eternal scope.

Do not worry, said Isaiah, if mortal man speak evil of you. Only the opinion of God counts. Do not think that the judgments of others are infallible or directly inspired by God. You do not have to automatically accept their criticism ; Take them for what they are worth. Why do you say that ? Because, when you give undue importance to the approval of others, you expose yourself to the fear of rejection.

The Bible says : "What will we say about this ? If God is for us, who will be against us ?" (Romans 8:31). If you really realize that God is for you, you are able to face the most virulent opposition.

For some people, all that counts is to be well seen, renowned or applauded. "What do others think of me, how do they see me ?" I absolutely have to give a good picture of myself.

By reacting in this way, I am at the mercy of anyone's judgments. If others consider me a loser, it is because I am one! If they think I'm a poor guy, they're probably right. As far as I'm concerned, I do not want to live like that. And you ? God never wanted that. He said to you, "Why are you listening to them, they are only mortal men, my opinion counts, they do not last longer than the grass."

Paul asserts that his purpose in life is to please God and not to men. "And now, is it the favor of men that I desire, or that of God ? Do I seek to please men ? If I still please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).

The choice belongs to me. I can choose from whom I seek approval : from God or from men.

A reflection for today

Who do you want to please above all ? To the crowd or to God ? Paul says you can not please both at the same time. You have to decide who you want to impress. Just remember who is the "whose fate is like grass".

Rick Warren

Source (The Thought of the Day)