It’s not Over until it’s Over

Rejection hurts no matter what shape it comes in.

I told the whole world that I joined a free online dating service for one week. I had low expectations and a cynical attitude. You can’t touch me, I thought. It’s just a computer. The people aren’t really real… You get the picture.

The first thing I did was look for my “friend”. He’s the one whose profile was innocently sent to me by my cupid friend in the hopes of attracting my attention to the online dating world. She did. I decided to send him a friendly message. What’s the harm between friends? I kept it light and simple. I guess I had some expectations.

I couldn’t help myself. I kept checking my messages for a response. I could also track when this guy read my sent message. It took him 4 days to read it.

And then nothing.

No response. No checking my profile. No wink or smile or instant message or whatever else the online dating world does.

Just nothing.

The truth is that rejection hurts no matter what shape it comes in. It doesn’t matter that the guy is someone I haven’t thought about in months, or that online dating just “doesn’t work”! It doesn’t matter that I have absolutely no time for a relationship at this point of my life!

Rejection hurts. No matter what.

And it comes in various shapes and colors. You’ve been waiting for a job, but the door slams in your face. You get passed up for a promotion, the customer service rep hangs up on you, all your facebook friends were at that party and posted great pics on fb for you to see, while you sat home alone wondering why in the world you weren’t invited.

Rejection stinks. Every single time.

How should you respond when you face rejection? Should you ignore it, act like it never happened, justify it, analyze it, dwell on it, or simply let it crush you?

Here are three things I remember when I face rejection.

I remember Jesus Christ, my Savior who knows all about it. Isaiah 53:3 says it this way: “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised and we esteemed him not”.

I remember my sovereign King, who has allowed it. Isaiah 46:9-10 says “for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.”

I remember the Alpha and Omega, who determines my future. The story is not over until God says it’s over. Psalms 118:22 says “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” No one witnessing the crucifixion of Christ would have predicted that 3 days later He would rise again. But today we worship the risen King, the chief cornerstone of everything.

Don’t write the end of your story before God does. Just keep your eyes fixed on Him and wait patiently for Him. He’s got your back.

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