Too often in our lives we experience the hurt of discouragement and rejection. So often we feel as though nothing else could possibly go wrong, and then it does.... You fight with a friend, you fail a test, you get fired from a job, you get cut from the sports team, you loose an important relationship, and your dreams and plans fall apart before your eyes.
It is so common to encounter painful times in our lives where God feels distant. It feels as though we walk the hard road alone, and no one understands the struggles we are going through. When disappointment comes, it floods our lives all at once, and defeat slowly creeps in until we feel like giving up.
Personally, I have struggled with discouragement in my life a lot lately. Every time I turn the corner I face more rejection, or someone telling me I'm not quite good enough. At least so it seems, I know people don't intend to make me feel that way, but the reality of it is, I just can't help feeling discarded and worthless. I catch myself buying into the lies that Satan desperately wants me to believe. He wants me to give up and throw in the towel. He wants me to think there is no hope for my life. Yet God's word tells me otherwise. He desires to build character within my life, and mature me, so I can be more available to do His work.
"More than that, we rejoice in our suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." ~ Romans 5:3-5
Even during the hardest and most disappointing times in our lives, God is creating Christ-like character among us. Suffering is a part of God's plan to make us more compassionate and loving. However, He does not make us go through the struggles alone, but walks with us every step of the way, and gives us strength to keep moving forward despite opposition. In fact, in Deuteronomy 31:8, we 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."
God also tells us not to give up because His plan is far beyond our comprehension; If something doesn't work out the way we expect it to, we must recognize God's sovereignty, knowing He never shuts one door without opening another, which is far better according to His plan for each of us!
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 " So we do not lose heart. Though, out outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Be encouraged, my dear readers! Jesus will never forsake you in no matter what trials you go to. Jesus is like your best friend, the first person to go to, when you're down and depressed, Jesus will be there to give you a hug and lend you a hand. God will let you be tempted, but He will never let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. Rejection is part of life,so what if your friends think negative stuff about you? Keep walking in faith in Christ, and they're the uncool ones. You know, Jesus knows rejection better than anyone else in the world, he was rejected countless times, when he went around to preach, and people thought he was crazy and did not deserve to call himself the Son of Man. Ultimately, he wants to mend your heart and restore you, so He can use you for something awesome, something amazing. Let him use your talents to build His kingdom. Keep your faith and just wait and see. :)
Sincerely,
Leon Lim.
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