OVERCOMING THE
SPIRIT OF REJECTION (Part II)
We have learned
that Satan’s agenda is intensifying emotional struggles to produce long-term
negative effects, while God’s agenda is transforming our situations and shortcomings
into strengths and wisdom so we are positioned to assist others with similar
life experiences. To offset any perceived ‘minuses’ in our lives, God
always grants unique and powerful ‘pluses’ for balance today and achievement
tomorrow. Personal discovery of these God-given pluses is mission
critical to breaking out of the ‘rejection box’ and attaining forward progress
and fulfillment.
Even when others do
not seem to GET US, Satan does. His tactical portfolios on people are works-in-progress
from cradle to grave. Therefore, he is historically aware of OUR
EMOTIONAL BUTTONS, the best means of pushing them, and our probable response to
such pressure. I believe there are specific satanic forces, i.e. SPIRITS
OF REJECTION, whose primary mission is PRODUCING REPEATED CYCLES OF SIMILAR SETBACKS
via those who are closest and capable of causing serious pain and damage.
Often, these unwitting agents are our FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Once you have
identified your GOD-GIVEN PLUSES, it is imperative to use them proactively as
weapons to nullify demonic attacks that are expressly formulated to reactivate any
feelings of rejection. As you recall, the ‘minus’ that shaped my personal
self-image was a speech impediment. My God-given ‘plus’ was academic achievement.
Whenever I felt LESS-THAN, I consciously reminded myself of my potential
to excel in the classroom. In other words, I might not be super at hoops,
but I could be superlative in history! YOU, too, have GOD-GIVEN PLUSES!
Find and focus on them whenever significant others become unknowing
agents of lowering self-esteem and reviving feelings of rejection. Please
hear this with your spirit. It is imperative that you do so, or you will have
the potential to BECOME that which you now abhor.
Kingdom Principle
Number Two: HARBORING UNRESOLVED FEELINGS OF REJECTION ULTIMATELY CAUSES YOU TO
BECOME A REJECTER OF OTHERS. A renowned American psychologist, Abraham
Maslow, was convinced that childhood problems of self-esteem are far more
serious than commonly believed. He discovered that CHILDREN WHO FEEL REJECTED have
low rates of “pro-social behavior” (difficulty with sharing), high rates of “disruptive
behavior” (aggressiveness), high rates of “immature behavior” (impulsiveness
and inattentiveness) and high rates of “social anxiety” (fears they may never
fit in). He believed that this basic lack of self-esteem, if unchecked,
ultimately manifests as ADULT
DEPRESSION. In other words, our need for acceptance is so powerful
that, if unfulfilled, we are motivated to act out the opposite of what we
need. That is, we eventually withdraw
from the love and acceptance of significant others who are genuinely seeking
our good. Ironically, WE BECOME PASSIVE OR ACTIVE REJECTERS and
eventually find it challenging to sustain healthy long-term relationships.
Having outlined the
problem, what is THE SOLUTION?
First, since much of what we become is influenced by factors in our
environment, WE MUST AVOID TOXIC PEOPLE AND RELATIONSHIPS. Carefully
consider this: Although most of us despise rejection, isn’t it ironic that we
are somehow drawn to people who continually reject us? How can this be?
Because HUMAN BEINGS ARE TYPICALLY DRAWN TO THE FAMILIAR – even if those customary
people or things could be dangerous and disastrous for us. Think about
it.
At this stage in
life, I have embraced a firm policy of ZERO
TOLERANCE FOR CHRONIC NEGATIVITY, which means I refuse to maintain
involvement with those who do not speak positively into my life and into the
lives of others. This is no easy task since it may require distance or
disconnection from persons to whom I am naturally or emotionally inclined to
walk closely.
Here’s why this is
vitally important: WE TEND TO BECOME WHATEVER WE CONSTANTLY MEDITATE UPON OR
ASSOCIATE WITH. Therefore, our sense-gates MUST be guarded!
Association does bring about assimilation. Solomon’s wise counsel is
affirmation: “Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues
of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) The alternative to guarding your heart, i.e. not
constantly hearing, speaking, tasting, touching, or seeing anything that
detracts from the image of God-in-you, is becoming a distorted and degraded
version of your destined and truest self. This powerful principle should
have a direct impact on your daily intake. Garbage in…garbage out!
WORD in…WORD out! To facilitate your long-term health and
wholeness, here one powerful scripture to live by:
“This Book of the Law [God’s Word] shall not depart from your mouth; but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
Bottom-line: When
you make the decision to diligently guard your heart, you will restructure your
relationships. Are you ready?
No comments:
Post a Comment