Keep sending your stories to brett [at] therebelution [dot] com. Share your experiences doing hard things, whether in big or tiny ways. We want to feature your voice on the blog and use your experiences to encourage others around the world.
Today we have an international submission from Jezreel, a 20-year-old rebelutionary in the Philippines. Besides facing repeated rejection throughout her job hunt, Jezreel also did the hard thing of writing an article for us in her second language! While some of the English is rough, Jezreel’s message is clear and her story is super-inspiring. Check it out and be encouraged.
Dealing With Rejection
Rejection is something that no one wants to experience but we can never escape this irony to happen to us. Right? Everyone already experienced rejection from different situations. Like you’ve asked a girl out for a date but she declined; invited unbelievers to join you for a church activity but they refused to come; shared good idea within your group/organization and rejected your suggestion. Seems like everything is not working according to what you want, isn’t it?
Your initial reaction to the rejection arose is to create a pity party within you. You crumble, you cry, you bury yourself 6 feet below the ground, you blame yourself and say unpleasant words that you truly don’t want to hear. That’s how rejection works. It makes us believe that we can’t do anything, we’re weak, we’re worthless, we’re nothing but trash and we should not continue living our lives.
While dealing with rejection, we start to doubt our abilities, our beliefs, and our faith in ourselves. We’re scared all the time to try new things beyond what we used to do because of the experienced we had in trying. All we want to do is to run away and stop trying. The enemy puts doubt, fear, pessimism and lack of confidence and sways us to be a loser forever.
I was rejected many times than I have expected in my life. I’ve experienced a full blown impact and a very light impact of rejection by my friends, family and even unknown people.
After finishing a degree last April 2012, I prayed and prepared for my career beforehand. I started applying for several companies to have a job. I prayed to God for His will and not mine to happen. I’m very inspired with Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know my plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I have sent numerous online applications and failed 4 scheduled interviews before applying to this particular insurance company that I really want. I was very confident that I can make it there and it is the will of the Lord. Unfortunately, I failed the exam again for the fifth time. I was hurt, I cried and asked God why did it happened. Because of that full blown rejection I experienced, I stopped praying to God. I was wrong because it is very unreasonable thing to do. But then, after repentance His arms were wide open waiting for me. I was a fool, I admit it.
Eventually, I moved on and continued my life, still devoting and believing to Him. Serving Him and ministering to others while applying again for a job and waiting for His will. Three failed interviews again but I’m not that hurt anymore. I knew that it is not God’s will. The bright side is, I was involved with quite a few evangelical activities. I participated to several evangelical camps and spoke to prayer meetings. I’ve collected 10 different messages that I wrote. God is working on our prayers when we least anticipate miracles to happen.
How many rejections I had? Nine rejections for less than a year. But it doesn’t end there. I keep on applying and yet, rejected again. The enemy is pushing us down so we will be defeated forever.
Now, I have a job after fifteen rejections and failures. I overcame hardships and tried my very best to pass. During my last interview and exam, I told God that I can’t make it and I’m going to give up. Good news is He never gave up on me. He gave me wisdom and strength to have my first job. I forgot those rejections I’ve been through and now, I’m moving on for the next chapter of my life.
According to 2 Chronicles 15:7, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded”. We tend to give up, lose hope and stop trying but always remember that God already worked for these things to happen to meet His provision at the right time and there’s a reward waiting for us to enjoy. He will never give up on us. Everything that seems impossible to us is possible to God.
Yes, we’re rejected but life must go on. We are confident that we can make it because of His promise in Isaiah 43:2, “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” No matter what hindrances you have.
The emotions that we feel during rejection are indeed temporary. If you don’t want to be a loser, move on and never give up. Just believe in Him and hold on tight.
+ Share Your Thoughts +
Jezreel,
The passage you shared from Isaiah made me think of my own life verse from that book.
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
Thank you for sharing your struggles and how the Lord is triumphing in your life!
Stay strong in Him ~ Moriah
Another very encouraging post! It’s inspiring to hear that you were able to persevere through all those times of rejection. Thanks, Jezreel!
I find it interesting that although rejection can hurt, God never tells us to flee from it. Instead, in John 15:19 He says, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” Because of our faith, we can expect that rejection will always come. It’s practically a promise! James 1:2-3 tells us “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
Instead of hating rejection and running away from it, we should accept it – and even embrace it – because it reminds us that we are truly followers of Jesus Christ. Rejection is certainly not a fun thing, but just remember that Christ faced more rejection than we could ever imagine, and He is always there to bring us through.
Wow. Funny that you (Jezreel) mentioned Isaiah 43:2. I had memorized that verse a couple months ago, and it is always popping up. Thank you, Jezreel, for your encouraging post. I am sure that it will encourage many!
“Good news is He never gave up on me.” She did an awesome job! I really needed these verses today!
Wow, Jezeeel! I am so proud of you for persevering after all those failures! Thanks for being open to the lessons God wanted to teach you so you could share them with us. 🙂 blessings in Christ!
Thank you for sharing, Jezreel! What you shared in the end, “Just believe in Him and hold on tight,” has been my motto the last while as I emigrated from one country to another. Keep on living for Him!
thank you so much for sharing this post. I’m waiting for my interview results which i gave recently and scared to get rejected but then your post has encouraged me.
Jezreel, this was so encouraging to me. I’ve been dealing with a lot of rejection related to colleges in the past few weeks. It’s caused a blow to my pride- I’ve done many hard things to prepare for auditions, and I thought I was good enough to make it into the programs I wanted to study, but I wasn’t. I know He still holds my future, and I’m waiting to see where He’ll lead. Thanks for your encouraging words!
Thank you for posting this blog; it was very inspiring. Just what I needed at this point, actually.
Thank you, Jezreel! This post was a great encouragement.
Thank God that through this experience, I was able to help you guys in the most simple way. God gave me the courage to share my experience. Just don’t give up and never let rejection stop you from believing in your self. Please spread this to your friends, it might help them. Thanks for reading =)
Jhez!!! (i would like to speak tagalog here)
You have encouraged me just now. I am depressed by what happened to my acads, yet, after reading this, i feel better. I feel like giving up on it, but, truly God speaks through people, like you.
I remember that night you cried about this certain company, and I am so happy to know (through this blog) how God is shaping you and blessing you with wisdom.
May God continue to bless you 🙂
we are praying for you sis ^^
Trufren! I am so proud on how God worked in you. He has written everything perfectly, who knows you can encourage a lot of people with your failures. Your a living proof that God works in His own mysterious ways. 🙂 Can’t wait for your second salary, so you can treat us (I know the first one’s for the Lord). =)
You’re in my prayers, always. I love you! :*
That is hard to deal with rejeaction it is not for anyone to deal with it I am trying to deal with it better then I was several mounths ago. I encoruage other kids teens and young adults with rejeaction.. We are to deal with it through our in faith in Chrsit..
That last bit is really interesting. Jezreel writes “Yes, we’re rejected but life must go on.” I know I tend to dramatize, whine, and make everything seem like it’s against me. Eventually, I believe it. So, consequesntly, I never try again. Which is one of the greatest tragedies that can happen to anyone.
Congratulations my sister, you made it 🙂 I’m so really inspired and motivated on how our amazing God truly works in your life. He made your failures to bless other people whom they’re suffering in the same situation of giving up and the like.
This post concretely affirmed that downfalls don’t matter, but life is all about how many times we rise up that counts!
So blessed that you do not opted to listened in your negative circumstances but in spite of it, you
still believe on what God says about you. You are deeply loved, favored and blessed! 🙂
Always be reminded by this: “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called. -1Tim 6:12”
Love you.
Your Kuya.
Thank you, Jezreel! Your story is really great! ‘never give up, there is a man who will always be with you, will always love you, and NEVER reject you’.
Thanx again!
>Berea
Wow this is truly inspiring… i know rejection better then most from school to religions to even family.. it is tough but youre right god will always be there even when we foolishly give up on him he will never give up on us.I love these kind of posts they encourage me more then you know! Thanks so much for sharing i love knowing im not alone. Stay strong girl you will be in my prayers!!
Nice! Ate Jezreel ang rejections parang ipis yan eh, ayaw nating malapitan But still ate! I think all great innovations are built on rejections. Nakakainspired naman itong blog na ito. In a different way I learned something about rejections.
Fear rejections? Remember You’re acceptable to GOD! 🙂 Amen.
Keep calm! 🙂