Rejection Can Prepare You For Perfection

I heard on the radio this week a statement made by Bishop T. D. Jakes – “Rejection can prepare you for perfection”. It got me to thinking about the times in my life when I felt rejected – turned down for jobs or other opportunities, clients rejecting my offer to do business with them, and, need I go there – BOYFRIENDS.

There are many examples in the Bible where individuals were rejected, cast out or taken for granted. We all know the greatest example is in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But two that I often think about is Leah (Genesis 29:31) and Joseph (Genesis 37:3-5).

Leah was Jacob’s FIRST wife – not the one he wanted to marry, but the one he got “stuck” with after being tricked. The scripture says that “Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance” (Genesis 29:17). Jacob didn’t love Leah as much as he loved Rachel. But the Lord blessed Leah – “When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren”. As a matter of fact, the Lord blessed Leah with the first four of the 12 sons of Isreal – Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah. Leah, later gave birth two more sons, Issachar and Zebulun. Therefore, from Leah's own womb, she birthed six of the 12 sons of Isreal [Rachel’s maid, Zilpah, bore Gad and Asher].

With all of the rejection Leah received from her husband – not wanting to marry her to begin with, treating Rachel better, not feeling loved – Leah was blessed. In fact, she has received one of the biggest blessings of all time – her lineage, through her son Judah, gave birth to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – Matthew 1:2.

Joseph, who was Rachel’s son, also experienced rejection. Because his father loved him more than all his other sons (Genesis 37:3), his brothers turned on him and sold him into slavery. Joseph was lied on (Genesis 39:19), and thrown into prison. But the Lord looked out for Joseph and he was a favorite among the prison guards (Genesis 37:21).

Joseph wound up saving his family from famine, and became a blessing to all of Egypt.

Through all of Leah’s and Joseph’s rejection and strife, they remained true and faithful to God. And the Lord blessed them. Their rejection prepared them to become a blessing to those who rejected them and a blessing to the entire human race.

I remember being turned down for several advancement opportunities in my career – advancements that I was not prepared for at the time. I also remember feeling rejected by a spiritual leader. But through this rejection, I’ve grown spiritually and have the opportunity through this medium and other teaching mediums to serve and be a blessing to others. More of a blessing had I remained in a former capacity.

You will be rejected or cast down. There will be struggles and disappointments and times when you will feel all alone and let down. Sometimes, you won’t understand. But we have to remain faithful and God will “turn it around for your good”. Rejection prepares us for a larger blessing in the future.

And as for those BOYFRIENDS, thank God for the rejection. As a result, I’m blessed with a wonderful husband and a beautiful family. Had I tried to hang on to what I know now as the Lord’s rejection for me, I would have missed out on my intended.

Love you all,

Liberty Hill’s PR