My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Of all the emotions that we feel, perhaps those feelings of loneliness, rejection, or just somehow not being “good” enough to really be loved are among the most devastating of all. Those feelings can leave us reeling with pain that tears at our heart, spirit and soul. Add to that the factor that we live as a broken vessel amidst a broken world, life can send our heart quickly spiraling downward in an instant. One unkind word, the rejection by a friend, divorce, failure, a loss job, and the list goes on as to those things that cut deep the wounds that were already present. For me, I cannot tell you when I first recognized this frailty within myself; because, it has been there since I can first remember. Perhaps my thorn in the flesh. It in some ways has always been the driving force that never let me be fully satisfied with today’s accomplishments. Being my lifelong companion, one would think I would always have it mastered. Instead, I have come to find it as God’s refining tool for me. Whenever those feelings make their attack upon my heart, I have learned to draw even tighter into God’s arms and lean upon His chest. I spend the day reflecting, growing, listening to an audio book and just waiting for God’s answer. Over the years, I have learned that God’s steadfast joy may be dampened in those moments into a smoldering ember; but, will quickly reignite into flames as I spend the day talking to Him. Friday, was such a day of feeling as though I would drown within my own feelings of inadequacy; but, Saturday. He renewed me through prayer and listening to “Uninvited” by Lysa TerKeurst. God reminded me of how truly loved I am by Him. He reminded me how blessed I am in Him. And He gave me this poem for you; whomever you are that needs to hear these words today. God loves you. God is always Good. God wants to hold you cradled in His Arms while He sings love songs over you. Whatever your frailty, He will be your strength in it. I know He is mine.
The Cry of Rejection
By Effie Darlene Barba
The sound of their words
What they had said
Repeatedly playing sad tunes in my head
The Scars from my past
The sorrows, regret
Like sirens whose blaring I could not forget
In darkness, alone
My heart’s cry does long
To desperately feel somewhere I belong
To know I am loved
To make my appeal
Rejection the thought that seemed all too real
It wasn’t their fault
How could they have known?
The scars I hid deep and never had shown
The secrets of heart
That longed to be found
That they might be healed by love to abound
The counterfeit lies
Were just a mistake
Like shattering glass my heart then to break
Oh, where is the truth
In a Dark, broken world
Where sorrows and pain are relentlessly hurled
The sin of man’s pride
Has taken its toll
Wreaking havoc on each and every dear soul
Yet, if truth then be told
Beneath all our will
Is a void that only God’s love can refill!
His Love reached beyond
The abyss we had crossed
He never considered it too great a cost
To accept the rejection
Of man toward His Son
Who in His despair our victory was won!
Unworthy though I
He loved me the same
And called me as His by my very name
To be loved as His child
He is all that I need
In Him to be known and truly be freed
Freed from desires
Of counterfeit things
From trinkets and toys or frivolous flings
Grounded, secured
In God’s loving arms
Freed from the lure of all this world’s charms
As He draws me near
To sit for a while
Enwrapped with His joy, I truly can smile
My worries all fade
As in Him I belong
My heart can now sing a joyous love song
[bctt tweet=”Don’t let your feelings of rejection become your identity. In Christ you are Beautifully Beloved.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Wrapped in Christ’s love todays pain becomes tomorrows greatest blessings[/tweetthis]
Picture used by permission: https://unsplash.com/@sebamolinafotos Inscription was added by me.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.