I want to speak into the hearts and lives today of my brothers and sisters who have experienced deep pain and rejection. You know who you are. Now, if you’ve never experienced this, don’t be dismayed! It’s available for everyone (tongue in cheek.) I believe there are different forms of rejections we face. If you are a musician or writer, you face rejection from record labels, agents, or publishing houses. If you are an entrepreneur, maybe you face rejection from investors or clients. If we’re honest with each other in this context, this form of rejection is expected. After all, if everyone who wanted to be a big movie star made it to become a big movie star, the demand and value for talent would be non-existent. Supply and demand, but also, remember Matthew 7:13.
It is to be expected that we will face rejection when we make ourselves vulnerable and pursue something great. We prepare our minds and hearts. But, seldom is rejection expected in your home, from those closest to you, those you love, those you care about, or even in your own hometown. This is what I refer to as the Nazarite Syndrome. You know, as in “Jesus of Nazareth.” The power of rejection can be the fuel to drive you to your destiny, or it can be the kryptonite on your journey, the one thing that keeps you from growing and going. Rejection can be the seed to bitterness and lead to a stale life, heart, and spirit. Rejection can be the one thing that buries you and prevents you from fulfilling the purpose God created you for. Today, I am going to cut those chains off of you using the Word of the living God. Why? Because it nearly destroyed me. Not the “professional” rejection, the type we expect, I am talking about the “Nazarite Syndrome.” The symptoms of the Nazarite Syndrome were showing up in my life but I was too blind to see them. When you feel discouraged by the rejection nearest to you, remember Mark 6:5. It doesn’t say Jesus “wouldn’t” do miracles there (Nazaruth), it says He “couldn’t” do miracles there. Rejection and unbelief go hand in hand.
As I was editing this, I had a line written that I had to delete. The line was this; “To clarify this, none of us will ever walk in the way Jesus did, in the power He had to overcome that, it wasn’t as hard for Him as it is for us.”
You see why it was edited now. Why? Because He has given us everything we need to succeed, to overcome darkness, to overcome evil and sin, and to move right on past rejection. He has equipped us to do the work, not be weak. He has equipped us to overcome rejection, fear, and pain to walk into the power of victory and life.
More on this in the coming days and weeks…I will be sharing with you the methods of identifying the symptoms of the Nazarite Syndrome, how to treat the Nazarite Syndrome, and how this terrible disease can destroy your life and the purpose God has created you to fulfill.
They rejected Him, they will reject you, keep moving forward.
