I don’t think there’s one of us who hasn’t experienced rejection of some sort. But there is a kind of rejection that comes from people you least expect it from, and because you thought they would be loving, their rejection hurts even more.
This can be from parents, friends, or people in the church; basically, those who are supposed to love you and be for you.
I was shamed for decisions I made as a young adult. And even though I’d asked forgiveness and turned my life around, there were certain people who just would not forget it, and every time I saw them it was thrown in my face. A constant reminder of bad decisions I’d made, yet they could not acknowledge any accomplishment, even refusing to come to my graduation from Bible College.
I lived with the affects of this for a long time. Guilt and shame riddled my life, stealing my joy and making me even question myself.
But as I sat with the Lord and followed His leading to different people and ministries, I saw that what I was dealing with was shame, but also rejection.
And this is when someone said to me, “You are accepted in the beloved.”
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 1:6 KJV
What does Accepted in the Beloved mean?
Strong’s Greek Lexicon defines accepted as “to indue with special honor, make accepted, and highly favored.”
Think about that for a moment.
In the beloved, which means in Christ; through His sacrifice for our sins and resurrection from the dead, we can come to the Father and be accepted in the Beloved.
This does not mean God is just putting up with us!
This means He pours out His love on us, He accepts us with special honor and in His sight, we are highly favored!
Different translations
The New King James version of the Bible says, accepted in the Beloved.
But the New International Version is translated as:
So, we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
NIV
Accepted in the beloved can also be translated as God the Father pouring out his grace on us. Picture that for a moment.
Strong’s definition of Grace is “good will, loving kindness and favor.”
Look at the next part of the NIV… Who BELONG.
Rejection says you don’t belong. It says we don’t want you.
Christ says, you belong to me. I want you so much that I chose you before the foundation of the world and I pour out my grace and favor upon you because you are mine.
Another Verse
Another verse that goes with this same subject is 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
NIV
Have you been dealing with rejection my friend?
As you marinate in the truth of what God says about you and ask for His healing in your heart and life, He will do a work in you and bring you to a place of restoration.
How do I know? He’s done it for me, and I’ve seen Him do it for many others.
The Truth About You
You are not alone.
You are wanted.
You Belong.
You are cherished by the Lord.
You are loved by God the Father.
PRINTABLE
I have provided a printable of some truths to speak out and declare daily. You can get it HERE.
I pray for you, dear friend, that the Lord would take you on journey of healing and you would experience His restoration and work in your life.
In His love, Carolyn
Prayer
Father God, thank you that I am accepted in the Beloved, that your grace and favor are poured out upon me. Thank You that I belong to You, that I am Your child and that You love me.
Heavenly Father, help me to experience who You truly are. Help me to know Your love for me; to know that I belong.
Lord, you’ve seen my tears. I pray that you’d wipe every one of those tears away and bring healing to my heart where the lies of rejection have taken hold. Help me to know who I am in Christ, that I am wanted, I am chosen, I am loved and treasured by my Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
