Rejection is For Your Protection

By Dr. Okechukwu Nwaneri

I was watching an Instagram video, and they guy that was in the video was talking about the power of prayer and how sometimes God answers prayers and sometimes he doesn't. How many of us have been on either side of the coin? It feels great when God blesses you with your heart's desire, but when he rejects your prayer; it stings doesn't it?

We could explore the side of the coin where God answers our prayers, but for this post; let's park it in the REJECTION SECTION. You may have been that executive that has been working for the company for over 15 years and you knew that you were next in line for that director position. You prayed for it, and you began to prepare your mind for the transition. But when they made the big announcement, your name wasn't called. OUCH!!!!

Or maybe you have been training on your sports team for some time and you had your sights on stepping up to become the captain of the team. You committed this to prayer and walked by faith combined with diligence and determination and they ended up choosing someone who hasn't worked as hard as you have.

Lastly, you have been trying to have children for so many years and you have been praying to God for the fruit of the womb. It has been a desire of yours for years and God sees your tears and petitions and YET, he blesses one of your closest friends that hasn't even been trying for long. OUCH!!!!

When you look at these 3 scenarios, you may see yourself in at least one of them and have asked yourself, "God why is it not happening for me now?" Why am I not being blessed like everyone else? I have been praying hard and believing, but I'm still in the same place!!!! Well, I'm here to remind you that God is not asleep and the reason that he hasn't given you what you asked for is because what he has is much greater and will require more time to develop (both on your maturity and your current season). I am a witness when I tell you that when my wife and I were trying for 10 years to have a child, we were asking the same questions to God. We knew that he didn't abandon us, but we were waiting for OUR turn. The great thing was that as long as we focused on God and trusted his time; it was going to happen just as it was planned.

God's rejection is simply for our protection. He is preparing our blessings to be released at a time when he has everything in place just like a surprise party. You don't want for the surprise to be revealed prematurely, but just as it was designed to.

Just TRUST (Totally Reliant Upon Savior’s Timing) and believe that it will not be over until God makes it good.

Prayer for Waiting on God's Timing

Heavenly Father,

We come before You humbly, seeking Your guidance and wisdom in learning to trust Your perfect timing. In a world where comparison and envy often cloud our vision, help us to fix our gaze solely upon You. Teach us to surrender our desires and ambitions into Your hands, knowing that Your plans for us are far greater than we could ever imagine.

Grant us the strength to let go of the temptation to measure our blessings against those of others. Instead, instill in us a deep-rooted faith that Your blessings flow abundantly and uniquely for each of Your children. Help us to rejoice in the successes and blessings of others, knowing that You have a unique path carved out for each of us.

Lord, we ask for the patience to wait upon You, understanding that Your timing is perfect. Help us to embrace the seasons of waiting as opportunities for growth and refinement. May we find solace in Your promises, knowing that You are always faithful to fulfill them in Your appointed time.

As we journey through life, let us cling to Your word for encouragement. In Isaiah 40:31, You promise that those who wait upon You shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. May this scripture serve as a beacon of hope and assurance, reminding us of Your faithfulness and provision.

Guide us, O Lord, to trust in Your timing wholeheartedly, knowing that You hold our past, present, and future in Your loving hands. May our hearts be steadfast in faith, anchored in Your promises, and surrendered to Your will.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.