We will look at ways to help us realize that everyone needs love and acceptance. Everyone has experienced some form of rejection. We must realize that God, through His word, is the cure to all forms of rejection.
I. Evidence of Rejection in Your Life
1. A distrust of God and His plan in our life. Psalm 139:14
2. Wishful comparison to others. 2 Corinthians 12:12-18
3. Self-contempt and self-criticism in excess. Ephesians 5:29
4. Attitudes of self-superiority. 1 Corinthians 4:6-7
5. Attempts at total perfection. Philippians 3:12-14
6. Excessive shyness or inferiority. Philippians 4:13
7. Unnatural attempts to hide unchangeable defects in physical or mental areas. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
8. Extravagance in dress or manner. Matthew 6:27-28
9. Difficulty in loving and trusting others. Matthew 19:19
10. Wrong priorities and goals in life. Matthew 6:33
II. Causes of Rejection in Your Life
1. Forms of overt rejection.
a. Direct statements of refection by others.
b. A refusal by others to show open affection.
c. Actual physical abuse.
d. Desertion by a parent or mate.
e. Divorce by parents or in your own marriage.
f. Peer rejection because of physical or mental problems.
2. Forms of covert rejection.
a. Unusually harsh or strict discipline.
b. Unusually lax or erratic discipline.
c. The death of a parent or spouse.
d. Over protection by parent or spouse.
e. Given love based on favorable conditions.
f. Self-rejection because of misunderstanding God’s purpose in your life.
III. The Root Problems in Self-Rejection
1. Bitterness
a. Hebrews 12:15
b. Ephesians 4:31
2. Materialism
a. Matthew 6:19-34
b. Proverbs 28:22
c. 1 Timothy 6:9-10
3. Moral Impurity
a. Romans 7:13
b. 2 Timothy 2:22
4. One Last thought.
IV. Some Positive Steps Toward Self-Acceptance
1. Detect any ungratefulness toward God.
a. List everything you would change.
b. Correct whatever you can.
c. List advantage for what you cannot change.
2. Thank God for the way He made you and glory in your unchangeable defects.
a. Make them marks of God’s ownership.
b. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
c. Make them your motivation to develop
