Facing Rejection with Courage
In his book The Prophet in the Wilderness, Ken Cox writes:
“Some prophets say, ‘Lord, You know how I hate rejection—how I go out of my way to avoid being or feeling rejected. Help me to grow out of it.’ As prophets, we need to pray for God to give us courage to face those who distrust, dislike, or resent us for whatever reason. There are those who look down on you, who think they have you figured out. Ask God to help you love them while refusing to compromise your integrity. Ask God to forgive you where you’ve been afraid.”
I was reading this book this morning, and when I came across this paragraph, it jumped off the page. While the book is specifically written for prophets, the truth of this message stretches beyond the prophetic call—it’s a word for all believers.
In today’s world, simply being a Christian can invite rejection and even persecution. The moment you choose to stand for truth or walk in obedience, you may find yourself facing misunderstanding, resistance, or outright hostility.
It reminded me of when the Apostle Paul shared about his suffering. He wasn’t boasting or complaining—he was encouraging. He wanted believers to know that they weren’t alone in their trials. There’s something strangely strengthening about that. When we know others are also enduring hardship, it gives us renewed resolve. We realize that we’re part of something much larger, and we gain the courage to keep pressing on.
Rejection hurts, but we don’t face it alone. We can ask God to strengthen us, to help us love those who oppose us, and to never shrink back in fear. Integrity matters. And so does compassion.
May we be people who walk boldly, love deeply, and never forget that we are not alone in this walk of faith.
