Have you asked God for something with the caveat that His will be done?
This weekend, I received an email from my agent that a project we'd submitted to a publishing company was ultimately rejected.
This happens quite frequently in the writing world. It's not the first time and it won't be the last for me, or any writer seeking the traditional route. But I really thought God had been leading me up to this project as my break-in point.
I'd prayed for God to remove any stumbling blocks and to open the doors where He wanted my work to be. I prayed that He would shut the doors that He knew wouldn't be right for me. But I realized what I really meant was as long as that's right now, at this house.
When I ask God to direct my path, I have to accept the closed doors as His will, too. Tweet this
With this newly closed door, I know He'll open another one. The right one, at the right time.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (NIV) Ecclesiastes 3:11
I can't fathom why this door was closed. He may reveal it later, or He may not. But I do know, it was for my good.
Here's what I've learned in order to handle rejections. Your rejection might not be exactly like mine, but we all feel its sting throughout life.
1. Allow yourself to feel disappointed. Too often, I want to put up a brave face, and not deal with the fact that it hurts.
2. Don't dwell on the hurt. After acknowledging I'm hurt, it's time to move on. Lingering in the pain doesn't fix anything, it only makes it worse.
3. Look for the positive. A wise friend said, but you made it to pub board! She was so right.
4. Talk with a Godly friend. There is nothing like Godly counsel to help ease the hurt. A wise friend is worth more than gold.
5. Pray and trust the Lord. It's easier to trust God when things are going like we want. But we learn more and rely on Him when things develop beyond our control. Rest in Him.
6. You're not defined by one thing. I spent some time working out, planted new vegetable starts, and baked two loves of bread. Being an author is just one faucet of my life, not my entire identity.
Our lives aren't the product of one moment or one opportunity. Tweet this
I don't know what rejections or disappointments you'll face, but I do know that you'll experience these at some time. And Jesus will be there. He will never reject us and His will is where we want to be, not in our own.
What has brought you great disappointment? How did you get beyond it?
I just love your heart, Melissa. You live your life in a way that is so worshipful to our God, every step of the way, and I’m so thankful for you. Hugs, my friend!
I very rarely post comments so I hope that this would be a word of encouragement. On a smaller scale, I was writing an article regarding the “Fear of the Lord”, not trying for publishing, but waiting on the LSH (long suffering hubby) to approve it to send to our Bible Study group. Like I said, very small scale. However, he kept telling me that it didn’t seem complete. I got my feelings hurt thinking that I had written a great article. Fast forward about 6 months… I had a friend who was 91 in the nursing home who passed away, but something extraordinary happened when he passed from this life into the next. Then my son had an auto accident but I truly believe because I prayed that the Lord would bring him home safe, he was not hurt. It was after those two experiences then I went back to the article. I re-wrote it and then it was complete. Sometimes we need to be lead through some of life’s experiences before the time is right.
Sandy,
Thank you for sharing. I completely agree, sometimes God knows He has more to teach us before we can teach others. I’m glad your son was safe.
Great post, and good tips. I know I’ve done things that I was sure was where God was taking me (jobs, etc.), and was crushed when it didn’t happen, and swore I had no idea what he wanted me to do, since I’m wrong so much of the time, then next thing I know, and at times it has been YEARS, it all falls into place so perfectly, that it finally all makes sense, and I’m so thankful he didn’t give me what I wanted, when I wanted.
Anyway, you have a great site, and I’m sure He has great things planned for you.
He broke up with me. I am having a hard and painful time accepting that it’s over. Please pray for me.
My great disappointment was a broken engagement in January of this year. Although I don’t allow myself to constantly wallow in the pain, I do still cry every single day. I’m trying to learn God’s patience and perfect timing, but it does get overwhelming at times. Pray for strength and healing. Kim
Dear Jesus,
We pray that you would bring healing to Kim’s heart. We don’t always know why you close a door, but we trust in you and ask for your leadership. Help Kim through this and may she see the plan you have for her life. Lift her up, In Jesus name, Amen.
Amazing! God uses us in so many way; I woke up to this, the very first thing I looked at and oh my God was speaking to me through your message. Thank you for letting God use you!
Amelia, I’m so glad this spoke to your heart. God blesses us in so many ways when we serve Him. 🙂 I hope you feel them today.
Great post, Melissa, though I’m so sorry you were rejected. Still, pub board is NOTHING to be scoffed at! I think godly friends are so key to keeping things in perspective. And godly spouses help ease the sting a bit, too. You’re right, with traditional pubbing getting tighter and tighter, there are bound to be rejections AND great writers with unique ideas are bound to be overlooked. At every stage in this writing game, we have to weigh what we’re doing and if we’re heading the way God wants us to. And sometimes, that way might not make much sense!
Thanks, Heather. Isn’t it funny that usually when it’s God’s way, it doesn’t make sense? At least logically. But when we know what He’s called us to do, it makes it easier. I don’t know how anyone does this without having God to rely on. 🙂