Isn't it supposed to? We are fundamentally relational creatures fashioned in the image of a God who has perfect fellowship within His three beings. He has created us with the purpose of living in harmonious relationships with Him and with each other. So when the desire of our hearts is to be loved, known, and accepted and this is interrupted by rejection... it is meant to hurt. This pain draws our attention to our need to be accepted into a community.
It is ok to have the feeling of rejection. There is nothing wrong with the desire to be united with another human being. However, as Christians, we have to be careful identifying too much as a reject.
"And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." -- Ephesians 2:17-21
You see, we were indeed rejects at one point, but we have been brought near to be part of a family and kingdom that is growing together for the glory of God. Although we may have real feelings of rejection in our life, we are not the rejected ones.
Despite the failings of human relationships, we are perfectly united to Christ through His death and resurrection.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-- by grace you have been saved-- and raised up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." -- Ephesians 2:4-6
We are as accepted as we ever need to be.
This doesn't mean we need to ignore the feeling of human rejection. In my opinion, it is healthy to feel this pain. However, let it lead you directly to Christ, thanking Him that you are ok because your identity is rooted in Him. Also, stay filled with grace. Remember that you are not only united to Christ, but through Him you are also in the community of believers."There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ." -- Galatians 3:28
When someone makes you feel rejected, it is easy to become bitter toward them. Don't. Since our identity as someone accepted is firm in Christ, we can be brave to forgive, to love, and to accept others knowing full well they may break our hearts.
So don't numb yourself to the pain of rejection-- we are relational. But don't wallow in rejection either. Know you have been accepted and that is your only identity from this day forward. Who calls rejected what God has called accepted?.... Son and Daughter?... Beloved?
(This post was inspired by what I have been learning in the True Discipleship Journal by Susan Hunt. Also, my church's sermon series through Ephesians... Can you tell ;))
