Rejection is Protection

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Psalm 23: 3-4

Have you ever wondered why God did not reward you with something? Something that you really thought was for you? Something you prayed about for days or weeks or months? You probably thought that you weren’t good enough, equipped enough, or smart enough. Girl, I’ve been there too! It sucks. BUT rejection is protection. When you get a no from someone or something, that is God telling you that he has something better waiting for you.

My experience started when I was looking for an internship to gain experience in my field. I applied to an organization over the Summer and I received the automated email that we have probably all received saying "They have decided to continue with other candidates, etc. etc." I wasn’t too messed up about it and I just kept looking. So then, during the Fall semester, I applied to a desk job at a Counseling Center (I honestly settled), but I rushed into applying, contacted them, made a cover letter, all that! (For what? I do not know. I was just doing stuff). But I did all that only to be told that the position had been filled. So now, I’m like “okay, I still got this! Whatever".

So, remember the organization I said I applied to over the Summer? I applied again just taking a leap of faith. And guess what?! They wanted to interview. That went good, or it seemed so. So I’m like “Bet, this is the one!” I’m excited! I’m telling everyone the good news. I'm just really happy that I got a possible internship. I don’t have nothing to worry about. But, Girl! Why didn’t I get the job??? So now, I’m mad and if you know me, things have to go my way! But anyways, I’m upset. I’m ashamed. I’m frustrated. I’m confused. I’m even mad at God at this point. I’m like “umm… I thought this was the one, what happened?” I really didn’t know what to do at this point. You know how people say “Well this is not the end of the world”, right? Well, it felt like the end of the world to me. I said “Well, something is just gonna have to come my way.” (Which is certainly not how life works!).

So I sit in those feelings for about two weeks. I did not look into anymore internships for about a month. After a while, I snap back into reality and tell myself it’s time to continue the search. I talk to one of the psychology internship coordinators at my school and she gives me the name of another organization. I’m open to the idea of it. Not sure really sure what’s gonna come out of it, I take another leap of faith. I sent in my application, got accepted, and got my schedule created within about two weeks.

I finally saw what God had me anticipating. I finally knew why I did not get the job I thought I wanted and I was ecstatic. I just had to be patient.

I’m saying all this to say, first, “Thank you, God!” Second, even if you think it’s for you, God has the final say-so. You just gotta keep finding what aligns with His will for you. No matter what is rejecting you (a job, a crush, a business venture), it does not matter. Find fulfilment in God. Find comfort in God.

Never take your rejection as a sign you are not enough. God just has something 10x better for you. You won’t always know why God didn’t put you in that position. I just know that he put me at an organization that he wanted me in. Will I be happier here or get better experience here? Possibly, but I don’t know for sure. And that's okay to not always know why something did not work out at first. I just know I am grateful. I am happy to be where I am now. I loved my internship and I loved what I did. I even got hired there this past April. WON'T HE DO IT?! Don’t question him, but just praise him for that protection.

This experience has helped me find peace as I step into other paths that I am walking in right now. I step into situations with the mindest of if I get told no or if I see something isn't right, I can trust that God has something better waiting for me.

What is for you has already been made for you and is waiting for you to come grab it. I hope this helped you find comfort in things you may have been rejected from. You will end up in a position where God wants you. It will be better than anything you might have imagined. So, good luck on that journey, sis!