Where Does Rejection Leave You?

Are you holding onto an ideal, while not even noticing the door God has left wide open for you?

Maybe it was the ideal

relationship,

friendship,

ministry position,

home,

or job.

Maybe it was the word “no” from one person that, to you, shut all doors of possibility.

The “no” shut the door to your ideal.

But was your ideal really the best opportunity?

I recently heard a great big “no” and it left me with an equally big place of rejection in my heart.

Imagine a stop sign.

That no?

The enemy rejoiced when, with it, I could clearly envision the stop sign.

I wanted to drop my pursuit and leave the game. I even began to mourn the dream. It was the last “no” and I couldn’t see past it to catch a glimpse of something else God may have had for me.

And here’s the ironic thing. I’m the kind of person that would sit next to you in conviction knowing that one door is shut only because God has a better door to open.

But even though I know that truth to very core of my soul, when the rejection is fresh, the truth is hidden.

The enemy wants it hidden and our design as emotionally wired human beings, makes rejection sting. We have all heard of the fight or flight response. In the face of rejection, I, personally, take flight. Last week, I was ready to turn off my computer and not write today’s post. How about you? Do you take flight when the rejection stings?

But I don’t believe that is what God calls us to do. As a matter of fact, I KNOW that He doesn’t call us to flight, nor to fight. He calls us simply to listen to Him in the midst of the hurt.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

He may show us the “no” was actually just a

Wrong Way

Only telling us there is another way.

One that we may not have ever imagined for ourselves.

God is choosing to speak to us, but we must listen to Him rather than ourselves. Share on X We cannot choose to speak for God rather than allowing God to speak for himself. Share on X

The rejection hurt and I was ready to stop pursuing my dream rather than stopping to listen to Him. My ideal rested in one specific opportunity. When my ideal crumbled, I dropped my eyes, looked down, and almost missed the detour.

I can’t tell you I know what is at the end of the detour, but I will never know unless I follow it. And for me, following a detour is much better than heading nowhere.

Friends, I know your heart may be broken right now. You may have received a great big ugly “no” recently. But can I tell you that God isn’t only saying no? He may be quietly trying to whisper something else.

Listen well.

Believe fiercely.

And hope with all your might.

God is doing big things in your life. Things you wouldn’t even believe. You have a dream and you’ve created an ideal. His “no” to the ideal is merely a step toward the dream He had planned for you all along.

The LORD replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. Habakkuk 1:5

Embrace the detour and discover the opportunities along the way. And, please, whatever you do, don’t see the “no’s” in life as a stop sign to your dream.

Allow God to pave a new road through His detours.

Allow God to pave a new road through His detours. Share on X

Stop by again on Thursday! I’m honored to be guest posting on Susan Mead’s blog! I will be contacting the winner of her autographed book, Dance with Jesus From Grief to Grace, today! I’m so excited for one of you to be blessed by her words of hope!

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33 Comments

Aimee Imbeau says:

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I love this post, Lori! OK, is there a post of yours that I don’t love? This is so good. I’m sharing on Pinterest, too.

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Thank you, Aimee! You are the best! I needed to hear that today! 🙂
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
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Mary Dolan Flaherty says:

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I love signs, and have often written about the spiritual parallels. I too, recently experienced rejection, and having a theatre background, have had more than my share of “nos.” It’s especially painful when you think you nailed it, and guess what? Sorry, we decided to go a different route. Which means we go a different route—that detour. It can seem like we’re so far out of the way, but when we get to the end, we look around and say, “Oh, I know where I am! I didn’t know there way another way to get here. Huh, how about that!” I’m sorry you had to experience that rejection, but as we both know, it’s all part of the process. Thanks for your honest writing.

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Hi Mary,
  Thank you for visiting! I love your perspective as a performer. The rejection stinks, but I’m thankful for the detours I’ve traveled in life. I’ve gotten to see so much more of the countryside that way 😉
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
  Reply
Kamea Hope says:

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This – “But even though I know that truth to very core of my soul, when the rejection is fresh, the truth is hidden.” How true! Things I know to be true, are so difficult to believe when I am in the midst of a trial. We need to stand firm! Thank you for this today. I have just received a big no this past week, and you have given me a new perspective. Looking forward to what God has in store.
Blessings,
Kamea
incrementalhealing.com

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Kamea, I’m so sorry for the no yo received, but I am praying and, most definitely, believing God has the BEST detour ahead for you! I’m so glad you stopped by today! I love your visits 🙂
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
  Reply
Jenny Shinsky says:

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This is so good. I have had several stop signs this week. Your words are encouraging.

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Hi Jenny,
  I am so sorry you have had those stop signs this week. I know they can take the wind out of us. I am thankful that my words could bring just a little encouragment and I am going to be praying God is revealing His master plan through the detours laid before you! Thank you so much for visiting and sharing a little corner of your world with me!
  Many blessings,
  Lori
  
  Reply
Nat Jones says:

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The is beautifully written! I know how you feel hearing no but not being able to take the advice you know you’d give to others! When I feel rejected I just withdraw into myself

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Hi Nat,
  Thank you so much for your kind words! I so identify with that withdrawing into yourself! When I hurt, it is my gut reaction, but one I work toward changing everyday!! I’ll be praying you along as I walk that same journey with you!!
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
  Reply
dearmummyblog says:

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What a great post we’ve just stumbled on from #ShareWithMe. You got to keep believing that what’s meant for you won’t pass you by…. x

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Thank you so much for visiting! Amen! I am believing!!
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
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Helena says:

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Your blog post has sure got me thinking. Thanks for sharing it.

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Hi Helena,
  Thank you for stopping by Searching for Moments! I will pray that the thinking brings good things:-)
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
  Reply
Dr. Michelle Bengtson says:

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Thanks for sharing your encouraging words. God is doing big things!
Visiting from #JoyHopeLive

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Hi Michelle,
  Thank you so much for stopping by for #JoyHopeLive! I always enjoy your visits!! Amen! He is an awesome God!!! 🙂
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
  Reply
Heaven says:

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Oh, yes! My husband and I recently had a door slammed in our faces. And it hurt so much. It has taken a while, but we are seeing the blessings from our detour. We don’t know the reasons, but they don’t really matter in the short-run when it’s something as big as a move across the country. Things that affect the family in a big way like this sometimes take a long time in coming full circle. Maybe we’ll never know. I’m grateful, though, for the new opportunities our “stop sign” is bringing us. Thank you so much for your kind comment on my blog. I’m glad I could find you through it!

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Lori says:

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Oh, Lori! I know exactly how a no feels. It hurts! But, the Lord is in control and I had rather Him be in control than me making a mess of my life. Thank you! Thank you for linking up with Thankful Thursdays.

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Ifeoma Samuel says:

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Spiritual road signs are good but sometimes difficult. God does sure give us detours for our own good. I am grateful for your visit and encouraging words Lori.
Hugs and Blessings to oyu

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jacquelynnek says:

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Hi was a great post! I found it through the Missional Women linkup and I am so thankful that I did!

Thankful for you and your great words!

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Hi Jacquelynn, Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words! I am so thankful you were blessed!
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
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Nannette and The Sweetheart says:

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First time visitor and your neighbor at Fellowship Friday! Great words here, and one of my favorite scriptures is that from Habakkuk. Detours can be a blessing. ♥

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Welcome, Nannette! Thank you so much for visiting! I pray you feel encouraged and loved as you spend some time here!
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
  Reply
Misty says:

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Really beautiful post.. in the midst of your detour your doing a marvelous thing by encouraging others and I encourage you to never stop pursuing your dream. I believe He gave us each something so special and the world around us needs it. I’d like to think the enemy is shaking in his boots because you are taking a detour 🙂 Be blessed always!

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Hi Misty! Thank you for that image! It somehow really strips the enemy of his power when I get a funny vision of his spindly little legs shaking in a pair of boots! lol! 🙂 Thank you also for the encouragement to continue my dream! Your words spoke to my heart.
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
  Reply
Mary Gilbert (My Life In Progress) says:

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Thanks so much for sharing with us at #JoyHopeLive!

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Hi Mary, Thank you so much for hosting #JoyHopeLive!
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
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womenwithintention says:

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I really enjoyed this post! It was encouraging and thought provoking. Thanks for linking at Women With Intention Wednesdays!

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Thank you so much for stopping by to visit and for your kind words! I loved finding Women with Intention! Thank you so much for hosting!
  Blesssings and smiles,
  Lori
  
  Reply
Jenny @ Let's Talk Mommy says:

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So inspiring and a great way to look at things. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. I hope to see you again soon. #sharewithme

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1. Lori says:
  
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  Hi Jenny,
  I so love your visits and admire your commitment to visit each person who links up with you each week! You are a treasure! I pray you feel loved and encouraged by the words you find here each week!
  Blessings and smiles,
  Lori
  
  Reply
  1. Jenny @ Let's Talk Mommy says:
    
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    Thank you Lori. I always support those that support me. It’s a pleasure having you link up each week. Thank you for the support.
    
    Reply
Summer says:

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This is so, so good! I was so blessed by your words and your passion. Thanks for posting a comment on my blog, it led me back here to be blessed! 🙂

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