What’s Your Concern

Jn.12:^42-43 “…many believed in Jesus.  But they would not admit it for fear of the Pharisees… They were more concerned to have the approval of men than the approval of God” [Ph, with emphasis]

Today we will continue with the damaging effects of the fear of rejection. Another damaging effect is the fear of rejection makes us bow to peer pressure. So to avoid peer pressure we imitate other people. When I started pastoring, every pastor I knew wore a tie. I do not have a problem with wearing ties but sometimes I just did not feel like wearing a tie. A lot of people find themselves acting, talking, or dressing in certain ways just to be accepted by others.

The fear of rejection also keeps us from speaking the truth. You witness something wrong but the fear of rejection keeps you from speaking the truth.

The fear of rejection also prevents us from giving and receiving love. Most times because of past hurt, or disappointment, or scars people do not want to let their hearts love again. So they build walls instead of building bridges because of the fear of another heartbreak. Another damaging effect of the fear of rejection is it causes shyness and loneliness. People have successfully built walls around themselves for self-preservation but in the process they block everybody out even the people that genuinely love them.

The fear of rejection hinders us from sharing our faith in Christ. Years ago, I had to take a bus to school and I felt God prompting me to share Jesus. I really wanted to talk about Jesus but I was afraid of rejection. I opened my mouth but literarily nothing came out. On the way back home from school, the route was longer so I attempted sharing my faith again and nothing came out of my mouth. I will count one to ten and try to speak but nothing would come out. Fear attempted to cripple me. Before I knew it I had gotten to my destination and had not been successful at sharing Jesus. I got on another bus and the same thing happened again. I see someone that might laugh at me and that just shuts me up. But finally on my second trip back home, honestly I do not know what I said but I said something about Jesus and people actually gave their lives to Jesus and I was totally shocked.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, let my trust in You and my passion for You empower me to overcome every fear of rejection or approval addiction, in Jesus Name. Amen!