Finding Peace When You Feel Rejected by a Loved One

One of the hardest issues when we enter into a relationship with God is the rejection we’ll be surprised by. Especially sometimes from people we feel closest to.

Photo Credit: Edd Sowden

I’ve seen it and experienced it several times. Of course it might be my personality that’s less than stellar on occasion also.

Yet, often it comes from ones we think will rejoice in the change that’s taken place.

But think about a wife who suddenly changes and her husband feels excluded.

Or a son and his parents feel somehow like they weren’t good enough.

Or a friend who now doesn’t enjoy some of the previous partying so she feels excluded.

What’s frustrating is when we’re trapped in that position we can’t go back because, well, we’ve changed. And we feel hurt going forward.

Now I’ll be the first to say some Christians can be really obnoxious. I’ve met more than a couple. And I don’t like hanging out with them either.

But I’m talking here about those who’ve been positively transformed yet find themselves feeling rejected.

I appreciate that Jesus never sugar coated this life. He doesn’t come off as a snake oil salesman. He gives us answers to life’s toughest challenges but never promises we won’t face them.

He said, “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. . . . Your enemies will be right in your own household!” *

Pretty much summarizes what I’ve seen and experienced.

So why would anyone sign up?

I guess because when we’ve come face to face with our need for God that becomes all important. Often it comes in a crisis. But also as a growing realization that I need him in order to find true peace and wholeness.

Also, Jesus in other places promises that though we’ll have turmoil in some relationships he’ll be with us. He may not bring peaceful living always but he’ll bring inner peace continually.

In addition realizing that a relationship with another human being, no matter how close, can never fulfill us as a relationship with God does. It’s not designed to.

And in the midst of those strains I’ve found I feel closer to God because sometimes that’s all I had left.

We’ll have times we feel rejected by loved ones but we can still find peace.

When have you seen this?

Please let me know on Facebook, Twitter or email me.  Thanks.

* Matthew 10: 35-36 (NLT)