Belonging is one of the deep desires of our hearts. Because we live in a fallen world, all of us have been rejected, left out, chosen last or laughed at. Think school. And many of us have scars, deep scars of rejection.
The deep desires of our hearts were placed there by God.
Or Heart desires cannot be filled by people or things. They're God sized holes in our hearts that only he can fill. Philippians 2:13. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. And Proverbs 13:12. But desire fulfilled is the tree of life.
Rejection comes when we try to get people to fill our need to belong. We offered ourselves to be a friend, to be loved by someone, or just to be part of a team or some group. And they said, no, I don't want to be your friend, I don't love you, you're not good enough to be on the team, etc.
Through experiences like these, our minds form beliefs. Scripts that run around in our minds warning us not to offer friendship, love, or
or try to be part of a group or team. These beliefs bring with them strong memories of the pain of failed friendships, broken hearts, and not making the cut for the team. These emotional memories drive our beliefs and create fear of rejection.
They rob us of rich, full lives in relationship with others. Look for the lie. Replace it with truth. Think of a time you were rejected. Most of us have plenty of these. Go to the one that hurt the most. It still hurts. Doesn't be clear what. Why did that rejection hurt so much?
What would that possibility of acceptance have given you? And why did you need that at that time in your life? Have you got it? Good. Now number two. Look for the lie. In most cases, the lie was your belief that you needed to get that benefit from that person or group.
The lie is that God wouldn't give it to you or that you didn't already have it.
God wants to replace your experiences of rejection with the ultimate acceptance and belonging to Him.