Lesson 10 of 30: Rejection Is Redirection

Rejection is redirection. And yes, it hurts, but accepting this truth robs the enemy of one of his sharpest weapons of destruction.

In my last post, I shared that the opposite of love is not hate, it is fear. And fear often disguises itself in people’s decisions, leaving us wounded if we do not discern the root.

In the months leading up to my migration to the United States, I experienced significant rejection from friends, from family, and even from my church. I would often think wow, Jamaica spit me out like I tasted bad. After coming into Christ in 2020, it was like a "reject me" sign was over my head.

An instance that comes to mind is when my closest friend at the time of this story was getting married. I walked with her through the entire process: helping her pick out her dress, planning her bachelorette party, traveling together, opening my home for her to get her hair done for her big day and the sleep overs making sure the details were cared for. I served her like a sister and loved her the way I understood God was leading me to. In the midst of all this, I had a dream that I wouldn’t be invited to her wedding. God has a very loving way of preparing us for the painful realities of life. And upon inquiring with her, I was told I would not be invited because “there weren’t enough seats”.

It could have been interpreted as hate. A betrayal. A cut that felt personal. But the Lord helped me to see it differently. She lied to me and rejected me because of fear. Fear of displeasing someone in her wedding party who did not want me there. And fear, as we know, is the absence of love. Her choice looked like rejection, but in reality, it was fear dictating her actions.

And even though I knew she was lying, I chose to honor her. Not only because it was HER wedding and had nothing to do with me, but because I was serving God. My obedience was not to her relationship, but to His assignment. Even in rejection, I understood that God had called me to serve for a purpose, and in hindsight, I see how that season equipped me with wisdom and tools I now carry into my own marriage preparation. (Side note, did you guys see that I got engaged?! #ABelovedMoment #2026Bride)

When I was rejected in Jamaica, I was redirected to Baltimore and eventually into the arms of my now Kingdom partner and current Kingdom assignment of building the first homeless shelter in his hometown county. At the time, it felt like being discarded by the ones I would have given my very last for. But even in the pain of rejection, my eyes were opened. I saw that my "devotion" to parents, my family, my country Jamaica and even my own interpretation of God’s promises, often crossed over the fine line of idoltry. I bless God for illuminating me so that I may repent and be healed.

And this is where I see Joseph, whose story is in the latter chapter of Genesis. He too was rejected by the very people who should have loved him most. His brothers threw him into a pit, sold him into slavery, and lied to cover it up. From there he faced betrayal, false accusation, and prison. What looked like loss after loss was actually God’s redirection. Each rejection moved Joseph closer to the palace, closer to the place where the dream God gave him would be fulfilled.

“The archers attacked him savagely; they shot at him and harassed him. But his bow remained taut, and his arms were strengthened by the Mighty One of Jacob, by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.” 

- Genesis 49:23–24

Joseph eventually stood before the same brothers who rejected him, now in a position to save them. He said:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

- Genesis 50:20

Rejection does not define you. It refines you. It repositions you. And most importantly, it redirects you into alignment with God’s perfect plan.

Conclusion

For my 30’s, I choose to see rejection not as the end, but as a divine turning point. I choose to believe that every “no” has a greater “yes” behind it, and that God wastes nothing, not even my tears. Like Joseph, I choose to let rejection redirect me straight into the arms of God and into the fullness of His promises.

Now that you know, let’s grow,

– Kimrose