Made New: Rewriting the Story of Rejection Through God's TruthSample

Day 1: The Root of Rejection

What are the roots of your rejection?

Have you ever felt like you weren’t enough? Like, no matter what you did, it still wasn’t worthy of love, grace, or acceptance? Rejection isn’t always loud. Sometimes it whispers through silence, unrealistic expectations, or subtle abandonment, whether it be emotional, spiritual, or physical. And more often than not, the root of rejection is found in the fear of being left behind.

For me, that fear of abandonment began in my own home. I was the oldest of five siblings and held to a higher standard, which I once believed was just part of growing up in a strict household. But as I matured, I realized that the pressure I carried was not normal; it was weighty, and it came with consequences that shaped how I saw myself.

I never lacked material needs. But I lacked the most essential thing a child craves: emotional safety and acceptance. I was kicked out of my home twice in high school, once for arguing with my brother and once for texting a girl. I couldn’t understand how something so small could lead to something so drastic. What did that say about my worth? How could I ever feel safe in the world if I wasn’t safe in my own home?

This rejection bled into every space I stepped into: classrooms, locker rooms, and church pews. I questioned everything. Why wasn’t I enough for my mother? The woman who carried me for nine months wasn’t she supposed to love me unconditionally? These questions haunted my teenage years. But the answers didn’t come until I started digging beneath the surface and began examining the family tree's roots.

I didn’t realize it then, but I had learned to overcompensate, to perform, achieve, and please, just to feel like I belonged. I buried my feelings deep enough that I no longer recognized them. I built walls and wore masks to keep others from getting too close.

But underneath it all was one core fear: What if people find out who I really am or what I’ve done? That’s shame. That’s guilt. That’s the voice of rejection trying to convince us that we must hide who we are to be loved.

But God… God is not afraid of our roots. He sees every scar, every seed of rejection, and still calls us His. Psalm 118 reminds us that even the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. That means what others have discarded, God can still use as a foundation for something new.

Reflection Questions:

•What experiences or voices shaped the way you view your worth?

•Have you ever buried pain so deep that you forgot where it started?

•Are you carrying shame or guilt that has kept you from showing up fully?

Prayer:

Father God, today I ask you to dig up every root of rejection that has attempted to hold me captive and keep me living in the shadow of lies. I thank you for never rejecting me and choosing me to be a recipient of your love, your mercy, and your grace. Today, as your child, I accept your truths and say yes to who you have called me to be. Thank you for loving me regardless of who I am or where I am in my circumstances. Today, I give you permission to build on me. Today, I ask for help with my weakness so that it will be an opportunity for you to put your hand on my heart. I love you. In your name, I pray, Amen.