Have you ever experienced the power of a rhema? I have, and it’s pretty powerful! A rhema can help you recover from rejection and many other pitfalls. I suggest you find one a day, just like vitamins, to keep you spiritually healthy.

A Word from THE Word

There are two primary Greek words described in Scripture that are translated as word in the New Testament.
Logos—The Word of God. This refers to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, Who is the living Logos.
Rhema—The Spoken Word. This refers to a word that is spoken and means “an utterance.” A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction. (1)

We are concentrating on rhema here. I like to think of a rhema as a particular word from the word, an utterance of God just for you. You can find another shorter post about the rhema by here.

According to Strong’s Concordance (#G4487), rhema means an utterance (individually, collectively, or specifically) on a particular matter or topic (2). For example, Jesus used a rhema when He tempted in the desert. We read in Matthew 4:4, But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'”

Memorization and Meditation

I am trying to maintain a practice of rhema memorization and meditation, but it has been difficult during these days of Covid-19, with disrupted routines delaying or altogether eliminating my morning quiet time with the Lord. Consequently, I’m just a bit off without it. How about you?

Anyway, back to Rhema memorization and meditation, when I started this practice my mentor suggested I begin in Proverbs, reading a chapter a day since there is one for every day of most months.

Before reading, be sure to pray for God to illuminate His word (logos), opening your heart and mind to the message He has for you at that moment (rhema). As I read, there are usually one or two verses that just jump off the page for me, but it’s not always like that. Sometimes they bring a fulness of gratitude or love that results in tears or even laughter. This time spent reading the Bible is truly precious.

I take that newfound rhema word and jot it down on a sticky note. Then I keep in front of my face. I work on memorization and spend time rereading it and thinking about it throughout the day, turning it over and over in my mind and talking to God about it. That’s meditation.

Getting Your Attention

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger,
And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

Last week, the Lord made time for me to be with Him, and then He spoke deeply into a troubled area of my soul. Wow! I was instantly conscious of what He was telling me through His word. Immediately relieved, unburdened, and ready to LET IT GO!

The crazy thing is, it was May 20^th so I should have been reading Proverbs 20, but I wasn’t. It was later that I  realized I was in Proverbs 19, right where God wanted me. Have you ever had a similar experience?

Here’s why this verse was so pivotal for me. I mean, aside from the fact that it was the Creator of the Universe speaking to me. You see, I suffered through (I can say through now) a situation at work that tripped me up for almost two years. In retrospect, I know now that my insecurity exacerbated my reaction.

“Life is 10% what happens 
to you and 90% how you react to it.”
– Charles R. Swindoll

When I read this verse, it was like the Lord was telling me, “It’s time for you to move on; I’ve got this.”

I found it! My rhema for the day. My mind was clear, and God had my full attention.

Secrets of Rejection

There’s a secret I’ll share with you that illustrates why this daisy chain of events was so significant for me. I tend to hold on to the hurtful words of others. It seems like I always have. Those insecurities of mine too often cultivate those words until they grow into full-on feelings of profound rejection. There you have it, the secret is finally out.

That work situation, it turned out to be a career buster. It was personal because I prided myself on my professional achievements (another pitfall). Because my sites were set high, I worked long, hard hours in a harsh environment. I gave up a lot to get where I was, and so did my family. After Being jolted out of my position, literally rejected, I was crushed and those feelings began to escalate and hover at high intensity with no relief in sight.

The injury felt deep, real, and intentional. It knocked the wind right out of me.

I began hearing things that were not there. Let me be clear; I do not hear voices. What I mean is, I know that my insecurities allow me to be easily offended, way too easily. Every little thing makes me feel somehow rejected by the other person. It’s like I expect it to happen, so I receive it, even when it doesn’t exist. Can you relate? I hope not.

For me, Proverbs 19:11 says I can overlook the transgressions of others. In Christ, I am free from the power rejection had over me. That is the only way. Not everything is about me. But everything about me should be about Christ. It was time to start recovering from rejection.

That was a powerful discovery, and I still had more time alone, so I kept reading while the Holy Spirit continued working.

Rescue from Rejection

Psalm 18:3
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.

As I often do, I turned to Psalms 20 because it was still May 20^th. But I was off again, by two days this time, and began reading in Psalm 18. I told you my routine was off.

As my eyes took in each word on the page, I began to understand. The Lord was gently reassuring me to move forward in His plan, it was time. In other words, I must trust him to take care of any injustice I may have suffered through the words or deeds of others. He has a plan for each one of us, but we can’t move forward without dropping the weight of whatever it is we’re carrying. In my case, it’s the weight of rejection.

I had forgiven those who hurt me months earlier. However, it’s still hard to forget the pain of it all sometimes. Being easily offended kept that wound raw, tender, and oozing with infection. That’s just what my real enemy, the devil wants. He prowls the earth looking for someone to pounce on at his or her weakest moments (1 Peter 5:8). Carrying that weight prevented true healing and propped the door open for the enemy to keep poking at my wounded heart. There wasn’t going to be healing without releasing the rejection I was holding so tightly.

But God, in these few passages, said, “Man rejected you. I chose you.” (John 15:15)

I finally heard Him.

Recover from Rejection Through the Rhema

We need rescuing before recovery from rejection can begin. I wasn’t planning to read either of those passages. I should have been reading the proverb or psalm of the day, the twentieth day. But God, again, had other plans. He won’t let us miss what He as to say.

“The only thing that will help us move past the giant of
rejection is to immerse ourselves in the acceptance of Christ.”
― Louie Giglio

I had a fresh understanding of an old passage. I started to wonder why. Maybe I wasn’t ready yet. What was God still working out of me? I had done the heart-work of forgiveness. God always has a purpose, even in our trials (Psalm 103:19). What else, Lord, what else?

Trust.

That was IT. I wasn’t fully trusting God. I needed God to step in and heal the hurt of rejection and help me set a new course in confidence. Therefore, I must believe that God is for me (Romans 8:31). He is for you, too. And that’s enough.

I don’t think I was off a day or two in my reading. But, I do believe God was right on time (Isaiah 55:8-9).

The Rhema Course Correction

Psalm 18:46-48
The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock;
And exalted be the God of my salvation,
⁴⁷ The God who executes vengeance for me,
And subdues peoples under me.
⁴⁸ He delivers me from my enemies;
Surely You lift me above those who rise up against me;
You rescue me from the violent man.

It is time to move on from past hurts that are hindering progress today and live the life God planned for me. I’ll go even further to say that letting go of insecurity and fully trusting God is the only thing that will bring this long trial to a victorious end. I’m only sharing what I heard when God uttered His word to me.

God has plans to prosper and bless us (Jerimiah 29:11). To grow us up in the Spirit, to bear fruit for His Kingdom (John 15:8). Surely, He lifts us above those who rise against us (Psalm 18:48).

We do not judge because that is God’s job.

We cannot take vengeance becasue that is God’s job too.

Our job, yours and mine, is to drop the weight of sin, rejection, insecurity, or whatever it is holding you back. Leave it at the foot of the cross, my friend. Then we can confidently walk in freedom, trust, and obedience unencumbered by the past, by what we have done, or what others have done to us (Hebrews 12:1).

Be assured that He is with you every step of the journey (Deuteronomy 31:6) because God lives up to His promises.

A New Road

Isaiah 43:18-19
“Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
^19 “Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert.

I’m stepping forward with my writing while remembering that my confidence comes from Christ. I’ve joined Hope*Writers. I’m working to improve this space, learning the technology or hiring someone to do it for me, and with my son’s help, I’m expanding my social media presence. You could say that I’ve already hired a social media consultant. That’s progress!

Yes, all of that puts me in a vulnerable position, open to criticism that could hurt me, and make me feel rejected by readers and possibly the writing community. With that in mind, I’m working very hard not to let my insecurities take me there. I’m not going to expect rejection. I have no reason to.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

Walking in Freedom

Instead, I’m trusting God to give me the words He wants others to read. The words He wants you to read, friend. In addition, this requires a willingness to accept constructive criticism as guidance rather than rejection. I know my days won’t be sweetness and light, but they won’t all be doom and gloom either because I have a rhema stored in my heart to recall as often as I need it. God always has a purpose, so maybe this is what He was getting me ready for all along.

Lord, don’t allow me to receive every difference of opinion or suggestion as a transgression against me. Make me unoffendable, open to guidance, and recognize constructive criticism as coming from You. Help me to see others through Your eyes. Take away my insecurities, for I trust you. Keep the enemy from this space. Let it be ours. Be with me in every keystroke and every swirl of my pencil, that I may share Your Good News and bear much fruit, all Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

What about you? Do you have a rhema experience to share? If not, get into God’s Word with intention, and you soon will.

Photo credit – Unsplash.com
Quotes: 57 Rejection Quotes To Comfort Us When We Are Denied, December 30, 2019, Dr. Nikki Martinez, Psy.D. LCPC, Lead Contributor, https://everydaypower.com/rejection-quotes/

Footnotes:
(1) https://iblp.org/questions/what-rhema
(2) Strong’s Concordance