Freedom From Self Rejection

Romans 5:5-8

We saw in the previous post that many people struggle with a poor self-image and find it hard to accept themselves. Often, the contributing thought patterns have existed for years. How, then, can the cycle be broken?

For us who have received Jesus Christ as Savior, the basis for our acceptance is His death on the cross. But to eliminate wrong patterns of thought and behavior, it takes more than simply knowing why we are accepted—we must meditate on God’s truth. As we saturate our minds with His Word, the Holy Spirit will work in our subconscious to filter out erroneous thinking and develop a healthier outlook. For instance, the Scriptures tell us that believers should have a . . .

• Sense of belonging. Romans 8:15-17 says that Christians are members of God’s family. And in Hebrews 13:5, God assures us, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”

• Sense of worth. Our true value does not waver with circumstance. Rather, our worth is based in God’s infinite, unchanging love—the proof of which is Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf (Romans 5:5-8).

• Sense of competence. Romans 8:11 teaches that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us. We are unable to successfully live the Christian life on our own; but when we are obedient, the Spirit guides us and enables us to be victorious.

Rely on the truth, and appropriate feelings will eventually follow. Scripture says that if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you belong, you are worthwhile, and you are competent in Him. Allow these three facts to permeate your being..

Identifying Self Rejection

Romans 15:7

As news reports indicate, mistreatment of children is tragically common. And kids wounded by abuse can be scarred for life. Fortunately, most people’s experiences aren’t that extreme. But even mild hurts can fester, affecting relationships and self-image.
The Origin. The bondage of self-rejection can often be traced to feeling unaccepted by someone close. Trauma like divorce or a loved one’s death may also contribute to a distorted self-image. Once internalized, this type of thought pattern can lead to negative behaviors.
The Symptoms. If a person has trouble accepting himself, he may have a tendency to criticize others and interpret innocent comments as personal attacks. Perfectionism and feelings of inferiority are also common. As a result, fear of failure and criticism may lead to procrastination.

Unpredictable anger is another outcome of self-rejection. With people who are hurt, frustration may ignite easily. Such individuals might become loners or feel overly concerned about others’ opinions. For example, instead of concentrating on a church service, one may notice what people are wearing and feel insecure about her own outfit. Someone with this mindset can be hard to love because she questions whether she’s worthy of care and affection. Sadly, she may then behave in a way that “proves” her theory.
The solution is found in today’s scripture: Believers are to accept one another as Jesus accepts them. This includes accepting themselves. Ask God to search your heart and reveal any areas of self-rejection.