Shake the Dust Off Your Feet

Facing Rejection

“If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”

—Matthew 10:14

There is a pain common to all of us—one that belongs in a category all its own. It just hurts differently than the other pains we experience in life. It stirs up feelings of insecurity, causing us to question our worth and value. We may feel alone and unwanted. We start to crave validation—or, alternatively, we may withdraw and isolate.

This pain, this affliction that we all face—often repeatedly throughout life—is called rejection.

Rejection is the act of being refused, dismissed, or cast off. Essentially, it’s when something or someone is turned away as unwanted or not good enough. And let’s be honest—ouch. Whether it’s a door that closes, a relationship that ends, or the hurtful words of others, rejection hits deep. I mean, it’s like a verdict came down about our worth, and we were found “unworthy.” That is a lot to process!

I should mention that, as you may have guessed, I was recently rejected. Something I put a lot of effort into was dismissed rather abruptly by someone I valued. It hurt—a lot.

Now, I believe God is using this to train me to trust Him more. To care less about what people say or do, and more about what He says to do. I understand this refining process all too well. But still… the pain is real, and so I’m wrestling with it a bit today.

I thought perhaps, since the sting of rejection is something we all face, we could wrestle together. You know, get to the root of it before we’re uprooted by it, so to speak.

If, like me, you’ve ever felt unappreciated and unvalued, you’re in good company—with the prophets, the apostles, and even Christ Himself. God doesn’t waste rejection—He redeems it.

Throughout Scripture, we see this truth play out again and again:

• David was overlooked by his own father (1 Samuel 16:11)

• Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:28)

• The apostles were rejected repeatedly as they carried the gospel (Acts 5:41, 2 Corinthians 4:9)

• And Jesus? Rejection and mockery followed Him all the way to the cross—and even beyond (Isaiah 53:3, Luke 23:18). He faces rejection to this very day.

He said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first” (John 15:18).

And in those moments when rejection tries to rewrite our identity, we must turn our ears to the One voice that never changes. Because where the world says, “no value,” God says, “My chosen one.” It’s often in those times when the noise of rejection is loud that we hear His whisper cutting through the chaos, saying:

"You are more than enough for Me. More than a conqueror. Anointed and appointed, precious in My sight, fearfully and wonderfully made, heir to the King, My chosen one, My beloved child. You are Mine, and I will never reject you."(Romans 8:37; 1 Peter 2:9; Isaiah 43:4; Psalm 139:14; Romans 8:17; Ephesians 1:5; John 6:37)

Could there be anything better? Any sweeter balm to cure the heartbreak of rejection than the loving acceptance of our Heavenly Father? He is not distant, but “intimately acquainted with all our ways” (Psalm 139:3). He truly sees it all—and yet, He has given us, His children, His stamp of approval. Literally, we are marked as His.

And in every one of those biblical stories—David, Joseph, the apostles, Jesus—rejection wasn’t the end. Redemption followed.

• David became king and part of the lineage of Jesus

• Joseph rose to second-in-command in Egypt and saved a nation

• The apostles were used to birth the Church

• And Jesus? Well among other things, he conquered the grave, securing our eternal acceptance

So, what about us? What do we do with rejection?

We do what God says.

• We hold it up to the truth

• We remind ourselves of His words to us and about us

• We speak it—out loud

• We ask Him to give us “eyes to see” what He sees

• And then… we move forward

Rejection may come, but that doesn’t mean we sit in it. The enemy is the “Father of Lies” (John 8:44)—so why on earth would we take advice from him?

Next time rejection shows up, let’s do what Jesus told the disciples to do:Dust ourselves off and move on.

🍃 Scripture to Reflect On

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”—Psalm 27:10

🍃 Your Turn

Have you recently faced rejection? How did it affect your heart, your confidence, or even your faith?Take a moment to journal or pray about it. Then ask God to remind you of your identity in Him. If you're feeling brave, speak one truth from Scripture out loud today—just one. Watch how it begins to change the way you carry yourself.

Feel free to share in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.