Favorite Words: Rejection and Acceptance
by Jan Powell
“He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”
I belong to Word Weavers. The name declares our love and respect for writing. We strive to evoke thoughts, emotions, and images. We weave language fabric into useful, beautiful things.
Our woven arts harbor immense potential, either to inspire or devastate. Consider the familiar saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” We know this isn’t true. Words hold the power to crush, uplift, destroy or build.
Rejection
Though I love most words, there are a few I dislike. I cringe at “reject” in all its forms, including rejected and rejection. This cutting word isolates, hurts, and discourages.
A fresh look at the context of rejection in our writing life changes the impact. Whether our audience is Christian or secular, the Lord governs and fills our setting. All we do is for Him, our audience of one. A “no” reminds us that “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.” Our worst rejection letter will never equal the pain He suffered for us. But if we submit our rejection to Him, the process can refine our message and extend its reach.
Acceptance
Accept, accepted, and acceptance rank among my favorite words. These terms convey warmth and safe haven. They shine like beacons of encouragement and sunny days. As writers, we crave acceptance from publishers, book stores, readers, and reviewers.
Yet ultimate approval centers on an eternal context. Our most important recognition comes from God. In Ephesians 1:6 (KJV) we learn that “we are accepted in the beloved”—the best acceptance ever. In John 15, Jesus said of those who love God and obey his teaching, “My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” We can’t improve on living with the Lord and enjoying His eternal favor.
When rejection comes, face it while focusing on God’s perfect acceptance of you. Find ways to improve your words. Make them strong and clear, able to demonstrate His gracious reach into a stormy world.
Lord, let my words and life shine with Your acceptance every day. Amen.
Jan Powell, a graduate of the University of South Florida has two small businesses. Through Writing with You, she offers writing services: editing, rewriting, coaching and ghost writing for fiction and non-fiction. She loves to help polish manuscripts for others. She has been published in The Wordsmith Journal and Splickety Magazine.