“So, Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back home to fight against the people of Ammon, and the Lord delivers them to me, shall I be your head?” ~ Judges 11:9
REFERENCE:
If rejection is not the end of a man’s journey, then he has made a comeback. For his comeback to be more glorious than his setback, he must be intentional about his response to rejection. Jephthah became better after his rejection because that is how God wants it to be. David said, “The stone which the builders rejected became the chief cornerstone. It is the Lord’s doing.”
Jephthah’s victory over rejection resulted from his right response to it. Let’s take our concluding lessons on how Jephthah won the battle against rejection:
d. Renegotiate Your Return: You cannot do this if you can’t retain your self-worth. God is not done with you yet; what you are going through is preparing you for where you are going. The elders who rejected Jephthah came seeking his help. Very soon, another man, woman, organization, etc., or the same ones that rejected you will come to you. Renegotiate with them and engage at a higher level; discuss better terms in the relationship/organization. Let it be on your terms! John F. Kennedy (former US president) said, “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”
e. Rest in God: Leave the details of your comeback to God. Jephthah did his part but could not influence the events that led to a war between Ammon and Israel. While he was making himself better, God was preparing something bigger for him. He stirred up situations that led to conflict and put it in the elders’ minds to seek Jephthah. God will orchestrate events to favor you, lead you to those who need you, create vacancies, let a relationship fail, send someone to town to set up a business, create a need in an organization, etc. Rest in God!
Jephthah turned lemons into lemonade – that is a ‘victory mindset.’ He could have given up after his rejection, but he rose above it and made something of himself. God has designed victory in the end for you; pull back the curtains and see it. You can also become the chief cornerstone after rejection. Rejection is a setup for you to be remembered at a higher level.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Isaiah 61:3, Isaiah 61:7, and Isaiah 30:15
PRAYERS:
+ Father, move me from rejection to recognition, hate to celebration, and disrespect to being decorated.
+ I demand a better ending, job, relationship, house, opportunities, etc.
+ Lord, I will sit on a throne in the same place, city, community, or family where I have been despised or looked down upon. From today, every shame around me shall turn to double honor.
