Former Blackout Artist

“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.” ~Psalm 27:10

Fear can be a powerfully destructive emotion. It can drive us to think things, say things, and do things that create irrational responses to otherwise normal situations.

But one of the most destructive fears we all experience in life at one time or another is the fear of rejection. I’m not good enough. I don’t measure up. I’m a failure. I’m worthless. I deserve to be lonely. Nobody cares about me. Nobody loves me.

The prophet Samuel was considered one of the most effective judges (leaders) Israel would ever have. But he would experience this fear of being rejected, and in a way not all that different from the manner some of us have.

Samuel was getting old, and his people were growing discontented. Ideally, Samuel’s two sons would succeed him in the judgeship of Israel, but the people had likewise grown tired of Joel and Abijah. Much like his spiritual mentor Eli, it seems, Samuel likewise had issues with rearing wayward male offspring. The elders saw how corrupt his sons had become and wanted no part of their guidance, either.

“You are old and your sons do not follow your ways,” they said to Samuel. “Now appoint us a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

Imagine being in Samuel’s shoes at that moment. He’s spent many years devoted to following God and leading his people through wars and great struggle, only to have them express their ingratitude by not only demanding that he resigns, but that he selects his own replacement! Of whom, by the way, isn’t someone that Samuel had in mind; but rather someone they themselves perceive to be the ideal image of a king, mostly based on his appearance! The nerve!

The Bible goes on to say in 1 Samuel 8:7 that after Samuel had prayed to the Lord about this matter, the Lord replied, “Listen to all that the people are saying to you, Samuel. It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.” God continued by telling him to give them what they wanted, but to also warn them ahead of time about the corruptive power and greed that human kings possess. Samuel did as God commanded, telling the people about what they could expect. But they refused to listen. “Give us a king!” they demanded.

Perhaps some of us failed to live up to our parents’ expectations. Maybe we were denied a promotion at work, or perhaps we asked another person out on a date, or possibly proposed in marriage; maybe we applied for a loan to borrow money from the bank, only to be turned down. I’m not good enough. I can’t be trusted. I don’t measure up. Nobody cares about me. I’m worthless.

Friend, when these thoughts enter our minds after we’ve been denied something, Samuel reminds us of the very best thing we can possibly do: Take it to the One who loves us no matter what. Have a heart-to-heart talk with God, in prayer. Tell Him all about it. Let Him know how you feel. He feels your disappointment. He understands why you feel this way. He listens and comforts.

And if you allow yourself to rest inside His loving arms long enough, you will begin to not only hear His Truth encouraging you, but you will also begin to feel it deep within your heart.

“Although your own mother and father may abandon you someday, I will never leave you. You are my child. You are wanted. You are loved. It is not you they are rejecting, but Me.”