There’s always hope no matter what the situation. But that’s not easy to see or feel if you’ve been abandoned or rejected. It can seem so elusive at times and that’s why I love the scripture in the Bible that says God is always with us.

If we go to the depths of the sea he is there. If we go to the far ends of the earth, he’s there too. He is the one you always count on. The one who promises that he will never leave you. Do you find that hard to believe? I did.

I talk with people who have faced rejection and found that they were always the ones reaching out. They longed for connection and when it was ignored or rejected, the pain came flooding over them again. And I’ve talked with women who aborted a baby only to discover they could no longer have children. The despair was so great.

I feel your pain and I know what it’s like to lose hope. And I want to encourage you today. No matter what’s happened, you can have hope that won’t disappoint.

What is Hope?

I’ve discovered that hope has various layers. For instance, you can hope your kids come home for the holidays. Or that you’ll land that job you’ve dreamed of. Or that Santa will bring that special gift you desire.

Those are great aspirations, and I’ve yearned for all of those at one time or another. Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. And when it does, you feel happy.

But you’ve been disappointed just as I have. A dream didn’t happen. You were passed over for that job you so desperately wanted. And I’ll bet you found ways to mourn the situation and move on, right?

I want to dig deeper into the depth of those internal longings. The ones that seem so distant and cause you to lose hope.

Estrangement Can Create a Loss of Hope

No doubt you can name things that can cause you to lose yours. Suicide is often the choice when someone has lost all hope. I’ve been heartbroken when a friend’s son or daughter has chosen to take their life to end their pain. It’s almost caused the parents to give up.

People I know who have been abandoned or rejected long desperately for connection. So much so that they often find themselves reaching out repeatedly only to be rejected again.

Rejection is akin to abandonment. Someone you know and love has decided they don’t want you in their life any longer. You may know why but I’ve been told that some don’t have any idea. Someone they care about decided one day they no longer wanted a relationship.

These kinds of disappointments can lead to loss of hope. But they don’t have to. You can find hope even amid the darkest and most painful circumstances.

In my story, which you can download at www.beckykolb.com/guide, I share my experience with estrangement on various levels. And I share the source of my hope when I was at the lowest point of my life.

Others May Reject You but God Never Will

You see when others reject you, it’s hard to believe that God could be counted on to be there for you. But that’s exactly what I discovered. The desperate longing in my soul led me to reconsider a relationship with God. You know, kick the tires to see if it was worthwhile pursuing.

These verses spoke volumes to me.

These verses brought great comfort to me as I read them. But I struggled to believe that God would intend those verses for someone like me.

 God is Pursuing a Relationship with You

How could God love me and have plans for me? I had things in my past. Could he forgive those things? I had been rejected by others so how could I have assurance that this hope was for me?

Here are some verses you can look up on your own that will give you God’s assurance that his promises are for you.

As I read scripture and prayed, God’s presence was near. Hope filled my heart. Sadness begins to fade like winter into spring.

I began to realize that God was pursuing me. He wanted a relationship with me. He loved me, had died for me, and was inviting me to be part of his family.

It had been a long time since I had been in Church or prayed, but gradually it became a desire in my heart. The decision to give my life to God was the most profound and rewarding.

The God of Hope

God promises in scripture that he will never leave nor forsake his children. And if you’ve invited him into your heart, then you are his child. That promise alone gave me great hope. You can rest on that promise regardless of any other relationship you have.

I normally don’t devote an entire episode to my faith, but with the devastation I see in estranged relationships it seemed appropriate to offer an olive branch to any who might consider that God is reaching out to you. That he does have a plan for your life. He loves you and refuses to give up on you. Just as he never gave up on me.

When I decided to quit running from him and turned around, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found was his loving arms wide open welcoming me home.

That’s hope worth sharing. It changed my life, and it’s changed the lives of many I know. It can change yours too.

Are You Ready to Find Lasting Hope?

If you wallow in self-doubt and struggle with guilt, shame, and the pain of rejection, consider exploring a relationship with God. Read those assurances I gave you and ask God to give you understanding. Open your heart to him and unlike those who have disappointed you, he won’t. That’s a promise you can count on.

Saying yes to God has made me a better person today. And I’ve discovered a lasting internal peace despite my circumstances. If you have questions or want more information about this faith, contact me at https://beckykolb.com/contact/

I’ve been where you are. I know the emotional pain and I also know the hope that can be yours.

Until next time – Remember to be better – not bitter!

TOPIC: Podcast