Every parent loves his children.  Sometimes it may not seem like it because parents in our culture and society may seem more into themselves and neglectful of the gift of having children.  AND it’s likely those parents were not discipled on how to raise godly children or to know the blessing of consistency in discipling them.  But, every godly parent loves children.

That’s why in the training process, it can be exasperating when children disobey and reject you.  Sometimes the rejection is strong when they are two and sometimes when they are twelve.  There are often periods before and after those dates when rejection is strong.  Yet, nothing could be worse than when a child turns 18 and runs off ignoring his parents desires for continued relationship and desire to see their child grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It should bother a parent.  It should hurt.  If it didn’t, something would be wrong with the parents.

The same thing can happen when friends reject friends.  The rejection and separation pain is often very painful.  It’s agonizing when a friendship and love relationship is severed.  It’s one thing when the relationship is broken in a godly way, but when it’s done in a wrong way, it’s worse than a knife in the gut. 

Fortunately, Scripture gives hope, peace and calm.    Samuel was rejected by Israel in the latter period of the judges.  He was not a perfect judge.  He had sons that didn’t obey him.  His sons acted on their own behalf.  The nation of Israel was looking around at other nations thinking those gentile nations were better off because they had a king they could see.  Israel was not content submitting to the invisible, merciful and holy God with visible judges.  So, Samuel was bothered and discouraged.  Then God said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.”  (1 Sam. 8:7)  

When people reject you and you are trying to please the Lord, in fact you are seeking after His face, then accept they are really just rejecting the Lord and continue serving in your role as parent or friend.  Forgive where you have been wronged.  Be available to unconditionally love when they change, repent and want to be restored.  Serve their needs where you can by God’s power, so that you do not add to the division.  They haven’t rejected you, they’ve rejected God.  Be still and know that God is God!