I went to bed, pulled the covers over my head, and had a big ole pity party. Once again, I had been rejected…come in second place…told I wasn’t quite what “they” were looking for. The scarlet letter loomed large. It wasn’t an A like Hester Prynne’s in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book I had read in high school, but a big fat R that I chose to wear when life turned ugly.
There was a woman in the Bible who understood rejection too. You probably know her as “the woman with the issue of blood.” She was defined by what was wrong with her rather than what was right. Perhaps you’ve felt that way a time or two in your life—defined by what’s wrong with you, at least in your own mind.
Mark 5:25-32 tells her story and lets us know that she had been suffering for 12 years. During that time, she had been rejected by her family and friends, and drained financially and physically.
What woman among us hasn’t felt the wretchedness of rejection and the humility of hopelessness? What woman among us hasn’t felt she was less than because of certain circumstances in her life? What woman hasn’t wondered; Would God even care about the likes of me? She felt all that and more.
In Biblical days, certain situations and conditions rendered a person ceremonially unclean. A woman was considered unclean during her monthly cycle. That means she was untouchable. Let that sink in for a moment.
Sometimes we can feel the same. Abandoned by friends. Deserted by a spouse. Forgotten by family. Unseen by society. But she was not forgotten. She was not alone. This daughter of Abraham was close to God’s heart and foremost on His mind. So, God the Father orchestrated His Son’s journey to pass her way.
The woman broke all the rules when she heard Jesus was coming. She pressed through the crowd and reached for the hem of His garment. Immediately, she was healed. She felt it. The power left Jesus. He knew it.
“But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear, told Him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (Mark 5:32-34 NIV).
Sometimes one single word in Scripture speaks volumes. Daughter. That was a term of endearment she would not easily forget. No matter what you’ve been through, or what you will go through in the future, hang on to this truth: You are God’s daughter whom He loves.
Mark 5:25-32 reminds us just how much God values and esteems His female image bearers. He singled out one lone woman from a crowd of curiosity seekers, healed her physically and spiritually, and then placed her center stage to tell about it during a time in history when women weren’t even allowed to testify in court or speak to men in public.
When we feel rejected by the world, we can remember that we have been selected by God. You have been chosen…handpicked…never less than.
Lord, I know that rejection is just part of life. When I feel second best, help me remember that I am the apple of Your eye, and that’s all that really matters. My significance is found in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Look back up at today’s graphic at the top of the page. Which one of the affirmations in the list mean the most to you? Leave a comment and let’s share. I’ll randomly pick one comment and send a FREE copy of Never Less Than!
Digging Deeper
Doesn’t it just warm you heart to see how Jesus honored women in a culture that considered them property. In a time when women weren’t allowed to speak to men in public, sit with men in the synagogue, testify in court, or sit under a rabbi’s teaching, Jesus crossed right over those cultural boundaries to honor and esteem women as co-image bearers of God. Want to learn more about how Jesus, the God-made-man broke the man-made rules to set women free…to set you free? Then this book is for you! Never Less Than: Living Empowered, Esteemed, and Equipped When the World Tells You Otherwise.
This would be GREAT for your next women’s Bible study!!!
Comments 96
I really needed this – thank you!
The whole paragraph resonated with me.
Having recently been rejected by my husband of fifteen years, “Selected not rejected” brings tears to my eyes.
Selected not rejected
Delivered not destroyed
In remission end of May from large b cell lymphoma- going more strength each day and looking forward to when I can get port removed. So grateful God has carried me through this.
I have been forgiven not forsaken!
This was my choice also. I am thankful that I am forgiven for my sins and am not forsaken!
Selected not Rejected
My head is always telling me I’m less than…
I just can’t pick 1.
Selected, embraced, protected, forgiven, delivered, esteemed, empowered, fully alive and cleansed! All of these are a part of the beautiful story Christ has brought to my life and so many others. God truly is good!
Empowered not Overpowered
Though the calamitous concerns of this life can feel encumbering and overwhelming, I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me and I’m more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ Who loves me.
😃🙏🏾✝️
Esteemed, not demeaned.
Just Thank You so very much!
Thank you Sharon!
I love them all, but to choose one:
“Fully Alive, not Fatally Flawed”
I was sick for a good 6 wks recently,
I had no energy, muscle weakness, depression, mood changes. Didn’t want to leave the house. I was in God’s word everyday. The scripture I clung to was Psalm 118:17 “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD!”
My Dr ran blood tests, and end result was that a possible virus had come on me. I am well now and able to do the things that I love to do! Serving the Lord, as top priority.
God Bless all my sister’s in Christ🙏❤️
Author
Praise God for healing!
“Cleansed within, not trapped in sin.”
I struggle with feeling forgiven when I continue to struggle with forgiveness to a group of people.
“Protected, not neglected.” I am a fairly recent widow and I am learning that I am never alone, even in my loneliest days and that I can trust God to always take care of me.
‘“Embraced not erased”
Am in my silver-hair, golden age years and have struggled with feeling ignored, abandoned and worthless. This scripture of the woman being cleansed by touching the hem of Our Lord’s garment has long been a treasured favorite of mine. I want to stay hidden because that has been “my place” but needing desperately the healing of negatives of being pushed to the side – get out of the way. And being embraced by the Lord is beyond (but trying to believe) priceless to me.
Thank you for your encouragement through this devotional.
Author
I’m so glad it encouraged you!
Embraced not erased
Delivered not Destroyed ~ as I struggle everyday with feelings of rejection, self worth, and inability to be the person I want to be. Yet I smile, and I’ve hidden it from everyone.
Forgiven not neglected, not condemned, not judged.
I identify most with embraced not erased. I’m a retired teacher and also a retired Children’s Pastor at my church. Since I don’t work with kids anymore, I question if I truly made an impact on their lives. Was all those years I put in wasted?
Author
Absolutely not! You will see many MSN’s of those children in heaven snd they will tell you the impact yiu made on their lives!
Fully alive not fatally flawed.
He died for my flaws making me fully alive. Thank you Jesus
Embraced not erased. God sees and hears us all. His divine intervention healed a woman who had been unseen for years. God saw her in a crowd and changed her life.
Esteemed not Demeaned
For my entire 28 years of marriage, when I don’t agree with my spouse or his family, I am demeaned. I am told that I have a problem, I am the one who needs to get it together. Even when I have sought Christian counsel and bring it back to the table for discussion my spouse and in-laws they only see fault in me. They call themselves Christians, but feel that they are blameless in all aspects of life. The weight of that is incredibly heavy. I frequently believe that maybe I am worthless. Because of children and grandchildren I try to just keep the peace. How can I be esteemed by God when so many tell me otherwise? I don’t even know what I did all these years to offend them. All I have done is try to be myself. Share a different viewpoint. I’m far from perfect and do make lots of mistakes. I’m human. I get this woman of the bible who was deemed ceremonialy unclean. The pain of being an outsider is brutal sometimes. I pray to be lifted from this mess, to be shown a direction to turn, but don’t see an open door. I will keep praying. Perhaps I have allowed myself to live oppressed so long that I believe this is my only option.
Thank you for this devotion today. It definitely stirs my mind to remember who I am, a daughter of God.
Author
I’m so sorry you are being treated that way. Do you have some good friends in your church?
Fully alive not fatally flawed.
“Protected not neglected” – wow this speaks volumes to me. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Thank you so much for this. My daughter really needs this. I passed it on and pray that she reads through it and takes courage.
Empowered, not overpowered
Thank you for this.
Thank you for today’s message. It was just what I needed to hear!
Protected not neglected
I’m choosing to be empowered, not overpowered—trusting God to give me the strength and grace I need to help my mom through a difficult situation. It seems overwhelming, but with His grace and guidance we will overcome this.
Love…Selected not Rejected….people can reject you but Jesus never will!
Esteemed not Demeaned – this is the one most fitting for how I want to love toward feeling
Identity in Christ, Living fully
Never less than
Good morning Sharon. I am facilitating a small group studying your book. Take Hold of the Faith you Long For. I want to say thank you for following your gift!! Being obedient. Something I lack very much!! And I’m praying for you!! Seriously I am!! I know the evil one is always lurking.
We are searching for a new study. Maybe this new book will be it!! Do Tammy.
Author
Thank you for your prayers. Really. I mean it. The battle is real.
Forgiven not forsaken.
Author
Yes!
Thank you for this message this morning. I certainly needed to hear it.
A couple of these resonate with me, but the one that truly struck me is “Delivered not Destroyed”. I went through several years of verbal and mental abuse from my late husband. Though I suffered emotionally, I was not destroyed! I went through many months of counseling and spent hours in prayer healing my emotional wounds and I was delivered!
I am not perfect, I still have some PTSD issues from time to time, but I know that God has allowed me to be healed from the trauma I suffered. So as I write this I am declaring that I am DELIVERED, NOT DESTROYED!
Author
Praise God!
I so needed to hear these words today and for all of us women … He hears us and sees us and will make it all okay.
Embraced not Erased
46 years ago I married a man who h ad three children, he had custody so I became instant mom, what a blessing for me. 26 years ago he decided I was no longer enough. My children did not turn away from me. Thanks be to God.
Protected not Neglected
I love the last line- cleansed within not trapped in sin
Forgiven not forsaken
Selected not rejected.
I think all of the list applies to me over the past year. There is not just one I can choose. I have lost all of my family so it is just me now. I have felt like noone cares – have dropped out of my small group and not a word – no even notices – do not feel included. So much more. I am printing off this graphic and reading it to myself every morning. This sadness I am going through has got to go and so do the pity parties – I feel like I could have one every morning – just pull the covers over my head. But I get up and keep going the best I can with God’s help. The funny thing is – this has never been me. I have always been outgoing, seeing needs in others, laughing – where now there are tears inside and outside. I have isolated somewhat …..just one thing after another this past year. I am tired. I realize it is because I am putting emotions and thinking on myself and others – feeling left out like no one cares – or feeling mistreated or cheated on when the truth is I need to focus all of that on God. He will not do those things – but yet I feel He is also not near which makes me even sadder. I pray but feel He is distant. I know this to not be true but yet that is how it continues to feel. I just cry out His name and that is all I can do at this point, I would gladly appreciate prayers – sorry to dump all this out.
Author
Know that you are being prayed for.
You are loved Kathy, prayers are being sent to our loving Father for you.
You are loved Kathy, I am praying for you!
Father, forgive me for I have sinned & fallen short. I ask that you breathe life into my bones, as in Ezekiel 37:5, so that I may continue to live on the narrow path to my final destination: heaven. Lord, I ask that you bless those who read this beautiful devotion with the motivation they need to keep going and continue to bless Mrs. Jaynes with words and endurance to keep writing. Father, thank You for working through her so that I may hear You speak to me. In the blessed name of Jesus, I offer up this prayer, Amen.
This means the most to me: esteemed not demeaned.
Selected
GOD chose you and me. He purposely pursues us each day because HE does love us that much. He wants to hold us close and take care of us each day for all of our deepest needs. That applies to you and me
AMEN
Protected not neglected. This means a great deal to me when my siblings don’t get along and don’t even acknowledge me. None of them are believers and that means I can only talk with those outsides of my family about Jesus. Thank you for this devotion, Sharon.
I think aboutwith the first one feeling rejected. BUT GOD. When you realize he chose you and he loves. being rejected by humans goes way down because the master of the universe loves you so much!!!
Author
Two of my favorite words in the world! But God!
Embraced not erased
I frequently think of The Chosen scene, when Jesus embraces the bleeding woman. Oh, how I long to feel embraced by him!
Embraced, not erased! Amen and glory be to God.
selected not rejected
Thank you for your message today! Although I was drawn to many of the phrases, the one that jumped out the most was Selected not rejected. There were several incidents as a child when I was rejected, leaving a deep wound. I’m very aware of this in current situations and I try not to overreact in current situations because of the old pain, but sometimes I still feel that old feeling.
Esteemed not demeaned. From childhood I was told I was stupid, a dummy~that I wouldn’t amount to anything. I believed this for decades. I missed out on many opportunities because I felt I wasn’t worthy. It wasn’t until my husband and God showed and taught me differently that I was deeply loved and cherished.
Father, I ask You to forgive me for I have sinned and fallen short. I ask that you breathe life into my dry bones that I may live as in Ezekiel 37:5. Lord, I ask that you bless all who read this beautiful devotional. I ask that you continue to bless Mrs. Jaynes with the words and the endurance to keep writing these motivational words. Bless her family that they may keep her lifted to fulfill the assignment you placed in her heart. Father, thank You for using her to speak to me, especially in the times I am feeling down. Through her, You have let me know I am enough, I am pre-approved, and today that I am accepted. Lord, I give you all honor, glory & praise. In the blessed name of Jesus, I offer up this prayer, Amen.
Forgiven not forsaken. I always take something meaningful from your devotion and the Word! Thank you
Delivered not Destroyed.
Sharon Thank you for this! I always feel encouraged while reading your email. 💞 I would have to say embraced not erased… I struggle with feeling invisible. This season of my life has its own challenges for sure lol
Fully alive not fatally flawed. Though accepted not rejected resonated with me too.
Though I understand that Jesus accepts me just as I am, and forgives me for my sins, I seem to have a hard time believing that. It is a constant battle for me. I don’t really know why.
Protected not neglected
This means alot to me because when I feel neglected and unseen, the word of God protects my heart and mind as I believe in his full acceptance of me.
Thank you for this word.
Father, I ask You to forgive me for I have sinned and fallen short. I ask that you breathe life into my dry bones that I may live as in Ezekiel 37:5. Lord, I ask that you bless all who read this beautiful devotional. I ask that you continue to bless Mrs. Jaynes with the words and the endurance to keep writing these motivational words. Bless her family that they may keep her lifted to fulfill the assignment you placed in her heart. Father, thank You for using her to speak to me, especially in the times I am feeling down. Through her, You have let me know I am enough, I am pre-approved, and today that I am accepted. Lord, I give you all honor, glory & praise. In the blessed name of Jesus, I offer up this prayer, Amen.
Forgiven not forsaken. There are sins in my life that I just can’t understand why God would forgive me for them. I can’t even forgive myself.
Forgiven not foresaken.
Delivered not destroyed.
This was a beautiful reminder that we are continually loved
Selected not rejected. All of my life, somewhere in the deepest part of me, where only God can see, I have felt and been rejected, thrown away like trash, never good enough, even by my own family, but God, my Abba loves me beyond measure, He is King of my heart and Lord of my life, my faithful companion and friend. Every single step, every breath, every moment, I find HIM surrounding me.
Thank you for sharing. I needed this!!!
Embraced by a loving Father walking with me right where I am in life.
Esteemed not demeaned
Because I never felt esteemed by my earthly family, I am so grateful to be esteemed by God.
All lines spoke to me but there were two that stood out more; Selected not Rejected and Cleansed Within not Trapped in Sin.
selected. NOT rejected!
Esteemed not demeaned spoke the loudest to me.
It’s been a really hard year of being rejected by two sisters and realizing how my childhood stuff has burdened my sons as much as I didn’t want it to.. I’ve been reading your book When You Don’t Like Your Story and your story is very similar to mine.
Embraced, not erased. Thank you, Jesus!🙏🏻🩵
Protected not neglected… I need it every day!!
Selected not Rejected and Embraced not Erased.
I am such a blessed wife, mom, and nana and I give so much to my family, my friends, and my job. However, I feel unappreciated and invisible. I just want to feel appreciated. I’m a giving person and I know not everyone is like me, but I just want to be seen and not feel invisible so much of the time. Oh how I would love for my adult children to give me real tight loving hugs every now and then (hugs are so healing), for friends to be a loyal as I am to them, and for co-workers to really SEE me. With all this said, I KNOW that my GOD sees me, because He shows me in so many ways. But the one thing I can’t get from Him is a warm, loving hug….to be embraced. Thank you for this today, Sharon. You truly have a gift.
Author
Thank you sweet friend. Im hugging you right now!
Selected not Rejected.
As someone who has felt rejected all my life easily,that phrase stood out to me!
Thank you
All through my life I have never felt good enough.
The story resonated with me.
If it weren’t for knowing of Gods redeeming love, I’m not sure where I’d be today. I love your messages
I really like that I’m “Empowered not Overpowered.” I’m 74 years old and spent a good part of my life in a religious system that taught me otherwise–especially by two men I still highly respect–my husband and my father, both of whom were preachers. I don’t blame them as they were just teaching what they’d been taught. Thank God for revealed truth in that area!
Forgiven not foresaken
Knowing Our Holy Father loves me so much and forgives me of all my sins and shortcomings; and He doesn’t hold them against me. Wow 😢😢
Embraced by a loving Father who is my constant companion wherever I am in life.
Empowered not over powered! This means so much to me! I am a child of divorce. My biological father said he loved me, but never had anything to do with me. My second father who raised me said he loved me, but was very verbally abusive and demeaning in my years growing up from the age of two on Till much later in my life.
I then married a man I love very much, but was also divorced and had two children. We now have a blended family. I struggle with the same feelings over and over again instead of feeling free to be who I am. I’m always trying to do something to feel accepted and to feel empowered
I found myself really resonating with your writing and the story of the woman. I, too, have felt reject even by my own family. The affirmation I like the best is Fully Alive Not Fatally Flawed! I am my father’s daughter and he does love me even when others do not.
I’m in a similar situation Kathy. Seems many of us are struggling with this. Political views and peoples’ different perceptions of who God is. Having issues with speaking truth into certain family members who are going down paths that aren’t godly, but they feel they are. Not for me to “fix” them, but by speaking out, I have lost them. Right now, there is silence between us, but I am praying for God to work this good. Being still is what I’m hearing loud and clear. Focus on Jesus, His word. He is ordering our steps as we speak. Keep Trusting. He promises good for those who love Him. He upholds us with His righteous right hand. He NEVER leaves or forsake us. Keep reading the Bible truths. Soak in Jesus. The holy spirit is alive and working. Praying His peace, mercy and grace over us all. 🙏🏽
Forgiven not forsaken
Despite my transgressions.
Thank you Lord
“Embraced not Erased”
That’s how I felt when my sole mate proposed to me over sixty years ago
My husband is now and ANGEL in Heaven – God rest his beautiful Sole.
Blessings Sharon
Veronica 🦋🦋🦋🌈🌈🌈