If you have ever experienced rejection then you can agree with me when I say that it can be embarrassing and profoundly painful. No matter how strong you are, being rejected by a person or an opportunity can make things agonizing or traumatic. Rejection can cause individuals to feel shame, loneliness, social anxiety, jealousy, heighten depression and so much more. In general, rejection can feel like weights being attached to your ankles; making it very difficult for you to move forward. As you can see, rejection should not be taken lightly but for ignorant reasons, it is.
I am not sure when the "I am too strong to feel anything negative" movement began, but it is essential that I briefly remind others that even the strongest person cries from rejection. Strong individuals are inaccurately portrayed as being exempt from experiencing the effects from rejection. As a result, those "strong" individuals are rarely checked on and feel pressured to keep "it together" while people continuously "dump" their personal issues on them.
To the person reading this with that "strong" friend:
Please check on them if they have experienced rejection recently. Rather it is a rejection in the form of a relationship, friendship, job, or more. Never assume that they can handle every experience on their own.
If you notice that your friend is going through it, keep your personal matters to yourself. Now is NOT the time to discuss YOUR personal issues and make any of the conversations about you.
It may be awkward and uncomfortable to see that "strong" friend respond to rejection in sadness. However, please keep in mind that before that friend received the "honorable" title of being "strong", they are actually a human being.
To the "strong" person reading this:
It is okay to express your emotions, so I urge you to cry, yell or shout. Doing that is not a sign of weakness or being peculiar. It is a sign that you have blood running through your veins.
It is okay to unapologetically set boundaries with people who pressure you to prioritize them. In fact, saying "no" or "I am not in the right head space at the moment" is one of the things that will keep you sane as you process the hurt.
Remember, rejection is normal and happens to everyone. It does not matter how "nice" you are to family members, friends and strangers, rejection cannot be avoided.
Be honest with God about what you are feeling! 1 Peter 5:7 says, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you". God wants you to throw to Him everything that is bothering you. He does not expect you to keep the anxiety, sadness, pain, or anger to yourself because He cares about you and He is the only One that can handle whatever burden you throw His way.
If you are tired of being that "strong" person, stop being it and give yourself grace to be human and express your emotions. You are not any less of a man or woman because of your reaction to rejection. You are just being a man or a woman that is responding from rejection.
Be blessed and be encouraged.
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