Are you frustrated because your gifts or what you perceive is your calling hasn’t been recognized by others?
Many have served faithfully in churches or in ministries where their gifts are used, but they are not promoted, recognized or honored.
That breeds frustration.
When that happens, eventually, people leave that church, ministry, or business, to go somewhere in which their gifts will be recognized, utilized, and applauded.
Frustration mounts when our gifts are not released.
There is nothing wrong with moving on from an organization, as the Spirit leads, if your gifts are used, but not recognized.
BUT in that transition, it is imperative we do not pick up offense and wounds that then prohibit promotion or keep us from progressing.
What we establish in the flesh, must be maintained in the flesh.
I met Molly a few months ago and discovered a woman who loved God. She was a fierce intercessor and had a desire to make an impact on her world. She was putting those skills to use, but was frustrated and wounded because she was continually experiencing rejection.
That probably describes many reading this. As I got to know Molly I understood why.
After years of rejection, rather than letting God raise her up, she was working to kick down the door.
She desperately wanted to have a voice and position of leadership. Since others weren’t recognizing her gifts, and had rejected her, she sought validation and position by action.
The problem is there are no shortcuts to leadership. Neither are there shortcuts to trust.
When we try to promote ourselves and be seen, we will have to maintain it through works. It is through the journey that we build the spiritual muscles to maintain position and the Promise Land. God said, He would order and direct our steps. (Ps 37:23-24)
Consider the life of David.
He had a call. He heard the prophecy by the prophet Samuel when he was still a young man, that he would be king. In fact, his whole family heard it!
But the very next day, he was back out tending his father’s sheep!
As frustrating as it must have been, he wisely didn’t take that prophecy and try to fulfill it. He waited.
That prophetic word was challenged often as he experienced numerous rejections during that wait.
It’s important to understand that the release of a word over your life invites opposition.
It is the process and journey that prepares us to fulfill it—if we are willing to walk it out.
There were numerous divine appointments after that word, which certainly appeared as if God was moving David into leadership to be king. Yet, instead of getting closer to the fulfillment, a fierce and jealous adversary, the enraged king (Saul), rose up determined to destroy him.
During those years David had the opportunity to take Saul’s life and make it happen. It certainly appeared as if God had delivered Saul into his hands.
For example, when Saul went into the cave to go to the bathroom—the cave where David and his men were hiding! (I Sam 24:3) Most of us would have seen that as a God intervention.
However, David wouldn’t let his men touch Saul. That wasn’t the only such instance in which David could have taken power and brought about the fulfillment of that prophecy.
Instead, he refused to exalt himself, waiting until God did.
After Saul died, once again, David could have stepped up and taken the throne. He was the obvious choice. Instead, he waited until the people chose him.
Had he established himself, without the heart of the people behind him, would he have been able to maintain the kingdom? He wisely chose to continue to wait on God’s timing.
The kingdom split as Judah made him king, while Saul’s son, Ishbosheth, was crowned king of Israel. Ishbosheth reigned for two years. (2 Sam 2:10)
Was David tapping his fingers in frustration thinking about Samuel’s prophecy? What we learn from scripture is David had to continually encourage himself in the Lord.
Which is what you must do as you wait in the place of in Between for God to move you into position.
SEE ALSO: Waiting in the Land of In-Between
There will be positions along the way that seem to be the breakthrough. But then become one step forward, and two steps back. Do not let discouragement and impatience seize your heart.
To fulfill your call requires faithfulness.
David wasn’t just sitting on his hands as he waited. He was using his skill set and continuing to grow it. As he did, people gravitated to him.
Even when he went and hid in a cave to escape Saul and encourage himself in the Lord, men found him. Men who had also experienced rejection and were outcasts.
Notice even as David had to battle his way out of rejection—God was using him, to teach those the Lord brought to him, how to battle their way out of the same thing.
What we experience and gain victory over we are able to impart to others.
Your battles are never just for you, but to learn, impart and help others gain their victory.
The spirit of rejection seeks to keep you silenced and frustrated.
SEE ALSO: The Blessing Withheld is Being Released
It will prompt you to either remain hidden and give up or compel you to exalt yourself. Neither are a godly response.
Like David, learn how to encourage yourself in the Lord and then be willing to grow your gifts under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. Work with others to grow the spiritual muscles needed for promotion.
As you do, people will eventually gravitate to you!
Are you willing to simply be obedient to the Lord, even if you never receive the acknowledgment or position, you feel you deserve? Are you willing to, like David, wait for God to move you into position, even as you see the years ticking by?
Declare this day that the spirit of rejection that has wrapped itself around you, be gone.
Cast it off just as blind Bartimaeus cast off the cloak that designated he was blind. He cast it off, as an act of faith to receive his sight.
God is saying to many right now, “Cast off the cloak of rejection as it is not who you are. Be healed of the wounds of your soul. Stand up and rejoice. Take courage. Get back in the race and use your gifts, which I have given you to be a blessing.”
And know, as you do, God will raise you up, as you keep your heart and eyes on Him, to fulfill your call. The Lord has not forgotten you.
…but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright (Ps 37:13-14).
