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Godly Living Posts / Quotes

Rejection: Biblical Strategies for Overcoming it.

March 20, 2022 - By Sarah Luma

“Rejection doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough. It means the other person failed to notice what you have to offer.” – Anonymous

Before anyone rejected us, God accepted us. But how do we handle rejection in our lives?

Almost every Christian has faced rejection—by parents, friends, colleagues, or even in deeper relationships.

Yet Jesus Himself experienced rejection, even by those He came to save, though He was fully God and fully accepted by the Trinity.

John 1:11 “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him”.How we deal with the negative feelings of rejection affects our peaceful Christian life. God doesn’t want us offended, but not everyone will accept us.

Can you believe it is part of God’s plan for Jesus to experience rejection? Surprised! Yes, it is. God reveals through David in Psalms 118:22, “The stone which the builders rejected. Has become the chief cornerstone”.

Prophet Isaiah prophesied Jesus’ rejection. Isaiah 53:3“He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!”.

Rejection is not preventable, but it is solvable.

We cannot escape rejection completely, but God can see us through if we use the scriptures to deal with it.

My father rejected me nine months after I was born for reasons I still do not understand decades later. Though he accepted me again when I was 12 years old after my mother died, I still sometimes wonder “why” he did that in the first place.

However, the scripture“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close” Psalms 27:10 has been my consolation from God. He will never forsake you even if a man abandons you.

There is no logical explanation for rejection. Only God knows why.

God will always accept you. In Isaiah 49:15, “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” God’s love is unconditional towards all his creation, you inclusive.

Jesus’ earthly ministry is an example for us. Thus, the following steps are worth emulating. Since I began applying them, I have experienced an inexplicable peace of mind in all my relationships. Try it!

1. Expect rejection

Anticipate experiencing rejection. This could be from either people you have or do not have relationships with. This is the first step of healing.

Jesus warns us to expect it.“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18.

When rejected, please do not think it strange and doubt your God. Everything Jesus experienced reflects what we will share, so just copy what He did.

You cannot control how people will treat you in different situations, but you can control whether to live sour, bitter, or offended with the pain of the past. Rejection by man is not the denial by God.

1 Peter 2:4. “You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for a great honour.” Believe this; it is true for you, too.

2. Choose to be with those who accept you

You cannot force people to accept you always. Strangely, sometimes the most hurtful rejections are those from our closest family relatives, friends, or spouses.

Joseph experienced rejection and abandonment. Sadly, his biological brothers sold him. He decided to forgive them and reconciled with them years later, but his career/ministry advanced. He worked with integrity and maintained trustworthy relationships with all the Egyptians he met. Gen 37-50.

If you try to reconcile and maintain a good relationship with those, who rejected you but do not want to accept you, switch your focus to other people. Yes-change your company without bearing grudges against those who rejected you.

Mark 6:4-6 “4 But Jesus words to them, “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching”.

Decide to invest your time in those who need your support, and continue showing love towards everyone you meet.

Jesus never stopped His purpose because his closest people rejected him.

3. Pray for those who rejected you

This is the most unlikely thing anyone will like to do given how painful rejection can be. I agree. It is difficult, but I found peace with God and man since I started applying this principle to all my friends and close relatives who rejected me.

The hurt can change our lives, but we must choose to push it to the positive side.

Jesus, on the cross with all the pains, prayed for God to forgive all human beings for rejecting him. Luke 23:34. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots.”

It is even ironic that Jesus, even as God, felt rejected by God. “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).” Mat 27:46. What a complex paradox! That says everyone hates rejection, the devil uses rejection, but God loves you regardless.

You probably just said I don’t understand the gravity of the pain you felt! Yes, I acknowledge I cannot fully understand your pain because I did not experience the exact situation you went through. But I know that even though all cases are not the same, we can imitate Jesus by letting go of the hurt.

I encourage you to forgive and pray for those who have rejected you. Be open like God to accept them lovingly if they repent but refuse to condemn them. James 2:13 “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

There are millions of testimonies of those who dealt with rejection. You are no exception. Thus, I admonish you to expect rejection even as a Christian. However, decide to move on with your purpose. Lastly, wholeheartedly pray for those who rejected you. We have to refuse not to give up.

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Godly Living Posts / Quotes

Dressing with Purpose: Reflecting God Through Appearance

March 13, 2022 - By Sarah Luma
“The first impression people have of you is who you are.” – Anonymous

Is that really true? Partly. People often judge us by what we wear.

God looks at the heart, of course, but He also cares about how we present ourselves. Sometimes, people only hear what we have to say based on our appearance.

Yes, we are misjudged by our outfits at times. But this post isn’t just about physical dressing. Our spirits also need to be “dressed” according to God’s divine purpose.

So I encourage you: dress neatly, dress decently, and let your outer appearance reflect the beauty of your inner spirit.

Does our dress affect how people address us?

Our clothing has a significant effect on how people regard us. Since ancient times, dress has been used to depict professions. Everyone gives honor to military officials when they see their uniforms. If we respect our jobs, we can honor God through our clothes.

A typical example of dressing our spirits is in Apostle Paul’s allegorical analysis. He explains using Roman soldiers’ uniforms in those days. Eph 6: 13-16.
- “Therefore, put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
- Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
- In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people”.
Who instituted dressing?

God instituted dressing when He made clothes for Adam and Eve (Gen 3:21-23).

Dressing up appropriately is what everyone has to do. Strangely, some Christians nowadays are either indifferent or nonchalant. There has to be a balance between what we wear physically and what we wear spiritually. Some people cannot reconcile some Christians’ dress with the gospel, so they wrongly address them as such.

There are some Christians who think focusing on building the spirit is essential. As a result, the emphasis is not on the physical. They dress and expose their bodies, saying God is within. At the same time, another group of Christians has established exaggerated doctrines on how to dress. For example, they insist that ladies wear headgear or hats in church.

The list is long for denominations, but one thing is certain decency, in general, is imperative. From the Biblical characters and Jesus, inclusive is relevant. Jesus is our standard.

Everything God created was good. Also, everything He has given man the wisdom to develop is for the well-being of man. The purpose of clothes was for us to cover our nakedness. Choosing to dress half-naked is disregarding God’s intent for creating clothes.

When our dressing is inappropriate, we shouldn’t be surprised when people inappropriately address us too.

“Looking good is good business.” How you look is how you feel.

Everyone, at the least most people, dance or smile when they wear new clothes. Some women usually make turns around the room. Others move in front of the mirror, envisaging the occasion; they will wear the new dress.

Ever wondered why supermarkets have big wall mirrors where clothes are? Could it be because everyone wants to look at themselves in different outfits? “People go-to wedding celebrations to see the kind of wedding dress the bride will be wearing, “Anonymous. How accurate is this statement?

Is God interested in how we dress?

God has an interest in the kind of clothes we wear. He created Males and Females with specific differences warranting unique dressing. Even though our generation has made alterations to the type of clothes, these changes are now based on each gender group. However, as Christians, we need to be cautious and deliberate in what we wear.

Many quote Deut 22:3 as evidence for gender clothing. It says, “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wears women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.”

Spiritual decency, according to God, is not about the price tag of your clothes. Neither is it the colourful hair extensions. Nor the height of our heels, or is it the brand/kind of pieces of jewellery and accessories you wear. These are not bad. But they have to be in moderation.

In simple words, Apostle Paul again explains in 1 Tim 2:9-10. “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

Let your conduct reflect how you dress.

Apostle Peter equally remarks about the qualities of beauty and fashion in relation to dressing. He commends Christian women nowadays to adopt the dressings styles of married women in the Bible and to consider how they were addressed. Their sauce affected the address they received

His recommendation is in 1 Pet 3:2-5. “when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands”.

“The clothing of the people in Biblical times was made from wool, linen, animal skins, and perhaps silk. Most events in the Old and New Testaments took place in ancient Isreal. This is why most Biblical clothing is ancient Hebrew clothing. They wore underwear and cloth skirts.”

It is not scripturally acceptable for a God-fearing man or woman to dress naked partially. We have to treasure and value our bodies. This entails keeping them clean and well-covered. Nudity is a secular fashion trend that isn’t Biblical.

The value and cost of Jesus’ clothes in Mat 27:25 are of good quality. That sounds like an assumption, right? Unfortunately, it is not. The evidence is“After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.” You accept they couldn’t have cast lots for something worthless, right?

Our dressing affects how people address us, whether we are aware or not. We are responsible as Ambassadors of Christ to uphold reliable impressions everywhere we go. How do you dress?

For more Godly advice, consider reading the article giving up is not a Christian Option.
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Godly Living Posts / Quotes

3 Ways to Avoid Giving Up

March 8, 2022 - By Sarah Luma

Life’s challenges never stop. It’s a reality we all face.

And sometimes, we come close to giving up. But there is a way to keep going: align with the design of our Creator. That’s the only way to persevere.

According to Macmillan Dictionary, “Giving up is one of those times in life when you stop doing something that you regularly used to do.”

The urge to give up often comes from depression, frustration, or rejection. Even Jesus experienced moments of burnout and doubt during His earthly journey. Yet He never gave up. Could God give up on Himself? Absolutely not.

Under pressure, Jesus chose to obey God’s will. His example reminds us that following God’s purpose often means letting go of our own desires.

We see in Luke 22:39-42 a typical example of how Jesus overcomes the difficulty of giving up. “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Do you know why it was easy for Jesus to deal with the agony of giving up? Indeed, you said, what could it be?

It was because he had a custom of always praying. The power of prayers cannot be overemphasized.

From this scripture, prayer doesn’t stop temptation but prevents you from falling into it.

Step 1: Make a constant praying habit.

A habit is indeed a regular choice, but the idea that it takes exactly two weeks to form a habit is not universally accurate. The time it takes to form a habit can vary for different individuals and behaviors.

When prayer becomes an integral part of one’s lifestyle, it can indeed provide strength to resist the temptation of giving up, as it fosters spiritual resilience and connection.

The reasons behind someone taking their own life are complex and can’t be generalized. In Judas Iscariot’s case, various factors are speculated, including guilt and the weight of betrayal. People may consider ending their lives due to a range of mental health issues, emotional distress, hopelessness, or other personal struggles. It’s essential to approach this topic with sensitivity and seek professional help when dealing with suicidal thoughts.

A deep, selfless prayer connection with God prevents thoughts of ending one’s life during tough times. Life is a divine gift, and taking it by one’s own will goes against God’s purpose.

Just as Jesus’ prayers were unwavering and sacrificial, we should align our will with God’s, trusting His superior plan.

This is clearly seen as God replies to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you before you were born, I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

How to do it?

We don’t know everything about ourselves. Do you agree that is strange to say? I bet you just nodded. Yes, it is.

But, similarly to the production process, only the producer can give the original manual with explanations of how to use a product. This is an example of God as well.

Just like Jesus, it is easy and almost natural for us to want our will done in our lives, but we must always recognize that God’s will should always be sought, especially during difficult times.

God acknowledges there will be challenging periods when you feel like giving up, but he still expects us to submit to His will and trust His plans for our lives.

In the same way, he reassures Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This is what he wants us to believe in our lives.

Step 2: Praying earnestly is the solution for giving up.

Could this be a repeated point? No, it is not an error. It emphasizes the power of prayers during happy and unhappy times. You cannot afford to stop praying, especially when you are in a desperate time like Jesus, preparing for death.

Several times, Jesus replied to the Pharisees and his disciples, saying, “Verily, Verily…”. That implies the stress on the importance of what he was talking about. (John 14:12)

Again, in Luke 22:43-44, we see “An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground”.

No one wants to give up on life deliberately. Everyone expects empowerment from God to deal with their difficulty. The good news is that God is aware we cannot overcome without his strength, which is why he continually sends his angel to strengthen us.

Psalm 73:26 is a vivid example of how David was peaceful when he admitted he could not do anything alone. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” We all need God’s strength daily.

The phrase can describe the intensity of Jesus’ internal and external pain, “his sweat was like drops of blood.” This reflects absolute agony, yet he prayed the most in such a state.

Once again, you can only deal with the urge to give up on suffering by praying earnestly and lovingly. Maintain a solid, unbreakable bond with the Holy Spirit even in bad times.

Step 3: Prayer prevents you from giving up

You are probably asking why prayer is the title of this step. Good question. The answer is already what you said, and your heart has just confirmed it.

Alluding to Luke 22:45-46, we see how Jesus repeats the power of prayers to his disciples. “When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

There is no denying that the sorrows and pains of life can overwhelm us and exhaust us so badly that we will prefer to do things our way and sleep whilst life passes us by. I encourage you always to make prayer a lifestyle to prevent you from giving up.

We can choose a smile after the prayers, believing God is aware of the temptation and will deliver us from anything if we call upon him.

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Reasons to wear a smiling face daily

March 1, 2022 - By Sarah Luma

Did you know that a simple smile can have a direct impact on your health?

Choosing to smile daily offers both spiritual and physical benefits. In a world filled with uncertainty and constant challenges, finding reasons to smile may seem rare—but it’s more important than ever.

Let’s explore fascinating truths about smiling and why it’s worth making it part of your daily lifestyle.

How Can Smiling Daily Improve Our Health?

King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 15:30,
“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.”

This joyful expression lifts our spirit—our heart—and fills us with life. The heart, in this context, represents our inner being, the place where God dwells. That’s why Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from them.

A confident smile rooted in our identity in God can be a powerful remedy against depression. As Proverbs 17:22 says:
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one’s strength.”

Can We Ask God to Smile on Us Daily?

Absolutely. God desires to bless us with His presence and favor—His divine smile. When we open our hearts and seek His ways, we can invite that smile into our daily lives.

Psalm 119:135 – “Smile on me, and teach me your laws.”
Psalm 31:16 – “Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!”

It is God’s goodness that sustains us through every season, both the good and the difficult.

Psalm 4:6 – “Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, LORD.”

If we ask God to smile on us, He will help us reflect that joy outwardly.

Even King David prayed for God’s smile to stay with him throughout life:

Psalm 39:13 – “Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again before I depart and am no more.”
Psalm 80:19 – “O Lord God of hosts, restore us; cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

God’s smile brings restoration and salvation—gifts freely available to those who seek Him.

Can Sin Affect Our Smile?

Yes, sin has the power to affect our countenance.

In Genesis 4:7, God told Cain:
“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door…”

Unrepented sin weighs heavily on us. It can dim the joy from our faces. But when we surrender to God and choose righteousness, the burden lifts—and joy returns.

Spiritual maturity involves recognizing sin’s influence and choosing to walk in obedience. That decision leads to consistent, joyful smiles.

Can Smiling Be a Tool for Evangelism?

Absolutely. A genuine, heartfelt smile can reveal the goodness of God to others.

Psalm 126:2–3 says:
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’”

When we smile sincerely—especially during trials—people notice. They may even begin to wonder about the God who gives us strength to smile in hard times.

Job 29:24 – “I smiled on them when they did not believe, and the light of my face they did not cast down.”

Our smile can be a silent sermon, a testimony of faith.

Matthew 6:16 also teaches us that our appearance matters before God:
“When you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do… Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

God sees and rewards a joyful, faith-filled countenance. A smile becomes a visible reflection of our relationship with Him and an encouragement to others.

When Should We Smile?

There’s no specific time to smile—we’re called to smile always.

Romans 12:12 says:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Even in grief or pain, we can choose joy. Life will give us many reasons to frown, but we can make the firm decision to smile through it.

Proverbs 14:13 reminds us:
“Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief.”

Still, choosing to smile—especially when it’s difficult—is a powerful act of faith rooted in our trust in God.

Even when the emotions don’t match, we can still choose to smile intentionally.

How Should We Smile?

Job 9:27 says,
“If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and smile.’”

This verse reminds us to resist dwelling on what’s missing or what has gone wrong. Instead of feeding our complaints, we should make the conscious choice to shift our focus and preserve our joy. Smiling becomes an act of spiritual discipline—a decision to lift our countenance even in the middle of hardship.

What Is the Relationship Between Smiling and Hope?

A true sign of trust in God is the ability to smile, even when the future feels uncertain.

Proverbs 31:25 says,
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.”

This powerful image shows us that our smiles are rooted in hope—hope not just for this life, but for the eternal future we have with God. A smile can reflect deep assurance that God is walking beside us through every chapter.

Living Joyfully Takes Effort

While everyone desires a joy-filled life, experiencing consistent joy requires intentional effort. Smiling daily doesn’t come from relying on our own strength or emotional stability.

Our emotions naturally fluctuate with circumstances. But spiritual joy—the kind that lasts—is anchored in the presence of God. It’s a fruit that grows in our lives when we depend on the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 tells us,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”

When we welcome the Holy Spirit into our hearts, He begins to produce joy in us. This joy isn’t about feeling happy all the time, but about being grounded in a deeper, unwavering gladness—one that sustains our smile even when life feels heavy.

We don’t need to force joy or wear a fake smile. Instead, we can draw from the deep well of spiritual joy that the Holy Spirit freely gives. This kind of joy allows us to smile genuinely, even in the midst of difficulty.

A daily smile becomes truly lasting when it’s anchored in the joy of the Holy Spirit—not in our shifting emotions, life circumstances, or personal willpower. Smiling each day isn’t about pretending; it’s about inviting the Spirit of God to fill us with a deep, enduring joy that naturally shows on our faces.

A daily smile becomes truly sustainable when it’s rooted in the joy of the Holy Spirit—not in our moods, circumstances, or personal strength. Smiling each day is not about forcing an emotion, but about allowing the Spirit of God to fill us with lasting joy that overflows through our expressions.

Additional Scriptures About Smiling
Proverbs 15:13 – “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.”
Psalm 16:11 – “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Isaiah 12:3 – “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

These verses remind us that joy is a spiritual gift that brings both inward peace and outward expression through a smile.

Reflection Questions
Why is smiling every day important for believers?
How does it reflect our trust in God and the joy we receive from Him?

When is the best time to smile?
Are there moments when smiling is hardest? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit into those moments?

Looking for more encouragement?
You can explore additional faith-building articles and insights here.

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