Have you ever wondered, “How can anybody love me?” This question can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Sometimes, our fear of rejection can become so intense that we try to protect ourselves by:
Vowing to never let anyone get close enough to hurt us again.
That sounds good in theory, but when we close people out, we close ourselves in, and we end up feeling even more alone.
Putting on our best “game face.”
I’m tough! I don’t need anybody anyway. And no one even tries to meet our needs.
Pushing people away.
When we feel rejected, we imagine we’re being attacked, even when we’re not. So, we put on our boxing gloves and come out swinging.
Trying to buy “rejection-protection” by doing favors for people.
We might even put up with abusive relationships because we think that’s what we deserve or the best we can get.
Practicing perfectionism.
The paralysis of perfection is a losing game. Give it up. People’s expectations vary so widely, you can’t make everyone happy no matter how hard you try. Plus, God already loves you unconditionally.
Until you see yourself as God sees you, you will continue attracting the wrong people. Here’s what John says in the Bible,
“See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!”
1 John 3:1
Don’t let anyone else set your self-worth other than God. When you know your worth and value comes from God’s thoughts about you, you will live as the unique and amazing person God created you to be.
Today, you can say, “I am who God says I am. I have what God says I have. So, I can do what God says I can do.”