Years ago, my draft manuscript was rejected by a publisher who insisted I find an agent. When I couldn’t find one (it wasn’t easy), they assigned one to me, and I didn’t particularly care for him. After much criticism and nonacceptance, I shared with others that I had my first rejection.

Looking back today, the draft was poorly written, but in my defense, I was a beginner and didn’t have the book crafting education that I have now.

Rejection can hurt. It could be the loss of a promotion at work because the boss felt someone was more qualified than you, the loss in a relationship that makes you question “What did I do wrong?” or the loss of an opportunity like I had.

The good news is that after rejection something better is waiting around the corner, sometimes it takes months or years, but there is always hope on the horizon. After I published two books, with another formulating in my head, that rejection was good for me. It’s your choice. You can dwell in the “poor me” state for a while. We’re all entitled to that but don’t drag it out. Move on. Plan your next steps.

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul—and sings the tunes without words—and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson

Emily had it right. Move on with life and continue to hope.

Quiet time, meditation, or prayer may be your choice to find that focus to regroup.

February is the month of love when we celebrate Valentine’s Day. This is the perfect time to embrace the love of God, love of yourself, and love of others.

Remember the rejection that Jesus felt by his own people. He brought the message to love one another but it fell on many deaf ears.

May the following Bible verse encourage you the next time you feel rejected.

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. – Psalm 62:5-6