Understanding Spiritual Warfare: Victory Through God's Presence, Prayer, and SurrenderSample

God Picked You!

When you were a kid, did you ever play games whose teams were decided by captains who would take turns choosing who to have join their team? Unless you were one of the first ones picked, it was an awkward and increasingly humiliating experience of waiting to see how low you ranked in the group.

Rejection, even if it’s just being picked last in a game, hurts. When we feel unwanted, dismissed, devalued, or excluded by others, our sense of worth and value come under attack. We sometimes internalize the messages we are receiving, even if we don’t want to believe they are true. Rejection weaves its message into our sense of identity, whispering, “You don’t belong. You’re not good enough. No one wants you.”

The impact can be devastating, clouding our sense of worth, distorting our view of God, and damaging our ability to form healthy relationships. It’s a powerful weapon that the enemy uses as often as he can to hurt us.

But against this attack, Jesus speaks a truth strong enough to break every lie: “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name” (John 15:16, NLT).

The Greek word used for “chose” means “to select for oneself with deep personal interest.” He chose you with purpose and joy.

This truth transforms everything. In Christ, you don’t have to earn a place at the table—you’re already seated there (Ephesians 2:6). Rejection may be the voice of your past, but acceptance is your present reality in him.

Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s masterpiece, created to do good works he has planned for us. That means two things. First, you are God’s special work, one he is proud to call his own. You aren’t a reject, you are a masterpiece!!

And second, he trusts you enough to ask you to be part of his plan to save the world. You have worth, and you have purpose. He created you to be fruitful.

The enemy attacks your identity because he knows that once you believe you are chosen and deeply accepted by God, you become dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. Rejection aims to paralyze you, but God’s acceptance empowers you to rise with courage and boldness.

Courage is the confidence to move forward knowing you are fully known, fully loved, and fully backed by Heaven. You can walk into any situation knowing that God is with you.

So, stop shrinking back. Stop letting fear of rejection dictate your actions. Move forward in the boldness that comes from being chosen and loved by the only one who matters. You’re on God’s team now.

Reflection Questions

1. Do you have any memories of being rejected? How did it affect your view of yourself?
2. In what areas today does the fear of rejection from others or from God hold you back? What truths from God’s Word could help you see yourself the way God sees you?