Fear of rejection

A lot more romantic dates would happen if it weren’t for males’ fear of rejection. When we’re young, many of us can’t look squarely into a girl’s face and make that first move. When we’re home, we can’t make our hand go to the phone. Filled with self-doubts, we are terrified of rejection. It would be better not to go to the dance than get rebuffed when you ask. 

Doubting God is a prayer killer. But so is self-doubt. It’s good to be mindful of your own sinful unworthiness, but not to the point that you think you are hopeless. You might be so interested in protecting your feelings that you don’t want to get your hopes up enough even to ask God for something you clearly need. Why not? “He’ll just smack me down and say no.”

That’s Satan talking. Here’s Jesus talking: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7,8). God won’t pray for you. He patiently waits for you to answer his invitation, remind him of his Fatherly obligations, and call on him to keep his promises. Through Christ the door to the throne room of heaven is open and the great King is smiling and gesturing at you.

Go ahead—Ask! Seek! Knock! Do it now.