Samuel was a man of loyalty who served Israel as a judge
and priest. Near the end of his tenure the people decided they wanted a king to
rule over them. Reading Samuel’s letter of resignation, I can’t help but detect
sadness, hurt feelings and anger, although God assured Samuel he was not the
object of their rejection.
Rejection should not diminish
self-respect because it doesn’t depend on everyone loving or liking you. Self-respect
is not contingent upon success or failure when integrity and honor determine a
person’s choices and goals. People with self-respect are less prone to secret-keeping,
guilt, regret and stress.
Samuel
believed God directed his life, and he lived within the boundaries of God’s purpose
for him. That doesn’t eliminate hurt feelings or grief over being rejected or
displaced, yet it includes being able to flow with God’s will. Self-respect
occurs when you know, and God knows, you’ve done your best and you’re satisfied
with it.
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