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Have you ever let the fear of rejection hold you back from sharing your faith? You're not alone. In this powerful exploration of Acts 14:8-20, we confront one of the biggest obstacles Christians face when it comes to evangelism: the paralyzing fear of being rejected.

The story begins with a miraculous healing in Lystra, where Paul enables a man crippled from birth to walk instantly. What follows is both comical and profound—the locals mistake Paul and Barnabas for Greek gods, attempting to offer sacrifices to them. Despite their protests, the people cling to their traditions. Eventually, Jews from nearby cities stir up opposition, and Paul is stoned and left for dead. Yet amazingly, he gets up and continues his mission in the next town.

This narrative offers us profound insights into why people reject the gospel. Some struggle with reconciling a good God with the presence of suffering in the world. Others find themselves blinded by deeply-entrenched traditions and cultural beliefs. Understanding these barriers helps us recognize that rejection isn't personal—as Jesus said, "If they hate you, remember they hated me first."

Drawing fascinating parallels to the story of Jia Jiang—who deliberately sought rejection for 100 consecutive days to overcome his fear—we discover a transformative truth: the reward of seeing someone come to salvation infinitely outweighs the temporary pain of rejection. Like Paul, we need both compassion for the lost and the power of the Holy Spirit to speak boldly despite opposition.

How would your life change if you asked yourself: "Is your dream—your love for lost people—bigger than your fear of rejection?" This week, challenge yourself to share Jesus with at least one person. Because while you worry about hearing "no," consider the greater possibility: what if they say "yes"?

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