Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Nouwen Meditation: The Trap of Self-Rejection

A Spirituality of Fundraising:

For Those Who Give & Raise Funds

5-PART ONLINE SERIES | FEB 7-MAR 6, 2024

WEDNESDAYS 12-1 PM EST


JOIN US as we bring together philanthropists 

and fundraisers for rich conversations about 

spiritual practices for health and sustainability. 

Can't make a session? Not to worry!

You'll have access to watch the 

sessions at your leisure.

REGISTER TODAY

DAILY MEDITATION | JANUARY 10, 2024

The Trap of Self-Rejection

Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection. When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. . . . As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, “Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody.” . . . My dark side says, “I am no good. . . . I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned.”


Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.

Henri J. M. Nouwen
LinkedIn Share This Email

"See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut... Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."


REVELATION 3:8b, 13 (NRSV)

Explore the Daily Meditations
Subscribe to our new Daily Meditation in Spanish!

Consider our monthly giving program to sustain the ability to extend Henri's legacy and make his work available to those who seek spiritual formation and nourishment. Click here to sign up today.

Donate

Text excerpts taken from "You are the Beloved"

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

© 2017 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust.

Published by Convergent Books.

Photo from pixabay.com.

Scripture reading contributed by L. Yeskoo.


Contact us : admin@henrinouwen.org | 1.866.226.2158 | henrinouwen.org

Facebook  Twitter  Youtube  Instagram  

No comments:

Post a Comment