Strong Enough to Be Rejected
Let’s be honest—nobody likes to be rejected.
There’s something about that sting, that cold shoulder, or that silent unfollow that feels personal. Whether it’s a friend pulling away, someone criticizing your decisions, or just not getting picked, rejection can rattle even the strongest of us.
But here’s the deeper question I often ask the young men I work with:
Are you strong enough to be rejected… and still keep moving toward your purpose?
The Fear of Not Fitting In
Especially for young people, fitting in often feels like survival. Approval from peers is currency in middle school, high school, and even college. If you’re not liked, you’re left out—and nobody wants to be left out.
But here’s the problem: when fitting in becomes the goal, calling gets compromised.
I see it all the time. Young men who have dreams, convictions, or ideas about who they’re supposed to be—but they shelve them because someone might think they’re “too serious,” “too different,” or “too much.” And slowly, the compass of their life starts spinning. They’re no longer heading north—they’re just drifting toward whatever earns applause.
And let’s be clear: that drift is exhausting.
Why You Need a North Point
If you want to live with strength, you need direction. A True North. A purpose that’s worth the journey—even if the journey means walking alone for a while.
When you know where you’re going, you’re less shaken by who doesn’t come with you.
That’s what we help young people discover at Pillars. Through conversations, workshops, and real-life mentoring, we walk with them as they ask life-defining questions:
What truly matters to me?
What kind of man or woman do I want to be?
What do I want to leave in the wake of your life?
Where am I going—and why?
When those answers begin to take shape, something powerful happens: they stop chasing crowds and start building character.
They grow strong enough to be rejected.
Because Rejection Will Come
Here’s a truth no one can escape:
If you stand for anything, you’ll lose someone’s approval.
If you live with clarity, you’ll be misunderstood.
If you live with purpose, someone won’t get it.
But if you’ve done the work to know who you are and where you’re headed, you’ll find the strength to keep going.
You’ll discover that rejection doesn’t mean you’re wrong—it might just mean you’re finally right.
How Pillars Can Help
At Pillars, we don’t hand out cookie-cutter answers. We walk alongside young men and women to uncover who God created them to be—uniquely and unapologetically.
We help them:
Define values worth standing on
Discover passions worth pursuing
Develop a voice worth using
Build a life worth living—even when it’s not popular
We remind them that the approval of many isn’t worth the loss of your calling. And we challenge them with love: “Are you strong enough to be rejected?”
It’s a question that tests your core. But the answer—when rooted in truth—can set your entire life on course.
Want to Help a Young People Discover Their True North?
Whether you’re a parent, mentor, young man or woman yourself, we’d love to come alongside you.
Reach out to us at Pillars – where people matter and we care.
Let’s help the next generation grow strong—strong enough to live boldly, love deeply, and yes, even be rejected for the right reasons.
