The Nona Jones Show

In a world where social media gives us a front-row seat to everyone else’s highlight reel, it’s easy to feel like we’re falling behind. But what if I told you that comparison isn’t just unhelpful—it’s toxic? My guest today is a Grammy-winning artist, a scholar, and now an author whose latest book challenges us to climb higher—not by looking at others, but by looking within...Jonathan McReynolds!

Order my new book The Gift of Rejection here:https://www.nonajones.com/books/the-gift-of-rejection I recently released my new book, The Gift of Rejection, and I have been so encouraged and inspired by the number of people who have reached out to say the book has changed their life. After more than a year of carrying this message around the United States and internationally, I can say with complete confidence that rejection is the most common form of human trauma. But, there is hope and healing. Today, I am joined by someone who has an incredible story of resilience in the face of rejection. He is a pastor, entrepreneur, author, singer, break dancer, fashion designer, husband, father and I am honored to call him my friend and brother, George Davis.Check out my new website!https://www.nonajones.com/ Take a look at my other books!https://www.nonajones.com/books

Today I want to tackle an aspect of rejection that doesn’t get talked about enough and that is how rejection shapes identity. There are people walking this earth who genuinely believe that the reason they do what they do is because it’s just who they are, not realizing that the reason they do what they do is because of rejection pain.

It is human nature to experience rejection and think something is wrong with us because of another person’s choice, but my hope is that we will begin to seek God for wisdom on how to make rejection serve his purpose for us. And, today, I am joined by my good friend and special guest, Christine Caine, whose entire life is a case study in how to do this with grace.Order my new book The Gift of Rejection here:https://www.nonajones.com/books/the-g... 

When rejection first happens, the pain is so visceral that it’s almost impossible to imagine anything good coming out of it. But, today, I am joined by special guest, Dr. Dharius Daniels, who is going to help all of us see how, in the hands of God, rejection positions you for purpose.Order my new book The Gift of Rejection here:https://www.nonajones.com/books/the-g... 

Order my new book The Gift of Rejection here:https://www.nonajones.com/books/the-g... I can tell you without a doubt that my new book, The Gift of Rejection, is the most important book I’ve ever written. And I believe it will be one of the most important books you will ever read because you will never experience the fullness of joy and purpose that God has for you when you are carrying rejection wounds. You can say, “I’m over it” all you want to, but the fact of the matter is that rejection hurts. And, if we were honest, many of us are still bitter because we were abandoned, or humiliated, or left out, or blamed, or criticized by someone we had hoped accepted us. But, today, I want to invite you to go with me as I share how I have been able to get free from rejection pain; both past and present.

No matter how psychologically or emotionally strong you may think you are, rejection hurts. And it hurts because we only experience rejection when we thought we were accepted. So, when rejection happens, it doesn’t just injure our pride, it breaks our heart and shatters our hope.Today, I want to talk about the ways rejection expresses itself through us; some ways are subtle and some ways are overt, but the bottom line is that rejection is not something you just “get over.” It is something you have to work through. I want to first tell you about me.

I recently spoke with several single friends and colleagues who shared their frustration at the state of the dating pool. Some of them had thought they found their person, only to get rejected by the person. Others have simply stopped dating altogether after racking up more rejections and disappointments than they can count.All of them expressed discouragement and confusion by what seemed like relationship dead-end after relationship dead-end. But, what if their dead-ends… were actually detours? And, what if those detours ended up saving them from a future they would regret? In God’s hands rejection is often protection. Let’s talk about it.

Rejection taught me to see myself as disposable. It taught me to see myself as unworthy and, because of that, there have been times in my life when I’ve settled for being treated in ways that are beneath what my humanity deserves. So, this season we’re going deep into the choppy waters of rejection and today I want to start by sharing the revelation that actually set me down this path a little more than a year ago.

What do you do when you start to feel uncomfortable in something and sense God may be calling you to leave it, but it’s all you know? Maybe it’s a long-term relationship that isn’t growing with you, or maybe it’s a city you no longer feel you should live in, or maybe it’s a job you feel you’ve outgrown. How do you discern the voice of God from your personal fears or desires? Today, I want to talk about how I have learned to hear the voice of God when he called me to resign from two jobs I loved.