Now What? A Dramatic Reading -Left Out in The Cold Devotional - Teen to Adult

Now What?

(A Dramatic Reading)

You were faithful.  

You showed up. You served. You gave.  

But then...  

a whisper behind your back,  

a decision made without you,  

a wound that didn’t bleed—but scarred.  

You didn’t ask for rejection.  

Yet it wrapped around your heart  

like winter wind.  

So you backed away. Just a little at first.  

Skipped one service. Dodged that call.  

Then found someone—  

someone who nodded when you said:  

*"They were wrong. I was right."*  

And it felt good…  

until it didn’t.  

Now what?

You cry, but you don’t kneel.  

You speak, but not to God.  

You share the hurt, but not the healing.

Bitterness becomes a friend—  

and pride your pastor.

Now what?

Jesus was rejected.  

By His own.  

Beaten by betrayal,  

crushed by silence,  

and still…  

He forgave.  

David ran to caves.  

Joseph lay in prison.  

Daniel faced lions.  

Rejection didn’t end their stories—  

It refined them.  

And you?

Now what? 

Now you weep, yes—  

but you worship, too.

Now you whisper not judgment, but “Jesus, help.”

Now you thank Him as you pray—  

“Even in this, You are God. Even in this, You are good.”

Now you forgive.  

Not because they earned it—  

but because *God* did.

Now you rise.  

Not with vengeance,  

but with vision.  

Now you are gold—  

not in spite of the fire,  

but because of it.  

Susan Barker Nikitenko July 3oth, 2015© pmrmnmkbpbBenAnnampmb

 “Left out in the cold” is a metaphor that paints a picture of someone who feels forgotten, abandoned, or distant—emotionally or spiritually. Imagine standing outside in winter, shivering, while others are inside warm and connected. That’s how it feels when someone has drifted from fellowship with God or His people after being hurt. They’re not literally outside—but their heart feels isolated.

In your writing, it beautifully describes what happens when a Christian gets wounded, clings to offense, and starts to pull away. They're still loved by God—but they've stepped away from His warmth. The metaphor invites them back in, where forgiveness and restoration wait by the fire.

“Left Out in the Cold”

A Devotional on Rejection, Offense, and God’s Healing Path

Scripture:

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." 

—Psalm 119:165 (KJV 1611)

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Devotional Thought:

There are moments when the redeemed stumble—not because they are unloved, but because they choose pride over surrender.

You’ve been wronged.  

You can’t forget it.  

You can't fix it.

You share the hurt, and others agree—you’ve been mistreated.  

But slowly, you drift from God’s presence.  

You justify your silence. You nurse your anger.  

And without realizing it… you’re out in the cold.

But the cold is not your ending—it’s your calling back.

Let’s look to new stories for light:

- *Miriam* was struck with leprosy when she spoke out against Moses (Numbers 12). Her offense delayed her journey—but God restored her when Moses interceded, and she was humbled.  

- *Naomi* became bitter after loss, saying, “Call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20). But through her pain, God wrote a story of redemption and legacy she never saw coming.  

- *Jonah* ran from God, angry at His mercy. His bitterness left him in darkness—until he cried out from the belly of the fish (Jonah 2). Even rebellion could not drown God’s purpose.

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A Call to Reflect:

- Have I let offense become my identity?  

- Am I speaking *about* others more than I’m speaking *to* God?  

- What refining might the Lord be doing in this testing season?

He doesn’t waste the hurt. But if you cling to your “rightness” instead of His righteousness, you may delay the healing He longs to bring.

Scripture Reminder:

*"Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word."*  

—Psalm 119:67

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Closing Prayer: 

Lord, I have let offense steal my joy and silence my praise. I repent. Like Miriam, like Jonah, like Naomi—I want to return. Refine me. Melt the bitterness I’ve held on to, and give me a heart that forgives as You have forgiven me. Thank You for never leaving me out in the cold. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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