Do you ever wonder what it means to be favored by God? Or do you ever think about what it looks like to have God’s hand on your life? I thought I knew, but the longer I live the more I realize my understanding of God’s favor is expanding.
At the age of ten, God granted me the opportunity to star in a Christian film called War Room. The movie was a box-office hit and has been viewed by millions of people all over the world. Two years later, God gave me the chance to write a three-book fictional series with my mom titled Lena in the Spotlight. Those books have sold thousands of copies all over the world as well.
These were two life-changing events that gave me the privilege of traveling all over the world to tell my story and share the hope of God. Now, at sixteen, I can easily look back and call that God’s favor.
But I need to be truly transparent and honest with you. When I was asked to write on this passage in the book of Daniel, I immediately felt unequipped and unworthy because there is more to my story.
Two years ago my beautiful mother unexpectedly passed away. She was my best friend. She was with me on the movie set, in my writing, and as I traveled sharing my story. Just two days before she died, we were speaking at a mother/daughter conference together. But then she left this earth really suddenly and entered into eternity. I was devastated. It was the most painful day of my life by far, and I still carry it with me.
But would you call me crazy if I called this God’s favor on my life? I wouldn’t have said that two years ago, but now I’m beginning to understand favor a bit differently, maybe more deeply.
Think about it. Do you think Daniel wanted to leave his home country of Israel? Do you think he would have wanted to live in a land that wasn’t his, working for a king that wasn’t his, being asked to serve a god that wasn’t his? I imagine he was pretty saddened by how his life had changed so quickly. But with the blessing of time and perspective, we can see in our readings today how God’s favor was still with Daniel in all of that.
As devastating and heart-wrenching as reality can be, it can often be God’s favor. God’s favor could be anything He has done or allowed in your life in order to fulfill His ultimate purposes. And what is God’s purpose? That people would find Him in the midst of their lives, in their pain and struggle, and come to know that they are deeply loved by Him.
What if, like Daniel, God wants to use your story to help others find Jesus? What if His favor can be found in the things that feel like blessings, as well as the things that are really hard? What if He wanted to use all of your life to show up in your story and lead others home to Him? Would you choose today to view all of it as His favor, working to fulfill His good purposes?
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130 thoughts on "Faithfulness in Babylon"
As much as it makes us uncomfortable, as we abandon ourselves to Jesus in every circumstance we find ourselves in, God will show himself faithful to sustain us.
i’ve never thought of considering the hard times God favoring me. This has changed my perspective!
Daniel kept perspective in honoring God, despite his circumstances. We can learn from him in doing the same thing as we navigate life.
“As devastating and heart wrenching as reality can be, it can be God’s favor.” In EVERY season He is sovereign, faithful, and good. Praise God.
Today’s reading was really eye opening for me. I’ve been asking God to help me through a season of feeling spiritually “dry,” and I didn’t realize until now that He is actively doing just that. I’m currently very sick with a mouth infection that keeps me from being able to work or spend time with friends, but I have this devotional and time to lean into God’s word. What a timely reminder.
I have definitely been able to see God’s favor in my life in hard things.
Thank you God for your favor in the midst of all the challenges in my life. I know for a fact this season is causing others to pray and renew their faith because of what you are doing through my family for our good and your glory.
It’s good to be reminded that God’s favor and goodness can remain with us even through extremely difficult times. I feel honored that the devotional author and so many of you have shared your stories of how God met you in the midst of tragedy. I had a miscarriage right at the start of the pandemic. The isolation of quarantine seemed to mirror the depth of sadness as I mourned. What got me through was knowing that Jesus walked with me in it. I still miss that baby and wish they were here, but I can also see how that time helped me experience God’s companionship through mourning. May that companionship wrap you all in a big hug today
Favor is anything His has done or has allowed in your life so that His ultimate purpose is fulfilled in our lives. His favor is above all.
Thank you for sharing! Thankful for this study also. I am back in quarantine for the second time this year and coming into it, my heart was very negative. The Lord definitely softened it and helped me to realize that I asked for this slow period to reconnect with Him. I just didn’t think His favor would mean I couldn’t leave the house. Overall thankful though!
This is such a great reminder that God is always food even when we can’t see and feel it in the moment.
God is good.
Our Heavenly Father is so gracious and Faithful, Thank you our mighty Loving Lord
Help us in out struggles and let us Hold on to your promises and continue our Lives with Your will and purpose… allow us to walk with You in all circumstances…
I rarely start a reading plan on time, so I rarely leave comments, and this comment is days late, for today is Nov 10th. I started reading because it is my husband’s given name, but for his whole life he has been called by his middle name. There is power in the meaning of names & I find it fascinating.
I was so touched by this today and tears welled in my eyes as my heart felt your loss. I too lost my mom suddenly almost 8 yrs ago. I completely understand where you are coming from. It was by far the most difficult thing I have ever experienced, but I too see God’s favor & hand in that loss. Through out that time He kept bringing me Rom8:28, and I still miss my mom terribly. But today I see the circumstances surrounding the loss as the first seeds of what my family is living now. A Rx drug killed her and fast forward to last year, my family has now moved to a different country, opening a Health & Wellness Medical facility with a laser focus on genetics & the fact that we are all fearfully, wonderfully & uniquely made. To God be the Glory. Praying for you, may God continue to show you His hand in all that is before you. 2Cor4:18
OhMyGoodness! I started Daniel out of the sheer interest in the characters that in the Bible. I totally agree with you, I have gotten on my knees and stated to Him “I leave everything to You” and I have definitely seen the great outcome of doing so. Telling Him to trim away unneeded fat in life, to take hold of my finances, and leave me the only things on earth and in flesh I can control has created peace inside of me that I cannot explain. My anxiety has lessened dramatically, I feel fresh, and everything that I cried four or five months into COVID-19 or regarding American politics has been answered. Keep on with your readings and I pray you find peace as well.
I too started this yesterday, on Election Day, as God was telling me all weekend that we needed to spend time in Daniel. And I am so glad I listened. Day 1 made me teary, because God is in control, whether we can see Him or not. In Daniel 1:2, it says the Lord handed over Judah. He gave the nation over in order for His glory to shine and be known through Daniel. It had to happen that way, so God could do what needed to be done. And it took years and it wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t easy. But His righteous ones made it through and I’m praying that for myself, for my family and for all of us who know.
i love your words. thank you
i love your words. thank you.
God has a plan. I had prayed before I started reading my One Year bible and then onto this study for God to speak to me… Well I don’t think I could’ve had more of a neon sign if it had slapped me in the face. It’s Election Day and reading this along with the accompanying verse from 1 Peter, it really allowed me to take a breath and relax to know that God is in control. That no matter what happens I can get through this. My Study Bible emphasized the words “legitimate leader” when reading the explanation of the verse 1 Peter 2:13. All the build up to this election has put in peoples minds that there may be controversy over legitimacy in the election. So as I just got home from making my vote and as the days and weeks ahead come and go, all we can do is pray for grace and guidance and always be assured that God has a plan whether we understand it at the time or not.
May all of you be blessed and comforted today!
Lord how excellent is yoir name
Amen!
This devotional speaks to me! It’s hard to see the blessing in the midst of pain. But God is showing me that there is purpose in my pain! When HE removes people that you love, it hurts! But sometimes it’s necessary as it may be the only way to get your attention and turn back to Jesus so you could grow in your purpose! All Glory to God!
Wow. So deeply encouraged by this reading. So much wisdom and truth. I lost my father this past April. Its been cut wrenching and devastating. As a believer for 18 yrs, this was like a rug was pulled from under me, my faith shaken. This was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you Alena. ♥️
My father passed suddenly when I was 19. My younger sister was 10. It was tough. But now, looking back, I do see that God had a plan and that He works through tragedy. And I also remember that this life is temporary. Often God works in the temporary to the eternal good. This life is but a twinkle. But His factor through it is a blessing.
Usually when people talk about God’s favor they speak of the good things that happen in their lives. Rarely is God’s favor connected to the struggle, but if we count it all as joy and His everlasting favor we might see the mountains and valleys in our lives differently.
This was a good reminder and, honestly, a magnifying glass for what God’s favor truly means.
Wow. It will be 4 years since my mom passed away when I was 20 years old next week. Though I’ve slowly been able to see God’s hand amongst the grief and pain over time, this puts a whole new lens on it.
Such wisdom from one so young! I wish I could have had her wisdom at that age. May God continue to show her and me His favor.
Powerful devotional to go with the reading. Understanding a different perspective of Gods favor is critical to living a life trusting Gods plans are better than ours
I am late in beginning this reading of Daniel, but it has been a blessing to me already. Today’s reading took me back to my own moments of struggle and times when trouble made God’s favor seem far, but it is a reminder of how thankful I am that His favor was present and with me even in those moments. I don’t have a desire for a repeat of the heartbreak, but I do want to hold tight to the favor and the blessings I found in those times when God’s Presence was my very lifeline. Thank you for this beautiful devotional, Alena. It is beautiful to see how God has woven your tragedy and heartbreak into a beautiful story of His favor and work on display.
This was a very timely devotion for me. There are some ppl in our lives that have been talking about us behind our backs. Ripping into our marriage, the way we raise our children and the way our children are living their lives. When word got back to us about it, I was angry. The next morning, this was the devotion for the day. Before I started the devotion, I prayed for God to just take this anger away. 1 Peter 2:12 struck a chord with me. My flesh could have used a “I’ll strike down your enemy” verse. Instead, God gently reminded me that we need to keep on persevering. This whole study has been a blessing.
I’ve been hearing this message/having this conversation many times over the last few months ❤️
Love this! ❤️
This is so true and indeed God’s mercy that we can be given eyes to see, He continues to be at work amidst the hardest times to draw us nearer to Him and use us to draw others to Himself.
My grandma was murdered by her drug-addicted neighbour for money when I was 13 years old. I felt God asking me, what’s your faith mean to you, do you still trust I’m in control and love you? It has become the pivotal time in my life where I went from following my parents faith to having my own and wanting God to use it to draw others. I determined to speak about it to my year 7 friends and teachers so God would use it for His glory. My dad did the same and as a result as a Gideon has shared his testimony and given out bibles to hundreds of ppl who have their own hard stuff they’ve walked or a walking through. God is always at work and never wastes anything. That was 25 years ago this year, now my own family and I share His love as We live and work overseas that every tribe and tongue will confess He is Lord!! Thankyou Alena, May He use you for your generation and all who He brings along your path. Xx
I lost my dad on July 1st from leukemia. He was diagnosed in the middle of February right before covid hit. I still struggle trying to see the good in the loss. But I have to trust His ways and not lean on my own understandings or keep questioning him on why.
You are so prayed and cheered for ❤️
I lost my Dad 6 weeks ago. Sat by his side through hospice. Felt like a helpless little girl age 44. He never went to church with me growing up but he did for 3 months before the pandemic. It hurt to see him go but was greeted by my 4 yr old and my mother when he got to heaven.
Tonight talking to the middle school girls I get to serve they asked how do they find their purpose. This was exactly what I needed to read last night after the conversations we were able to have. Finding God’s favor in every bit of life, especially the hard times. Thankful for this plan right now during these crazy times.
I know that God used my divorce to set me free from an abusive husband and a lifetime of living a lie. The aftermath is hard, and watching the kids suffer is hard, but I never expected to be set free of the lie I was living, without even realizing what was wrong in my marriage. Praise God for His blessings and His unexpected faithfulness!!
I need to rest in the comfort that I bless my husband’s life and his actions bless mine. I must trust it is enough and Is in some way God’s favor.
I was just diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. I pray that God will be able to use me during this time, to help lead others do him. Thank you, Alena, for your beautiful testimony. I may one day look at this diagnosis as God’s favor on my life.
Bought the study book to go with this!Really blessed by the devotional, thank you!
I needed to read this! I lost my mom at 2 years old. I have no memories of her. My dad was 23 years old and a widower with a 2 year old little girl. He struggled at times but he gave all that he could. I lost him very unexpectedly 6 months ago. He was all I knew for 45 years. The pain is tearing at my heart every day, but this puts a little hope in my mind that God must be teaching me something and planning something that will bring me joy again.
Wow am really short of words,i really needed to hear this.My mother passed away when i was 15 and am 21 now,i have been really devastated up to date,i still carry the pain of losing her and that itself has caused me more pain because i can let go of the past but after what i have read am really touched i have a change of heart instead of asking God questions why it happened instead i will take it as GOD`S favor.Daniel experienced favor.Thank you so much Alena Pitts.
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify god on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12
I’m really amazed by daniel’s faithfulness to god and obedience even when he was an exile and could’ve been punished or beaten for not obeying the king. Help me to remember this and obey you in this foreign land so that I can lead others to you, Lord!
“Busy with the blessing of time and perspective…” ❤️
The devotional was truly a blessing
Thank you for this message. I let my mother two months ago. I’m still trying to process the loss but I trust in God and his reasons.
Wow and Amen! This devotional was so inspirational. Words of truth from a 16 yr old that caused tears to flow. A reminder to have faith in all circumstances and to know that God’s favor is upon us no matter what we face through Blessings and disappointments❤️
All I can say is AMEN and God I am ready to be your servant to help lead others to you!
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Amazing testimony. I am praying for God’s favor in this assignment that it will be deleted I don’t want to go there with all that’s going on with my family I’m praying God move on the hearts of my branch managers and God’s will be done.
Wow! What a powerful testimony from the devotional! Thank you SRT! I thank God for the favor he has giving me in my life even when it didn’t look or feel like it. Thank you Jesus.
I loved the comment about a Martha needing to be a Mary I feel like I’m at that stage but don’t know how to slow down. Navigating Covid, being a mom, wife, and teacher is a lot but I have to trust God has prepared me for such a time as this just like Daniel went through preparation as well.
Alena thank you for sharing your story. In 1990 I was 43 my husband left 14 years of marriage, my beloved mother died quickly of pancreatic cancer. I was devastated and lost for several years. I know that I know God was there for me pulling me thru even though I didn’t know if God was with me. I had breast cancer in 2008. I’m remarried I’m 77. I thank God for giving me SHE KNOWS TRUTH. I am,always have been blessed..
I am very sorry about your mom, may God continue to bless you and your siblings and Dad. I knew you through War Room, a movie that I watched countless times and it has blessed my prayer life. I am in Africa and I keep on reading your writing and I realize how God has indeed favored you, Glory to God. May the Lord’s grace continue to favor you all and use you for His Kingdom amen
Wow. Very encouraging today. We were blindsided when I was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer at the age of 29. People don’t tend to understand how I still have so much faith, & peace over the situation. I just know God is fine tuning me, testing me, molding me, & I’ll come out stronger & better because of it. I beat it, but I struggle every day because of it. His plan, not mine.
Praise God that you beat it! Praying His glory is seen through your story as you share with others.
Alena, thank you for sharing the wisdom you have gained from a terrible tragedy. I am sorry for your loss, and I cannot pretend to have the authority to know why God allows us to go through certain things. What I do know is that He calls us to remember who He is and what He has done in the midst of heartache and sorrow, to continue to find His favor in all things, as you exemplify. I pray you (and we all) continue pressing on in the faithfulness of the Lord.
Alena, so wonderful you are and encouraging. I lost my mother around the same time and went through so much uncertainty but God never abandon me. This message today was definitely what I needed to remember as I navigate COVID and life as it is. God took a horrible situation that Daniel and his people faced and used it for His good and for His glory, and He does the same for us. How amazing is the God we serve?! I so badly needed this reminder today that God hasn’t abandon us, He was, He is, and He’s still to come!
God defines for us what qualities he wants us to have and if we would just listen to him and be obedient we might mess some of the bad stuff that we bring on ourselves. 
I lost my father when I was 12 and I have a thought of the special times that we shared in my life. I am so blessed that I had those special moments with him.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Alena.
Keep sharing your stories about the hope of God.
Yes I also thought about Laura Story’s song, but I “Blessings”. The words are powerful and have helped to remind me of these truths through difficult times.
God I know I’m deeply loved by you… you see in the last few months I too have unexpectedly lost my mom my best friend (8/6/20) just days before she was moving closer to me.
Then on 8/30/20 I tripped and broke the very top of my right arm. This last month I have found favor from God. He took a Martha and stopped me in my tracks. I’m now a Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus.
SRT thank you for this next step in my story. May His blessings shine through even the darkest moments.
This is beautiful. As we go through the fire it’s so incredibly difficult. What comes out if we allow can be beautiful. What a testimony you have and are using. So encouraged by your faith. Thank you!
These past three years have been devastating to me mentally but by reevaluating my life on that new perspective I am forever grateful for my struggle, pain, and fear.
I was brought to tears today how wonderful to see God’s working in our lives through this perspective. Praying blessings upon this young lady.
Agree – I seldom post – this commentary has really moved me. Such a wise and beautiful testimony. I lost my mom when I was 15. 40+ years later I am still recycling feelings and issues – but God has brought me to a wonderful life that I hope I can bless others with. Thank you Alena!
Amazing what God is doing in you and witnessing to others.
Thank you Alena for helping this 42 year old life long believer learn something new. Keep growing and using your gifts for Jesus!
Amen!
I enjoy reading the posts daily, but seldom do I post anything, but today’s reading has really hit home with me. Loss of a parent, accident that caused downtime and leaving a job (although ready) not under the circumstances that I would have wanted. God has been with me through it all. He has allowed me to grow in my faith and shown me so much that I would not have recognized had I not gone through these trials. Thank you sisters, SRT and Alena for your testimony and walking this journey together.
Thank you for sharing such a moving and heart-wrenching story of faith. You are a true inspiration to both young and not so young. May God continue to bless and use you as you share your testimony and His Word with others.
Thank you for the reminder I needed that as my anxiety has hit an all time high recently
God can use anything to his glory. I love that you can find his favor even in the difficult as I deal with anxiety avd it’s hitting this passage along with aleenas testimony me of that
Alena, I want to thank you for your testimony! December of 2014 I lost my mom. It was not sudden but agonizingly long. Like your mom she was my best friend. She was the only one besides God who knew me completely. I miss her every day. Having said that, i can see it as God’s favor in my life. You see, I believe I was going to my mom more than God with all my joys and problems. Now God is becoming my best friend and I am so grateful! I still miss my mom very much but I am so thankful God is filling that void.
And Alena if you’re reading this, my mothers heart goes out to you. I am so sorry for your loss. It is very evident that your mother has raised a God-fearing wonderful young lady. Keep pressing forward.
WOW!! I was taken by the heart of this young lady and how us older women can learn from someone as young as her! And please, I am not boasting but my 14-year-old daughter loves to write and writes her thoughts and was going over it with me yesterday. I sent this devotional to her to encourage her that she too can be used by God no matter how old they are. Our young ladies should never be discouraged because of their age God can use them just as God has used Alena this morning 
❤️
Loving this study! She’s 16! I’m a retired high school teacher. Young people are my favorite people!! What a blessing she will be to many people for many years. Just like Daniel.
Alena thank you for sharing your testimony. Loved the movie and had followed your mom. Looking forward to co timid to follow you as you share your faith.
“God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom.” Daniel 1:17
It is encouraging to remember that it is God who grants this wisdom and that he uses people of all ages to bring his palms to fruition. I want to look to the young and old to see God’s plans and to find favor in his purposes.
Blown away by your insight at 16, Alena. Keep moving forward and following Gods will for your life. You are truly making a difference. Thank you for the words today,
Well said! I completely agree
I think in this time and season this perspective of Gods favor is much needed! Thank you for this and your insight, and your ability to share your love for God with us! So powerful! ❤️
Can someone help me understand how to fill put the worksheets, this is my first time doing a plan with the books and I don’t know what I’m supposed to put in the tall tree/ statue part.
Hi Maria! I haven’t filled out that part of the worksheet yet because I think it’s only for when the scriptures are talking about a dream. Do you see the line that connects Dream with the tree/statue area? So far the readings have been narratives- I hope this helps!!
Lord keep me determined to remain faithful to you no matter the circumstance!
Alena, thank you for your words. So good. I loved War Room. God has given you much wisdom. I am sorry you lost your sweet Mother so young. I do know that it has been the hard things in my life that have drawn me closer to the Lord, I have never thought of them as God’s favor, but they have made me more humble and gotten me deeper in His word, and helped me to be more bold in speaking of His incredible peace, joy and love. And, thus in your words it has been His favor on my life and I pray it brought and will bring Him glory. Jesus meets us in the depths and lights up the darkness, brings us beauty from ashes. Praise God for all the good He brings in the storms, the sorrows, the battles. I will be praying for you Alena, His abundance as I know you will continue to be a blessing to many. A Teens Read Truth, could be another incredible outshoot of this ministry. Just a thought. Love to you Sisters, Our God’s mercies are new every morning. Sing loud, He is so worthy.
I was just reflecting on this topic yesterday. I shattered all three bones in my ankle 10.5 years ago. It was during that time of immobility, when I was forced to “be still” that I truly examined my life. Did I like the direction I was heading, etc. I ended a bad relationship and went back to school for both my Bachelors and Masters degrees. My life is nothing like it was ten years ago. I have always believed that God allowed the fracture so that I would stop the path I was on. SN: watching War Room was homework for my husband and I’s pre-marital counseling.
I noticed “Pitts” right away…We thank God for how he’s carried you all not just on a path for healing but, genuine depth and inspiration. I REALLY needed to be reminded of so much of what God used your message to convey today. Praying God continues this work in you and yours. Thanks Alena for being His instrument.
Wow, I am just moved today to read such deep insight from a young woman of 16! It’s beautiful to see the next generation rising up in faith and walking in wisdom. Daniel wasn’t much older when he was taken into captivity, and he too walked in wisdom and deep devotion to the Lord! It’s challenging me to keep going, to keep pressing into Jesus, to keep being intentional about my walk with Him, so that my kids see it lived out, and see God’s favour even in the hard things, so that when they grow, they too will walk in this way, next to Him.
This is a great reading today! So hard to see the blessings in the midst of pain, loss, or tragedy. We were shocked by my mother’s sudden passing 6 years ago, but she had definitely said bluntly a few times prior that she was ready to go home! My memory of her reading her bible early in the mornings, and her loving caring way will always be close to my heart. We never want to lose our love ones, but we have hope that we will all be together in a better world with our Savior! I too love the song Blessings by Laura Story! If you have not heard it I will link so easy peasy to take a listen. I believe the story is she had lost a baby by a miscarriage that brought that song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCjApw_Ticw Another good song for todays reading is Confidence by Santus Real. Confidence to face it all with God’s favor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA9kSBv1QrI
Many blessings to all of you today!
God’s favor is what equips us to bring great purpose from great suffering.
Amen…this is so true and so beautifully stated…thank you!
Beautiful truth!
God rewarded Daniel’s faithfulness. God is always faithful. Do I reward His faithfulness? Do I praise him and go to Him in gratitude?
Beautiful, sweet girl. I’m so sorry you learned this truth in the manner that you did, but so grateful that you have wisdom beyond your years to know He works everything together for our good. Praying that He continues to be near to you.
Favor can be hard to see, hard to find. It there is always Light. His light.
Oh Alana, such a touching tribute. I understand completely. My mother was a very faith filled woman who taught me so much but I walked a separate path until a spiritual awakening 4 months before she died. During her illness and decline she continued to teach me. She died 9 years ago and it has only been about 3 years since my return to Jesus and resuming the faith walk she taught me for many years. As I read your devotion today I visualized our proud mommas looking down and rejoicing. Losing our mothers is so hard for us women. We never get over it we just learn to live differently. Thank you sweet sister in Jesus for your lovely devotion today.
❤️
Wow. I LOVE teenagers, they always blow me away with their incredible wisdom. I’m so thankful for this devotional, Alena is wise beyond her years.
Whatever circumstance, whatever care, whatever challenge comes our way in this life, may we ever remember that God is always ever so near and if we stay focused on Him we will still find a blessing in whatever comes our way.
His amazing grace!
KRISTI L – I meant to say THANK YOU for the reminder about the song, Blessings. I love that song and its message. Perfect for today!
ALENA, I am thanking God for His favor today as I read your words! My heart goes out to you in the loss of your precious mom and I am humbled by your inspirational words. Your insights are such a gift and your mom is still reaching hearts through your testimony. THANK YOU for sharing your personal story here today! God bless you in your work for Him!
The passages today are a great example of how the old and the new testament reflect/support each other. 2 Peter 11-17 reflects the choices made by Daniel. What a powerful reminder and example! Thanks SRT!!!
I needed to hear this perspective. Thank you.
Also, don’t you love when the Bible makes you laugh? I lol’d @ v16 “So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.”
Eat your vegetables.
This is so beautiful, Alena. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. ❤️
What a beautiful devotional. It reminds me of the song Blessings by Laura Story.
“What if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?”
So proud of you Alena Pitts. Been following your story since War Room and so happy you shared your story here of God’s continued favor…even in the midst of our darkest moments. Keep sharing…the world needs you now more than ever.
Thank you!!
Wow so young yet so inspiring to me! Your momma is proud honey and smiling down on you!
What tremendous godly perspective! Amen! God’s favor is God’s favor, which is not always as the world defines favor.
This hit home today!! God’s purpose in my struggles is that I might find Him and know His love. And that’s exactly how I found my way back to Him. Thank you, Alena!
What a wonderful perspective on this Scripture. Especially in the time we are in right now. T his year has been so hard and I’ve been ready for it to be over. I have never thought to stop and think of this as God’s favor.
Alena has Godly wisdom beyond her years and I would definitely enjoy reading more devotionals by her. Thank you Jesus for a young woman of God willing to speak boldly for you.
“Daniel determined.”
From the outset of his exile, Daniel made a non-negotiable decision. He committed to unwaveringly follow the Lord’s commands regardless of his situation or the demands of others. That initial decision drove all other decisions. This singular determination defined Daniel.
What about me? Years ago I determined to follow Jesus. Have I been unwavering? Have I remained committed? Or have I compromised? Has my situation or my personal need for comfort and convenience undermined my initial decision?
Forgive me, Lord!
Today I determine, again, to follow You. Help me to do so faithfully. Help me to be as Daniel. Amen.
I, too, will ask the Lord to forgive me for the ways I have compromised and recommit my decision to follow the Lord’s commands in all things. Praying this will define me.
This devotional is so Biblical…and flies in the face of our comfort-driven culture!! Thank you for the reminder that the favor of God is not found in “ideal” circumstances, but in everything He does for us, His children.
Thank you Alena. If your momma is able to see from heaven, I imagine her thanking God for her precious daughter who is His daughter also. Thank you for blessing us today.
Beautiful
Alena, what wisdom the Lord has given you! Your words reminds me of a message I just heard from R.C. Sproul. He talks about viewing everything God allows as good. What a perspective to have! Here is a link: https://youtu.be/g6UgMDx9rJY
Thank you so much and God bless!
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Alena, Thankyou for sharing. Your story spoke to my heart and strengthened my faith even more. We serve an amazing God! Your wisdom and faith at such a young age is inspiring.
What a lovely devotional.
Thank you Alena❤
You are such an inspiration Alena, you have so much to share, you are truly a blessing. Hold on to your memories and stay close to our Lord.
Beautifully written Alena ❤️ Thank you.
Alena, thank you for sharing your heart with all of us. This was beautifully written and spoke right to my heart…at just the right time. ❤️
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