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?
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.