Consider this a how-to guide. A Book for Dummies, so to speak, because, come on, haven’t we all felt like dummies once or twice trying to make it successfully through this life? So much tries to come against you, cloud your vision, and block your path. Perhaps you’ve heard that life is “more blessed” when you follow God. So now you’re wondering, “where’s mine?!” I need that blessing, God. I seek your favor. So where’s it at?!
Without further ado, here’s three ways to find God’s favor.
1. Did you notice that I said “find” God’s favor? I didn’t say “earn” it. That’s a common misconception. It’s probably, in fact, the top obstacle to finding God’s favor. We become blinded by the idea that His blessing is something we must work to obtain. We have to follow all the rules, not skip church, and give our ten percent when they pass the offering bowl. We figure we gotta serve the church to get back a serving of God’s help in our lives. And while a servant heart is certainly a reflection of Jesus, He looks only at the heart of the matter. That’s why scripture encourages you to be a cheerful giver. If you’re just giving for what you’ll get back in return, then your efforts are in vain.
Much like salvation, God’s favor is a gift to us. It’s by His Grace we are saved, and it’s through His love we find peace and rest from the turmoil of this world. We aren’t required to earn God’s favor any more than we are required to buy His love. It’s given freely, poured out like an offering. We only need to open our eyes to it.
So, your first step is remembering that God’s favor isn’t something you have to work for. Instead, it’s your gift.
2. So, if it’s a gift, and it’s there for the taking, then what gives? Why don’t I see it in my life?
I reckon that most of us can’t see it because we’re blinded to it. We’re blindfolded by the world and how it tells us to see. We see circumstances, not God in all things.
I can recall the first time I realized God’s favor despite my circumstances. We were driving back from a water park hours from home when our vehicle broke down. We were hundreds of miles from home, our bank account was almost empty, and we had no idea why the SUV had died. I was pregnant, we had a toddler in tow, work the next day, and no idea what we were going to do. We were exhausted, but as I spread a beach towel on the ground, with some snacks and cold water, I watched my first daughter play, and I realized I felt blessed. Even in this, God was for us. I couldn’t know His ways, but I felt certain this car trouble had protected us from something worse up ahead. And at that moment I looked up at screaming sirens. A line of fast-moving emergency vehicles sped by us, making their way to tragedy beyond what we could see. At that moment I felt God’s favor all around. As smoke billowed from our engine, I felt it. As the sun beat down on us, I felt it.
Being a Christian doesn’t mean everything will always work out perfectly, but it does mean God is in all things. As you surrender your life to Him, He moves to make all things work out for our good. Even the awful things. Even the things where we cannot see a way.
The world would say, “there’s no way through this!”
But God would say, “I got this!”
The world would say, “you are alone!”
God would say, “I will never leave you.”
The world would say, “this is terrible. You’re drowning in this mess.”
Jesus would say, “don’t look at the waves. Look at my face.”
God’s favor is there, remember? It’s ours. You only have to open your eyes to it, and close them to the world. He’s overcome the world already, and as His chosen, so have you.
3. So, what could be left?
You’ve finally understood that God’s favor isn’t something you earn.
And then you realized if you focused your attention on God’s power in your life, rather than your specific problems, you’d more easily see His favor in your life.
So what does that leave?!
Well, how about the definition of God’s favor?
I mean, you won’t be able to find His favor if you don’t understand what it is. So what is God’s favor?
Some people think it’s a padded bank account with lots of zeroes at the end. Or a big house. Maybe some fancy cars. Or even just some financial security, not worrying about making it from payday to payday. And yeah, I guess following God’s principles does help your stewardship of cash flow, but even then, less worry about bills isn’t the epitome of God’s favor. Because God is bigger than the lottery or Publishers Clearing House. He’s got more for you than a humongous, cardboard check.
You see, God’s favor isn’t always something that changes your circumstances, but it is something that changes how you view those circumstances. God’s favor is His spirit. It’s His Divine Glory that rests on you every moment of every day, even when you can’t feel it very well. His favor is His hand on your life, and when His hand rests on you, nothing else matters. So like Paul said, whether you have a little, or whether you have a lot, you are blessed.
God’s favor in your life is having His heart for matters, His eyes to see, and His voice to guide you. God’s favor isn’t being happy all the time! But it is joy despite your hardships, peace in the face of adversity, and faith that can move mountains. Finding God’s favor (that’s there all along, by the way) doesn’t mean you won’t have mountains. But it does mean that through Christ you can do all things. You can move mountains sometimes, and when the stubborn mountain doesn’t want to move, or you’re too tired to climb it, you realize God carries you. You’re already seated at the top, with Christ. The valley is just a ruse, a temporary setback of this world, but true victory is already yours. Now that is God’s favor! You’re a winner no matter what. You’re more than a conqueror. You’re a champion. Jesus has given you victory, not only in this life, but over death as well. For eternity.
So, congratulations. You have found God’s favor. It’s in His blood that covers you. You are blessed! Now all you have to do is walk in that.