Favored yet struggling
Have you ever wondered if God really has a plan for your life, considering struggles you go through? Wondered if He is in charge of what is happening to you? Have you ever doubted if God has you back, and your best interest at heart?
Perhaps sometimes you feel all alone and the vicissitudes of life seem to overwhelm you, and your world seem to be caving in on you, God still loves you nonetheless. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.’ -Jeremiah 29:11.
I have got good news for you and that is; God has your back even if it doesn’t seem so to you!
Mary was highly favored and a good woman of faith.
‘And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art HIGHLY FAVORED, the Lord ‘is’ with thee.’ -Luke 1:28.
Even though Mary was chosen to be the carrier and incubator of the baby Jesus, And even though she was favored she had her fair share of struggles;
– Mary travelled in the desert with Joseph in the midst of the desert heat, probably 8 months pregnant for about 105 km, yet she was told ‘you are highly favored’. Many of us would consider that a too difficult to do.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; -Luke 2:4
– Mary had to give birth to her first born miracle child in a manger as every other place they asked for accommodation was full and there was no room for her, yet ‘she was highly favored’.
And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. -Luke 2:7
– she had to be exiled to Egypt so Herod would not kill her child, yet ‘she was highly favored’.
Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. -Matthew 2:13
Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child’s life. -Matthew 2:20
– she had to endure the pain of seeing her son being brutally killed on the cross, by Pharisees and Romans, yet she is highly favored…
And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. -Matthew 27:50
She was favored and nothing could change that. Even in these situations, in what looks like disfavor and struggles, she was still favored and chosen. Struggles and pain are endured by both favored and disfavored alike. What we go through doesn’t change who we are in God. Favor does not give us immunity over pain and struggles. In fact, the most favored by God are the most despised and mistreated by the world.
You are the favored of God, regardless of the situation you find yourself in, despite your pain and heartache, despite being mistreated and disliked. Take heart and trust God!
And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. -Matthew 2:11
Ultimately, wise men are coming to give you what is due to you because of favor upon your life. Look at your doorstep as God has sent favor to your household. Endure for the night, joy comes in the morning. Don’t give up on God and His favor upon your life during the darkness of the night. You are favored, period!
Hunger
