Finding Favor In Unfavorable Times

Among the lessons we are learning, one of the greatest is the ability to find favor in unfavorable times. One only has to listen to the evening news or browse the newspaper to recognize that we are living in unfavorable times. The economy is unfavorable. The cost of gasoline is unfavorable. The stockmarket is unfavorable. And - the housing market is unfavorable. To name a few.

Our prayer during these unfavorable times and as we try to sell our home in an unfavorable housing market is - "God grant us favor in unfavorable circumstances." As we've prayed I've decided to look to the scriptures for examples of men and women who found favor in unfavorable circumstances. While there are many there are two that have stood out. I found myself pondering the story of Abraham and Sarah as well as the Women who had been bleeding for 12 years. Here are two lessons we are in the process of learning.

Abraham & Sarah...

You can find favor even when your personal circumstances are beyond your control. God promised this aging couple a son of natural birth. In the midst of the promise it's realization was beyond their boundaries. In otherwords, they were personally limited and the promise was beyond their control. Try, though they may, Abraham and Sarah just couldn't make it happen. Since Sarah was beyond childbearing years and barren it was beyond their physical control. Nothing they would do could physically change this. It was beyond their mental control, thus, smart thinking couldn't change their circumstances. They couldn't concoct a scientific remedy that would produce a child. And it was most certainly beyond their emotional control. No matter how great their desire they couldn't muster up enough emotion to make it happen. Tears or Anger - Happy or Positive Thoughts -couldn't make it happen.

Despite their natural limitations - they were not Supernaturally limited. Recognizing that they were not spiritually limited was their only hope. Scripture tells us that Abraham hoped against all hope. Abraham hoped in God. Abraham had faith. Faith in God and faith in His promise. The result? The fullfillment of God's promise. A baby boy! The lesson learned is - it is possible to find favor in unfavorable times - even when it is beyond our control. It requires a faith that extends far beyond our contol.

The Woman Who Had Been Bleeding For 12 Years...

You can find favor in unfavorable circumstances when all the reports are bad. This woman had been trying to find a solution to her issue of blood for 12 years. By reading and studying the passage we realize that she had exhausted the lineup of available doctors. She had exhausted her supply of supposed remedies. (I encourage you to take time to study this passage and find out just how ridiculous some of these remedies were) The report was bad. After 12 years she was exhausted and still bleeding.

But then one day - she heard that Jesus was coming. She knew that if she could just get to him and touch his clothing (she was unclean and therefore could not actually touch Him according to the law) the report would be good and she would be healed. With great persistence she made her way through the crowd. She touched the hem of His robe and instantly the report changed. It changed from bad news to good news. She was healed! The bleeding stopped! She found favor despite her unfavorable circumstances and despite the unfavorble reports and bad news.

We've recognize that the sell of our home is beyond our control. And, we've learned that the reports around us concerning the housing market are bad. Most importantly we've learned that we can find favor in unfavorable circumstances. Abraham and Sarah did and the woman who had bled for 12 years did. We can and you can too.

Thus - this is our prayer. We hope against what seems to be all hope and contend for favor in unfavorable circumstances. Would you pray this prayer along with us and for us? Your agreement in this important life matter is greatly appreciated.