God’s Favor… Is NOW!

I was asked to speak to a group of people a couple of months ago. When I received the invitation, I had no idea what I was going to say to them. But as time progressed, I felt the Holy Spirit impress upon me to speak to them about God’s favor. Truthfully, it came to me one night around eleven o’clock, right as I was trying to fall asleep (the Holy Spirit is like that, but He knows I’m a night owl so it’s all good).

God’s Favor
The reason for speaking on this is that God wants us to know that His favor is NOW. God is raising up an army of women NOW. Here’s why… Women are being used, abused, and thrown aside like trash. They are treated as such, made to think as such, and are the victims of many abuses such as verbal, mental, emotional, physical, sexual… women and girls are being sold into human trafficking. They are victims of pornography, prostitution, drugs & alcohol. And God’s favor is upon several woman who have been rescued, healed, or brought out of some form of many of the above mentioned things, and HE has sent them out to give others HOPE. I know. I am one of them.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” ~Luke 4:18-19, NLT

I come from a background where I was constantly ridiculed for my looks, my actions, I was told that my ideas were “stupid” and that I would “never amount to anything.” Verbal, mental, and emotional abuse is what I lived under. I literally lived in a modern day “Hotel California.” I could check out any time I wanted. But I could never leave.

There are many women today who are living this way and God has said, “Enough!” When He healed me in May of 2012, He also gave me the above Scripture as a sort of “marching orders.” Since that time, I have slowly begun to see a pattern in the people He is placing in my path. I have made mistakes along the way, but thankfully God is patient with me and continues to teach me and send more women in my direction for me to encourage with my story of healing.

The day I realized what was causing my issues with depression, I realized that I needed my mind healed from the hurt and the abuse that I had endured for way too long. It was turning point in my life because the next week God literally healed me from the inside out! But not only that, He didn’t leave me at just healed. He directed me to the new path He had waiting for me.

He has a path especially for you, too. No matter your background. No matter your circumstances. God has something in mind for you. He always has. Everything God has planned for you are good. The problem is that there is also an enemy out there who doesn’t want you to find it. And he will do everything in his power to keep you from finding that healing and that purpose. But one thing he doesn’t know is that he has no power unless you give it to him! So, if you are believing the lies people are telling you, the negative, hurtful things that people say and do to you, then the enemy is keeping you from God’s favor.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ~Ephesians 2:10, NLT

My friend Karla Akins*, is doing a Saturday blog post about Strong Girls. She is also one of God’s Warrior Princesses who is diligently working to help others find the purpose God has for them. She is sincerely trying to help girls and women find freedom in healing and helping them discover who God says they are! I encourage you to check out her blog as well and find encouragement.

God has something special for you my dear sisters! Trust me on this, and trust God. You have something special to offer to other girls and women, to give them encouragement and hope that there IS something better out there. Don’t be a victim any longer. God’s favor is NOW. He is waiting for you with open arms.

*Karla Akins is the best-selling author of several historical biographies, novels and more. When she’s not writing, you may find her zooming down the road on her motorcycle or looking for treasure.

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.