Don’t Believe the Hype!

How many times have you heard these words, “Favor Ain’t Fair”?  Well, don’t believe the hype.  God is a just God and He always plays fair.

See I too used to believe that Favor wasn’t fair, especially because this phrase made me examine the favor or lack thereof that was shown over my life.  It started to appear that I was missing out on God’s favor and apparently I was not on the fair side of it.  How could I be when I am twice divorced, I have no degree, no high honors or awards, and more importantly I experienced so much grief with the loss of my parents and brother?  The fairness of favor seemed to pass me over.

I did not feel like I was on the receiving end of favor.  I would hear people jump up in church and testify how God showed them favor and they bought a house with no money down.  People spoke of how they were promoted with no degree in their field and now they have a six figure income.  Others spoke of God’s favor in their marriages and how He saved them from divorce.  There were those who shouted that God raised their loved ones from their death beds.

All while hearing those testimonies, the message of, “Favor Ain’t Fair”, is what rang in my ears.  Apparently I had done something to set myself outside of the graces of God’s favor.  I began to examine myself and I was sure to put him first in my second marriage.  I worked hard in the ministry and used my time, tithes, and talents for his Kingdom.  I served at every function, fish fry, convention, and celebration.  I was a giver, intercessor, and missionary, yet I failed to feel the presence of His favor.

It was not until God revealed something to me, that He is a just God.  Proverbs 16:11 reads, “A just weight and balance are the Lord’s; all the weights of the bag are His work.” (KJV)  God’s scale is always balanced because His favor is not in houses and cars.  His favor is in the fact that He loved me enough to release me from a horrible marriage of domestic violence.  His favor allowed me to leave school, go home and take care of my mother, and become her best friend before she died.  Favor was rebuilding my relationship with my father and us both forgiving one another in my father’s last days.  Favor was holding my brother’s hand as he took his last breath.  Favor is that God changed my character and I am no longer who I used to be.  Favor is I am in good health and I am the mother of three beautiful children.  Favor is He kept me from buying a house then, so I wouldn’t lose it after my divorce.  Now He is opening up a door so I can buy my own home.  That is the fair favor of God.

Favor is not the same for all people but Favor is indeed fair.  “For God does not show favoritism.” (Romans 2:11 NIV).  God knows and sees our labour and our obedience upon which He rewards us.  Hebrews 6:10 says, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister.” (KJV).

The next time I hear someone proclaim that favor ain’t fair, I will kindly let them know, don’t believe the hype.  The favor of God is just and fair and He rewards those that diligently seek Him.

Deborah Woolard is a single mother of three from Raleigh, NC and she currently resides in Charlotte, NC.  She is an ordained & licensed minister and she serves as the Youth Director at R5 Church.  Her love for writing, especially poetry is one of the many ways God allows her to use her gifts for His glory.  Her poetry can be viewed at https://m.facebook.com/gracefullydsignedbydeborah/.