Favour is an Inside Job
[Part 3, Chapter 21]
Life is full of challenges. Sometimes those challenges come as the consequences of poor choices we’ve made. Other times, there are circumstances we’re called to face, and we don’t feel up to it. Then there are situations that just appear to be beyond our control.
While the challenges themselves may not be of our choosing, we do have a choice as to how we respond.
We can either magnify what has happened externally, or we can address the challenges by responding internally.
Favour is an inside job. Favour is released into my whole being. It is received internally and applied to my heart, spirit, soul, mind, imagination, will, and my body.
My choice is this: I can either look at the challenges before me through the mindset of fear that leads to worry, or the mindset of favour that releases wisdom.
In other words, I can either react, or respond.
When I react, I’m magnifying the negativity of the events I’m surrounded by.
When I respond, I’m magnifying the favour I’ve received, and I’m then applying that favour to the situation I’m in.
Worrying rehearses. It goes over something again and again.
Favour releases.
Responding, not reacting, puts us in the position of receiving that leads to releasing. Father God has so much for us to receive in the face of worry. That means we can release it to him.
When I’m watching my favourite TV program (mostly recorded so I can skip the ads) and Julie wants to say something, I quickly hit the pause button. Then I’m free to focus on her without distraction.
You get to push the pause button on worry. Worry is a disruption. It stops you focussing fully on what you’re called to.
Pushing the pause button on worry stops things for a moment to allow you to regather your perspective.
As you sit and wait, Holy Spirit will align you with the perspective of Father’s favour. Worry and anxiety, negative stress and pressure—these stop being your boss. The worry doesn’t have the opportunity to intimidate you any longer. It doesn’t produce fear, because you’re waiting and looking to see the view your heavenly Father has on this, and what gifts he is going to release in you to face it.
It’s an inside job. You go inside to see what God’s take on the situation is.
The challenges may remain worrisome, but your starting point is not worry.
You see Father’s perspective from the position of favour. You respond to your circumstances from the standpoint of sonship. You face whatever is before you with the disposition of someone whose identity is rock solid.