Uplifting Renewal

“Fortune always favours the brave, and never helps a man who does not help himself.” – P.T. Barnum

What is favour?

Favour is a gift, unearned and often unexpected. It creates doors where there were none, aligns you with people and opportunities, and brings blessing into your life. It isn’t owed or forced. It’s goodwill, approval, kindness, or even preferential treatment that works for your good.

It’s when someone vouches for you, invests in you, or offers a helping hand when you least expect it. And sometimes, favour comes not from people, but directly from God. This is an unexplainable invisible advantage that changes everything.

“A little ‘thank you’ for a little favour is a key to unlock unseen ‘greater favours’.” – Israelmore Ayivor

The gift of divine favour

Divine favour is the “God-factor” in your life. It’s what brings breakthrough when the odds are stacked against you. It opens doors you could never open by yourself.

But favour doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it often follows preparation, faith, and trust. And when God’s favour is near, signs will follow:

1. Unusual resistance and opposition: Before great breakthroughs, there’s often intense struggle. Like Joseph in the bible, who faced betrayal and imprisonment before becoming a ruler in Egypt, you might encounter pushback just before God elevates you. Recognize it, pray through it, and stand firm.

2. Supernatural peace in chaos: Peace isn’t the absence of struggle, it’s the ability to stay calm in the midst of it. As seen in the bible with Daniel in the lion’s den or the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace, God’s presence provides a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).

3. Opportunities beyond your ability: Favour brings chances you didn’t qualify for. Like Moses in the bible, who doubted his ability to lead, God will sometimes call you into places where His power, not your résumé, does the work.

4. Heightened spiritual sensitivity: When you’re walking in God’s favour, you’ll begin to notice His subtle nudges more clearly. You’ll become more spiritually alert to timing, warnings, and opportunities.

5. Divinely aligned opportunities: Doors open that defy logic. Financial blessings, job shifts, relationship resolutions. Favour brings alignment not just for your gain, but for impact on others too.

“Put your trust in God and allow Him to manifest it through man. Don’t rush the process. Because the person you think will favour you, may not be the one God has prepared to favour you.” – Ojingiri Hannah

The benefits of favour

Here are a few benefits of favour to help you appreciate the depth and impact it can have on your life:

• Supernatural assistance: Favour provokes divine or unexpected help. It positions others to go out of their way to support, advocate, or bless you, often without you asking. What seems impossible becomes possible through unexpected interventions.

“God can cause opportunity to find you. He has unexpected blessings where you suddenly meet the right person, or suddenly your health improves, or suddenly you’re able to pay off your house. That’s God shifting things in your favour.” – Joel Osteen

• Accelerated progress: What would normally take years can happen in days or moments. Favour collapses time and fast-tracks your journey. This includes open doors, restored opportunities, or divine connections. Like Joseph in the bible, favour lifted him from a prison cell to the palace in a single day.

• Unusual access and opportunity: Favour gives you access to people, places, and platforms beyond your natural qualifications. It brings visibility, voice, and influence in spaces you wouldn’t typically enter. In the bible, Esther’s favour with the King exemplifies this. In Esther 2:17, the king favoured Esther above all other women, and he crowned her queen in place of Vashti. Similarly, despite the law against uninvited audiences, the King spared her life. Moreover, he twice offered her up to half his kingdom.

• Protection and exemption: Favour can shield you from harm, loss, or danger. It preserves your life and resources, even when others around you are impacted. The biblical account of Noah shows that he was saved from the great flood in Genesis 6. Lot is another example, he escaped the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. These accounts demonstrate that individuals can be exempted from disaster by divine favour.

• Restoration and redemption of time: Lost years, missed opportunities, or delays can be restored through divine favour. God has a way of redeeming time and giving you back what was lost.

“I will restore to you the years the locusts have eaten.” – Joel 2:25

• Unmerited promotion and advancement: Favour promotes. It can elevate you beyond your qualifications, efforts, or expectations. It positions you in rooms where decisions are made and causes others to recommend or choose you. The story of David in the Bible shows the rise of a shepherd boy who succeeded against all odds. He became the greatest King in Israel. (1 Samuel 16:1, 11-13; 1 Chronicle 29:26-28).

• Preferential treatment: You may receive kindness, recognition, or privileges others don’t. People may go out of their way to help or uplift you, without explanation. It’s not always “fair,” but it is favour. In the biblical story of Daniel, he was a Jewish captive living in exile. Despite this, he rose to a position of great influence, serving as Chief Advisor to four successive kings: Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2–4), Belshazzar (Daniel 5), Darius (Daniel 6), and Cyrus (Daniel 10). His wisdom, integrity, and God-given favour sustained his leadership for over 70 years.

“God’s favour can move a peasant from poverty to a palace.” – Gift Gugu Mona

How to attract favour

Whether divine or human, favour often responds to attitude, values, and actions. Here’s how to cultivate it:

As an individual

• Live with integrity: Be honest, trustworthy, and consistent. People favour those they can rely on.
• Show kindness and generosity: Help others without expecting anything in return. Goodwill often comes back around.
• Be humble and teachable: A humble heart attracts grace. Recognize your need for growth and stay open to learning.
• Practice gratitude: Saying “thank you” sincerely shows appreciation and honours those who help you. Gratitude opens doors to greater favour.
• Serve others: Offer value wherever you are, your skills, time, support. Being a blessing to others makes room for you in places you never imagined.
• Stay faithful and diligent: Favour often finds those who stay committed, consistent, and excellent in their work, even when unnoticed.
• Pray and trust God: Divine favour is accessed through relationship with God, through obedience, faith, and alignment with His purpose for your life.

As a business or organisation

• Offer exceptional value: Deliver high-quality products or services that meet real needs.
• Prioritize customer experience: Be responsive, respectful, and proactive in solving problems.
• Be transparent and ethical: Fairness and honesty build a reputation that attracts trust and opportunities.
• Support your community: Give back, uplift others, and align your brand with values people want to support.
• Foster strong relationships: Treat employees, clients, and partners with care and respect. They’re your greatest ambassadors.

Favour, whether from God or humans, is never just for personal benefit. It’s meant to position you to be a blessing to others. It’s both a gift and a responsibility.

Favour flows from alignment with purpose. When you walk in obedience to God, trust His timing, and remain faithful even in trials, you position yourself for uncommon favour.

“For surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favour as with a shield.” – Psalm 5:12

Want to attract more favour in your life or work? Start with how you show up for others, how you carry your purpose, and how much you’re willing to grow. Favour isn’t just about luck, it’s about living in a way that invites it.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold.” – Proverbs 22:1

I’d love to hear your stories. Have you ever experienced unexpected favour in your life, work, or relationships? Share your experiences in the comments below and let’s inspire one another!