Part 1 – Favor with Difficult People

I’m starting a multi week blog series called, “Can You Identify?” I’m pretty excited about it because during these weeks you’ll find some type of identity within these blogs and what you can do to become, “more like Jesus” through it. As I read through the bible I find that there are many different people, stories, and situations that are experiences that I can identify with. The experiences I see in the word of God are way more extreme than anything I’ve experienced, however, the principles can be learned and applied regardless. The same applies to you as well. While we may never have to go through what others have gone through, we can avoid a great deal of heartache and pain if we learn from others bad experiences.

This week I want to talk about how to live your full potential under bad leadership. The biblical narrative will be from the life of David and his colorful relationship with King Saul. This is a place I think most people can identify with. Whether you’ve worked for a terrible boss, an insecure leader, or have been under a self-serving pastor on a church staff, at some point you’re going to be under someone who has the ability to make your life difficult. The one thing we have to keep in mind is that God has complete control over our life. He cares about us and loves us so He will allow certain things, even bad things, to happen to us in order to shape us into what He’s called us to be.

So what do you do? How do you fully thrive and at the same time, survive under bad leadership? Check out these thoughts and let’s see if they resonate.

1. God will put a force of favor in your life.

“Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 18:3 NKJV

Let’s catch up on the story here… David started working for Saul as a musician. Then David killed Goliath and just after that David and Jonathan, Saul’s son, become best friends. God knew that in a short time coming up, things were going to get rough for David because of Saul, so God placed Jonathan in David’s life as a force of favor. Favor shows up when we need it. David will soon need God’s favor! God has placed a force of favor in your life while under bad leadership. Whether it’s a co-worker or someone else, God will use someone for your favor. That’s just how He works. Someone will be on your side working for your best interest.

2. Pure motives lead to God’s favor.

Then Saul said, “Thus you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any dowry but one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’ ” But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. So when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to become the king’s son-in-law. 1 Samuel 18:25-26 NKJV

So, Saul’s insecurity has grown to the place that he hates David and is trying to do everything he can to undermine him and have him killed! Have you felt like that? Like everything you do is undermined and someone is always against you? I have! Look at David’s response. Instead he looked at the bright side. He looked for the opportunity in the set-up. Sometimes a set-up is an opportunity for a step up!

When you honor God, He will honor you. Keep your motives pure and your heart purer!

I’m going to stop for now on this post but I have many more thoughts that I’m going to share on this subject next week. Stay tuned!