You are fortunate!
Credit: Leland Bobbe/Getty
Football fans—particularly Buffalo Bills’ fandom known as #BillsMafia which includes me—were collectively stunned and horrified while watching Monday Night Football.
The Bills were playing the Cincinnati Bengals in a highly anticipated matchup, when Damar Hamlin, a 24-year-old Bills safety, collapsed on the field. A hush fell over the crowd. Sports commentators were speechless. Bills players were crying, hugging, consoling each other and looking shellshocked. Members of the opposing team offered comfort and prayers.
Damar’s heart had stopped.
It felt as if time stood still while CPR was administered for several minutes. Once Damar’s heartbeat was restored, he was transferred to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition. We now know, according to officially confirmed reports, that the young athlete suffered a cardiac arrest.
The game, which was only minutes into the first quarter when Damar’s medical crisis began, was postponed. Today, the incident is dominating headlines. Understandably, millions are attempting to process this unprecedented occurrence and are hoping that Damar pulls through.
Last night, I sat in bed next to my husband Kenya watching the scary events unfold. We both did what comes naturally to us and interceded for Damar and his family. Many others prayed too.
At once, sports rivalries and athletes’ stats no longer mattered. The national football league and its schedule ceased to be a priority. Around the world, genuinely concerned football fans and non-fans rallied in prayer on behalf of Damar who continues to fight for his life.
This morning, I woke up with Damar on my mind and in my prayers. I also reflected on the fragility of life and how quickly situations can deteriorate. In an instant, our world can be shattered by complicated issues that we don’t know how to address or resolve. Though we wish bad things didn’t happen, sometimes, calm moments turn chaotic in a blink.
This is what happened in Acts 20:7-12. The Apostle Paul was on a missionary journey in Asia Minor, preaching at a home in a city called Troas. Being that Paul was scheduled to leave the next day, he wanted to fill the ears and hearts of those listening with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ—his ultimate mission.
As everyone gathered in a third story room illuminated by multiple flickering lamps, Paul preached the Word until midnight. During the marathon sermon, a man named Eutychus grew drowsy while sitting in the windowsill. He fell fast asleep and tumbled out of the open window, dropping three stories to his death.
Instant chaos.
Paul stopped preaching and rushed to where Eutychus’s lifeless body lay. Spectators watched, as Paul bent over the dead man and held him in his arms. Though it was a horrific and tragic scene, God intervened and used Paul to resurrect Eutychus.
This story has a happy ending. Yet, we are mature enough to understand that not all stories end this way. Though we cannot predict the will of the Lord in each situation, we never stop praying, trusting His sovereignty, and believing for the best outcome.
I find Eutychus’s story to be a tremendous source of encouragement in hopeless situations. It is fitting that in Greek, his name means “fortunate.” No one could argue against the fact that Eutychus was fortunate, blessed, and favored!
And guess what? So are you.
“No matter what it looks like, your season of fruitfulness is not behind you. God has more for you. More blessings. More triumphs. More breakthroughs. More favor than you’ve ever had before.”
After all you’ve been through, you’re still here. Despite numerous difficulties, you are fortunate to be alive. Fortunate to be in your right mind. Fortunate to have overcome impossible odds. Fortunate to have broken cycles in your family. Fortunate to have escaped toxic situations. Fortunate to have risen above all the things that tried to hold you back. Fortunate to be a living example of God’s power to save, deliver, and favor those who love Him.
Consider Leah, the wife of Jacob, in Genesis 30:9-11. She went through a difficult and disappointing season of barrenness. When it looked like her fruitful days were all behind her, through Leah’s surrogate, Zilpah, she and Jacob welcomed a son.
Leah named the bouncing baby boy Gad which means “fortunate” in Hebrew. “How fortunate I am!” she said (v. 11). While it’s true that things didn’t happen when or how Leah thought they would, she still saw God’s hand of favor working in her situation.
Be like Leah.
Friend, I know that you have also faced disappointments and setbacks. Seasons of barrenness, lack, sickness, pain, devastation, and trouble. Even so, speak great things over yourself. Instead of saying that you are defeated, discouraged, and depressed, say that you are fortunate, blessed, and favored.
I’m here to let you know that your season of fruitfulness is not behind you. God has more for you. More blessings. More triumphs. More breakthroughs. More favor than you’ve ever had before. No matter what you have been through in the past, are going through in the present, and will go through in the future, know that God isn’t through blessing you.
All 2023, I want you to declare over yourself the words Leah spoke, which I’m using as the sweetener in your cup of inspiration: “How fortunate I am!”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, confess that you are yet fortunate in unfortunate situations, favored in unfavorable circumstances, and fruitful in seasons of barrenness. No matter what it looks like today, I know that God sent me to tell you that you are still favored, still anointed, and still positioned to reap the harvest of blessings God has in store for you.
Be encouraged.
Now, pray this prayer with me.
God, thank You for reminding me that You have good plans for me even in bad circumstances. Despite what I see, I will speak Your word in faith and declare that I am fortunate. I am blessed. I am favored. And I am loved because I am Yours. Thank You for the good things that are on the way for me as I anticipate them in faith! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
