Yesterday I visited with a young man who is struggling with acceptance: Does God really love me? I know this struggle well. And every time it creeps into my life, I turn to the same place for reassurance, Luke 1:26-33.

I imagine the angel speaking to me instead of Mary, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, David, for you have found favor with God.” And even though it still seems unbelievable (as I’m sure it did to Mary), my fear subsides and my heart opens a little more every time the angel speaks these sweat words of love to me.

Maybe we could all say: “I am God’s favored one! The Lord is with me. I have nothing to fear. God favors me.”