Favor Fridays with Tony: The Favor of Restoration – When God Gives Back What You Thought Was Lost

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
May 30, 2025
6 min read

The God of Restoration—A Promise of Hope

Life’s trials often leave us with a sense of loss so profound that we can barely imagine what restoration might look like. Maybe it’s a broken relationship, a shattered dream, financial ruin, or even the loss of time itself. But the good news—the great news—is that we serve a God who doesn’t just comfort us in our loss; He restores what was stolen, broken, or neglected.

God’s restoration is never partial; it’s complete, abundant, and often even better than before. He is the God who turns graves into gardens, ashes into beauty, and mourning into dancing (Isaiah 61:3).

Today, let’s dive deep into how God’s favor of restoration works in every area of your life—and how you can embrace it in faith and expectation.

1. The Biblical Blueprint for Restoration

Joel 2:25—God Redeems the Years

“I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten…” (Joel 2:25, KJV).

Imagine God not only giving you back what you lost but also restoring the time that was wasted. This is a promise that covers seasons of famine, failure, and delay. God says He can make it as if the pain and the loss never happened, giving you double for your trouble.

The Story of Job—Double for the Trouble

Job lost everything—his family, his wealth, his health. But the end of his story shows the heart of our Restorer:

“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job… and gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10, ESV).

God didn’t just replace Job’s losses; He multiplied them back to him. He restored his family, his wealth, his reputation, and his health. When God restores, He does so in a way that silences the voice of the enemy.

The Prodigal Son—Restoration of Identity and Belonging

In Luke 15, Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son. After wasting his inheritance and hitting rock bottom, the son returns home, expecting at best to be treated as a servant. But the Father sees him, runs to him, and restores him fully:

“…Bring forth the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet…” (Luke 15:22, KJV).

The son wasn’t demoted; he was restored to full sonship. That’s how God treats us when we come back to Him.

2. The Favor of Restoration in Relationships

Relationships can be one of the most painful areas of loss—whether through betrayal, misunderstanding, or circumstances beyond our control. But God delights in restoring broken relationships.

Biblical Example: Joseph and His Brothers

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. Years later, he rose to power in Egypt and had every right to seek revenge. But instead, he restored the relationship:

“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” (Genesis 45:8, NIV).

Joseph chose forgiveness over bitterness, and God restored his family relationships.

Application: How to Embrace Restoration in Relationships

Pray for Healing: Ask God to heal the wounds in your heart and the hearts of others.
Release Bitterness: Forgive even when you don’t feel like it; forgiveness is a key that unlocks restoration.
Initiate Reconciliation: Take the first step to restore the relationship, trusting God with the outcome.
Allow Time: Restoration is a process; trust God’s timing.

3. The Favor of Restoration in Dreams and Purpose

Have you ever abandoned a dream because of repeated failures? Maybe you once believed God had a purpose for your life, but setbacks and delays made you give up. Let me remind you: God’s gifts and callings are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).

Biblical Example: Moses

Moses’ dream of delivering Israel was buried in the desert for 40 years. But God restored Moses’ purpose at the burning bush. Even after all that time, God’s call on Moses’ life was still valid.

Application: How to Revive Dead Dreams

Revisit the Dream: Write down what you dreamed of doing before the setbacks came.
Pray Over It: Ask God if it’s time to pick it up again—or if He’s birthing a new dream in you.
Take a Step: Start small, but start. God blesses movement.
Trust the Process: Restoration sometimes looks different than you imagined. Be open to God’s better plan.

4. The Favor of Restoration in Health

Whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual health, God promises to restore what’s been broken.

Biblical Example: The Woman with the Issue of Blood

She suffered for 12 years, spending all she had, yet only grew worse. But one encounter with Jesus changed everything:

“Daughter, your faith has made you whole.” (Mark 5:34, KJV).

Her health—and her dignity—were fully restored.

Application: Praying for Restoration of Health

Declare God’s Promises: Jeremiah 30:17 says, “I will restore health to you…”
Seek Medical Wisdom: Restoration can come through both divine healing and medical help.
Prioritize Rest and Self-Care: Sometimes restoration comes through slowing down and caring for your temple.
Believe Again: No matter how long it’s been, God can heal.

5. The Favor of Restoration in Finances

Financial setbacks can feel overwhelming, but God promises provision.

Biblical Example: David at Ziklag

When David returned to Ziklag and found everything stolen—including his family—he wept until he had no strength left. But then he “encouraged himself in the Lord” and pursued the enemy. God restored everything and more:

“David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken…” (1 Samuel 30:18, ESV).

Application: Restoring Financial Loss

Tithe and Give: Trust God with your finances even in tight times.
Work Diligently: Be a faithful steward of your gifts and talents.
Expect Supernatural Provision: God can do the impossible to restore what was stolen.
Pray for Wisdom: Ask God to show you opportunities and strategies for increase.

6. Restoration of Time

One of the hardest things to get back is time itself. Yet God says in Joel 2:25, “I will restore the years…”

He can accelerate blessings and opportunities so that what seemed impossible can become your new reality.

Biblical Example: Sarah

She waited decades for a child, yet God fulfilled His promise in His perfect time, giving her Isaac.

Application: Trust God’s Timing

Stop Comparing: Your timeline is not the same as anyone else’s.
Stay Faithful: Keep showing up, trusting God’s perfect plan.
Celebrate Others: Rejoice in others’ blessings while you wait for yours.
Expect Miracles: God can accelerate restoration in ways you never imagined.

7. When God Restores, He Multiplies

Restoration is not just about getting back what you lost; it’s about God giving back more. Ephesians 3:20 promises that He is able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

Personal Reflection

I’ve seen God restore things I thought were dead—dreams I buried, relationships I gave up on, even finances I thought would never recover. But God didn’t just bring them back; He made them better than they ever were. That’s the God we serve.

8. Practical Steps to Embrace Restoration

Pray Bold Prayers: Ask God to restore what you thought was lost.
Align Your Heart: Release bitterness, unforgiveness, and doubt.
Take Action: Move in faith even when you don’t see results yet.
Speak Life: Use your words to declare God’s promises of restoration.
Stay Expectant: Believe that God is working behind the scenes for your good.

9. Declaration of Faith

Lord, I believe You are the God of restoration. I trust that every area of my life—relationships, dreams, finances, health, and time—will be restored beyond what I can ask or imagine. I declare that my latter days will be greater than my former, and I receive Your favor of restoration in Jesus’ name!

Conclusion: Restoration Is Here

Don’t give up on what God can restore. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to give you life—and life more abundantly (John 10:10). This is your season for restoration. Trust Him. Believe Him. And watch Him do what only He can do.

Call-to-Action

Are you ready to receive the favor of restoration in your life? Let today be the day you step out in faith. Take a moment to identify the areas where you’ve experienced loss—write them down, pray over them, and declare God’s promises of restoration.

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Together, let’s believe that God is bringing back everything you thought was lost—pressed down, shaken together, and running over!

About the Author:

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr. is the author of the faith-driven superhero novel series S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™. This action-packed saga follows teen heroes Kevin Edwards (Angelo) and Juanita Grayson (Angeline) as they battle demons and discover their true purpose as defenders of light. Order your autographed copies today at www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/shop. Support independent authors!