Still Learning

Jeremiah 31:2 This is what the Lord says: "The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel."

I am really fussing with the word favor these days. I understand the point of suffering quite well, but to be in the favor of God is something that is hard for me to grasp.  I think it has to do with verses like in the new testament where Mary has found favor with God and her life gets messy. I know that God is the giver of all good things, but it is hard for me to understand that fully for some reason.  I know I have been given many good gifts and I have been kept from some horrible things, but I don't know that I would qualify that as "favor". Favor seems to be something altogether different. It is God choosing to pay particular attention to someone or something. It appears that when His favor rests on someone, He draws very, very near with specific attention and time. I'm still learning about it, and I'm kind of frustrated with it.  I need more time with this one.