Does Getting Married Seem Hopeless?

When was the last time you had a date, much less a
relationship? Has life been somewhat of a disappointment
because you never dreamed you would still be single?

Single is a word you've grown to dislike because it
describes a life you wish was someone else's. A life that
seems normal would be one with a husband or a wife,
children, a house and maybe a dog and a cat.
Today I have a cat, but still no husband. I'm in my
forties but my life is far from hopeless. Have I gone to
all the wrong places, broken all The Rules (as the book
suggests) and simply missed it? I'm sure some would say,
"She's too picky, She's not getting out enough, She can't
expect him to appear on her doorstep."
Whatever the reasons, is it my fault? I'm choosing to
believe that God is still in control of my life.
Certainly, single or married we are to be the very best in
every area of our lives. Keep striving to look your very
best, be your very best, and live your very best. Don't
settle for less. Don't settle at all. Try not to worry
about your age. I must admit, this can be challenging at
times. Don't let your age cause you to do something you
regret.
You've probably heard horror stories about people who have
said, "I just couldn't wait any longer. But now I know
I've made a horrible mistake rushing into marriage."
Who likes to wait? I've never heard anyone say, "I love to
wait." Have you? Waiting at times can drive me crazy. I
don't like to wait in lines, wait in traffic, wait for my
food to cook, or wait to purchase things. But waiting is a
necessary part of life. We're an instant society and we've
grown to expect things when we want them.
But God says to wait on Him. "Wait for the LORD; be
strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" Psalm 27:14.
Frankly, a strong majority of folks don't want to wait on
God much for anything. God says we're to wait to have sex
prior to marriage (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7). How many are
doing this? Not many. God says we're not to marry an
unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14). How many are waiting for
a godly mate? Not many. God says, Wait on Him and His
timing. So why don't most people wait … because waiting is
hard?
If you're not careful you can either choose the wrong mate
or live life in utter frustration and despair. In all your
waiting don't give up on God. I've gotten a number of
e-mails from people who have become bitter, angry, and
very mad at God. I understand completely, but you must
begin to change your thinking.
If you're single and feeling God has forgotten you, what
are your options? It's profoundly simple. You have only
one choice: trust God or don't. I'm not suggesting that
anything about this is easy. It's not. I've been there.
You feel terrible. You're not happy where you are and you
would like a change. You cannot base your life on what you
feel. You feel lousy. You're not happy and you would like
to be married, plain and simple.
Will you continue to feel lousy or will you put your trust
in God? Hang on to the truths from God's Word, not the
lies from the evil one. Lies that tell you you'll always
be single. Lies that whisper in your ear and in your heart
that you cannot be happy without a mate. Lies that haunt
you and tell you that your life is hopeless because you're
single. What kind of life is that anyway? Lies. Lies.
Lies. …
The true and living God gives us reason for getting out of
bed. His refining process can be very painful. He uses
trials so that we will put our trust and our hope in Him
alone, not in someone else. I urge you to choose to be
better not bitter.
Hang on to these words …
Trust …
"God causes all things to work together for good to
those who love God, to those who are called
according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Divorced, never married, widowed, whatever the
reason for your singleness, you can trust God that
He can use you where you are today for good.
Hope…
"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his Word
I put my hope
(Psalm 130:5).
He is your only hope. Cling to His Word. Don't give
up. Don't lose heart. Don't waste any more time
feeling sorry for yourself. Live for today; live in
the moment. I love what Jim Elliott said, "Wherever
you are be all there." Too often many singles miss
life, simply waiting for the day they'll get
married. You're missing too much life if you're
doing this. You've been given a purpose. You've been
given gifts. You've been given life. Live it. Live
it believing God for the impossible, for His best.
Believe…
"Jesus looked at them and said, `With man this is
impossible, but with God all things are possible'"
(Matthew 19:26).
Will you ever get married? Is it hopeless? Absolutely not.
Nothing is impossible with God. No matter your age, your
situation, your fears, trust Him. Put your hope in Him.
And believe Him moment by moment, day by day. Joy will be
back in your life as you continue to walk with Him,
believing He knows what's best for your life today.

-------------------------------------------------------------