Are you single and frustrated? Relationships can often be a painful subject. If time is eroding your contentment in Christ or you long to know how to encourage a fellow sister who is growing lonely along the narrow way, tune in as Leslie shares bolstering truth to ground our wayward emotions. For single women who worry that they have somehow “missed their chance” for love and happiness, this episode will encourage you with refreshing hope and Truth.
PODCAST TRANSCRIPT
One of the common causes of frustration and discontentment in today’s Christian women is from their relationship status. Many view singleness as an unfruitful “in-between season” of life rather than as a purpose-filled period of time that can be a sweet sacrifice unto the Lord.
When we look to an earthly relationship or the hope of marriage as the ultimate source for our happiness, we are inviting frustration to begin occupying territory in our heart and thoughts. We must take care not to blame maintaining personal purity for the fact that we’re still single. Purity and faithfulness to the Lord in this area of our life doesn’t lead to frustration, rather buying into the lie that true happiness results from getting married is the reason. Freshly remember that only Jesus’ love can meet the deepest needs and longings of the human heart.
TWO RESPONSES TO SINGLENESS
- Frustration and Discontentment
- Joyfully Surrendering to God
Entrust your desires — for marriage or for another area of life — and ask Christ to fulfill you at the deepest level of your soul. Beware of allowing lies to linger in your thoughts that will turn to discontentment and bitterness.
KEY QUOTES
I’m afraid the snake has been talking to [many of us]. He’s been sneaking up and whispering, “God is stingy. He dangles that beautiful fruit called marriage before your eyes and won’t let you have it. He refuses you the only thing you need for deep personal growth, the one thing in all the world that would solve all your problems and make you really happy.”
ELISABETH ELLIOT
We often set our minds on some one thing we think will make us happy — a husband, children, a particular job or even a “ministry” — and refuse to open our eyes to God’s better way. In fact, some believe so strongly that only this thing can bring happiness, that they reject the Lord Jesus Himself. Happiness is not found in marriage, or work, or ministry or children. Happiness is found only by being secure in Jesus.
CORRIE TEN BOOM
I went away alone to a cave in a mountain [in Japan]. I had feelings of fear about the future. That was why I went there — to be alone with God. The devil kept on whispering, “It’s all right now, but what about afterwards? You are going to be very lonely.” And he painted pictures of loneliness — I can see them still. And I turned to my God in a kind of desperation and said, “Lord, what can I do? How can I go on to the end?” And He said, “None of them that trust in Me shall be desolate.” That word has been with me ever since. It has been fulfilled to me. It will be fulfilled to you.
AMY CARMICHAEL
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you are discontent, the solution will not be found in fixing your singleness. The true solution is found in dealing with your discontentment. Take your life, hopes, dreams, desires and lay them at His feet. In return, He will replace your discontentment with a joyful, peaceful, surrender.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
In their new four-session Purity Summit, Eric and Leslie will refresh Christians with a life-giving, hope-filled vision for true purity and God-centered romance. Join the Ludy’s in-person or via simulcast September 22nd or stream the event through December 13th.
Read Eric’s full blog post on purity here.
