I am writing this with tears in my eyes. Yep, it’s one of those nights. I am feeling sorry for myself. Why am I still single? What is wrong with me? Why is God seemingly withholding a blessing from me? Why do I feel so lonely and discontent?
BUT…Ya know what?…This is what I am gonna do about it:
I AM GONNA STOP.
STOP crying, STOP wondering if I am pretty enough, STOP wondering if I am too boring, STOP questioning God’s will for my life, STOP rerunning old relationships in my mind, STOP trying to figure out what I could be doing different, STOP looking for the man of my dreams, STOP focusing on myself, STOP trying to have my future planned, STOP comparing my life to my married friends, STOP fantasizing about my husband, STOP dreaming about my non-existent children, STOP allowing hurtful comments about my singlness get to me, STOP torturing myself with all this crazyness, and most importantly…
STOP ALLOWING SATAN TO HAVE THE UPPER HAND!
I AM GONNA STOP! Will you?
2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”.
Colossians 3:1-3 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God”.
This post reminds me of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow0lr63y4Mw&feature=related. I sure do wish it was that easy.
But emotions are not that easy to command… I was recently in the same boat (having my own “Hannah moment”) and this post was the outcome: http://surprisedbylove.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/alone/
I hope it is an encouragement and comfort to anyone who feels the same way sometimes.
I choose to stop!!!! Thank you for your encouragement. I love you & I’m praying
Excellent resolve. Remember that God does not withhold good things from his children.
I have to share here that I have had many of those “STOP” reminders for myself during those single years.
The Bible character who encourages me = the Ruth before she met Boaz… when she courageously acknowledged and acted upon her role as the sole bread winner for herself & Naomi… when she diligently and happily greeted every rising sun because she’s getting yet another new day to glean, bring food and provide comfort for her household (of 2 widows).
I told myself that even when my family situation (which as a single, I have a family of one) might be different from other families, it was God’s doing, and because it’s God’s doing, I’ll be contented with it.
Every time when I was crying out in appreciation of the beauty of Spring or Fall (and was groaning about no one sharing those beautiful moments with me), I told God to help me thank Him out loud and be simply grateful for the beautiful scenery alone. I told Him that if I could enjoy the moment without yielding to the concern of my aloneness, I should be able to enjoy beautiful things with my life partner one day — if I ever have one — even if some other issues that are unique in relationship might bother me then.
This is a sharing of me, a bride-to-be, this Spring.
I’m with you! Thank you for this encouragement. I’m gonna stop too!