How to Be Happy and Single

"In Thy presence is fulness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever." Psalm 16:11

I just wanted to add to this series briefly that being single is a happy place for me when I keep my eyes on Jesus and His love and not on others. His love never disappoints. There is so much to learn, study and do in service to Him through service to others that there is no reason to be bored.

When it comes to activities, my heart is not so satisfied from run of the mill activities with other "singles". Some of my loneliest times have been when I have tried to fit in with church groups or singles' groups. It is like going out on a date with someone with no attraction--it is less lonely to be alone.

Yet, as Christians, we are never alone. God lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we have a Comforter who will never leave. No relationship is better than the wrong one. May we have the faith in God to leave anything less than His best, because even when obedience is painful, we have a God who can "sympathize" with our weaknesses and a Savior who went to "a lonely place" to be with the Father in prayer.

The life of a Christian is deep. No wonder God says to take it a day at a time in Matthew 6, for "each day has enough trouble of its own." We have a strength that God supplies as we "wait on the Lord" in every area of our lives. I know that God has shown such mercy on me by NOT letting me get married by now. I look back on the men I have prayed about, and in hindsight I can thank God that He loved me enough to let me hurt a little without them in comparison to hurting a whole lot more married to a man who is not compatible with me.

While I lived in NYC in 2007 I read an article stating that for the first time in American history there were more single women than married. I remember walking in a nice shoe store on Madison and seeing a lovely woman picking out shoes for Paris. She told me she had never been married, and she was treating herself to the trip, going alone. We talked a little bit about men, and I could tell she had given up. I have beautiful girl friends from coast to coast who are Christians and say they may never marry, just like I know impressive women who tell me the same thing who are not Christians. They have just never met a man compatible. The good news is we grow closer to Jesus as single Christians and lean on Him in a more intense way when He is all we have. Romance feels good, but I would rather have strength and maturity if I had to choose and the discipline that comes with learning to be happy on my own. Enjoying time alone and being comfortable within myself has been one of the best gifts God has given me, and I want to guard that confidence. (Galatians 5:1).

"The Lord will accomplish what concerns me." Psalm 138:8

"Glory in His holy name. Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad." Psalm 105:3

"For your Husband is your Maker whose name is the Lord of hosts." Isaiah 54:5