The Softer Side of Single: Patience & Trust
Waiting patiently. What an oxymoron, huh? For those of us who want what we want when we want it, waiting patiently is so challenging. And when it comes to something as important as meeting our lifelong spouse, waiting patiently seems completely impossible, doesn’t it?
Except for one thing. Trust. Trust is what makes waiting patiently possible. What do I mean by that? Let me just give you a few tidbits on this topic for today.
Most of us are familiar with Proverbs 4:23 (NIV):
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
And Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV):
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Guarding our hearts is paramount to our walking through Single in a healthy and successful way. It’s when we get impatient with the process that we let our guard down and allow unhealthy relationships to intercept our journey, oftentimes interrupting our personal progress and sometimes even derailing our dreams.
I find encouragement today in the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy. He wrote these words from prison (I think we can all agree his situation was much worse than ours, yes?) …Yet here is what he says:
...for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. (2 Timothy 1:12 NLT, emphasis added)
Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. (v. 14)
I encourage you today… Keep your guard up! And when you grow impatient and feel like letting your guard down in order to speed things along, reevaluate where your trust is. Jesus is able to guard all that you have entrusted to Him: your dreams, your hopes, your plans…
Will you leave your heart in His hands and trust Him?
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord…
Psalm 40:1-4 (NIV)
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Amy
