Isaiah 40:31(NLT)
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Whether we choose to believe it or not, our heads always know when enough is enough. But our hearts might tell another story, and often this is the story many of us listen to. Even though we’ve been going through it with the significant person in our lives, and all signs point to letting it go, many of us hold on to the relationship. Deep down, we know that marriage isn’t going to happen. We’re emotionally exhausted and very disappointed with how things are turning out, but we still tell ourselves that what we have is better than being alone. This isn’t what God wants for us, and we must have the courage and faith to want better for ourselves.
Colossians 3:15(NLT) tells us, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Peace is a state of mind that isn’t based on our conditions or circumstances. It’s based on our obedience to submit to our Heavenly Father totally and completely, so that we allow His peace to rule us. When we’re committed to live in God’s peace, we very consciously kick chaos and confusion to the curb and allow His peace to have centerstage. This is the place where we will receive the clarity and wisdom to make good judgments.
Many of us have been praying for the man God will send. When a man shows interest and seems compatible, some of us think this is the one. 1John 4:1(NLT) gives us a bit of wisdom about how we should approach this kind of situation. It says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” To try the spirit is to test the spirit. It’s to abstain from hasty judgment and assumptions about a prophet until you can discern whether this person is sent from God. It’s to be patient until the Holy Spirit gives us this discernment about who or what is standing in front of us. In other words, we cannot assume the person is who they say they are until God confirms it for us.
The exact same principle is required for discerning whether the man we’re in a relationship with is the future marital partner that God has sent. Too many of us jump to conclusions and leap into love with a man without a greenlight from God. Make no mistake, the enemy knows when our propensity is to forgo vetting from the Holy Spirit, and instead jump right in. The devastation this unwise and preemptive move causes can set us back in our relationship with our Heavenly Father, and that is exactly why the devil sends a trick.
Jesus Christ taught us in Matthew 6:33(NIV), “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Some of us have this backwards. We’re seeking the man first, and then asking God to add blessings to our disobedience. This is not a workable strategy. God wants us to turn this around and realize that He wants the absolute best for us all the time, and He is committed to giving us the best. This includes great relationships, plenty of money in the bank, a great job, blessed children and a happy family life. These are all a part of the more than abundant life that Jesus Christ made available, and we can have it because God says we can.
There’s nothing more disappointing than having hope in something or someone, and then all of a sudden, things fall apart. Proverbs 13:12(NLT) tells us, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.” Many of us have seen what happens when our hope is not anchored in Jesus Christ but anchored in someone else. But dreams come true when we recognize that Christ is our hope, and he never disappoints. He tells us that seeking God first is the way to be blessed. This means that intimacy with our Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus should be the number one priority in our lives. Our focus should always be on pleasing God and being the ambassadors for Christ that God has called us to be. When it is, we won’t be tricked. Instead, we’ll let God confirm the man that He has sent. Then, we’ll have faith that He’s given us the best for our lives, and none of us should ever desire anything less.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.
“Let’s Not Desire Anything Less Than God’s Best” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2022. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.