A dear friend was finally on what she thought was the path out of a long period of singleness. She had met someone new at her church, and things seemed to be progressing well. He was following the steps that her pastor had taught—pursuing her with genuine interest. He called her almost daily, checked in frequently, and planned thoughtful outings on the weekends. But after a couple of months, everything changed. He decided he didn’t want to continue the relationship, leaving my friend deeply hurt and confused. She confided in me that she was terrified of returning to loneliness, a fear that made her feel incredibly vulnerable.
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” This verse holds profound meaning because it speaks directly to the pain of shattered hopes. Many of us have felt the sting of believing we were finally on the path to the marriage we’ve dreamed about for so long, only to face disappointment when things don’t work out as we had hoped. It’s a crushing blow to our hearts when we envision a future with someone, only to have that vision abruptly end. In these moments of deep hurt and confusion, it can feel like our dreams have been shattered and our spirits have been broken. Yet, Psalm 34:18 reminds us that even in the midst of this heartache, God is near.
Grappling with the need to keep our faith while our minds are racing and desperately searching for inspiration to lift our sadness, finding peace can be incredibly challenging. During these times our hearts and minds wrestle with the weight of disappointment, making it hard to hold onto any hope. We long for something to pull us out of despair; the promise of a new relationship, the beginning of a new chapter, or a light at the end of the tunnel inspiring confidence that loneliness is a thing of the past.
God did not cause our pain and disappointment, but He certainly knew it would happen. The psalmist reflects this in Psalm 139:1-4 (NLT): “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.” Our Heavenly Father doesn’t ever want us to be disappointed. This is why, even when it’s hard to see, we can have confidence that the path we’ve always dreamed of is never lost to us.
He said in Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” We haven’t left the path of God’s purpose and blessings. He’s strengthening us while we’re on it so that our vision and faith are sharper. Not only this, but our endurance has to grow as well. James 1:12 (NLT) tells us, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” As believers who love and trust God, we have no other choice: our mindset and attitude must be one of remaining steadfast, confident that every challenge is refining us for the greater reward God has promised.
Don’t let the disappointment and heartache you may be experiencing now hinder the blessings that are sure to come. God’s promises are steadfast, and your endurance is not in vain. Stay faithful to God and let your purpose in Christ guide you through these times. In the end, your perseverance will be rewarded with the fulfillment of your heart’s desire, and you will find that the journey, though challenging, leads to a place of God’s exceedingly abundant blessings and grace. ■
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.
“On the Path You’ve Dreamed About” written by Kim Times, edited by Rev. Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. 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.