Is the Coronavirus Frustrating Your Dating Life?
The other day I spoke with a young gentleman who’s happily engaged, but he hasn’t seen his fiancée for over a month because of the coronavirus restrictions.
The two of them live in different countries, which obviously makes in-person visits even harder, and trying to spend quality time together online is difficult because of their work schedules.
Their growing frustration is starting to manifest. They find themselves snapping at each other and saying things like, “Why can’t you make time for me?”
Perhaps you find yourself in the same boat.
A lot of couples are struggling right now—they’re getting tense, making comments that don’t help to further intimacy and understanding, getting uncommonly annoyed, responding in fear, etc. All over the world, people are cranky!
If you’re feeling tension in your relationship, here are a few wonderful things to remember.
1. God has abundant life in store for you.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10 NIV)
You don’t need to expect bad things to happen to you and this person you’re dating. God has good plans for you even when it feels like the opposite is happening. Don’t listen to a spirit of fear or lack where your future is concerned.
Jesus is the Lord of abundant life, and that’s what your future with Him looks like. Renew your mind about your future, and don’t listen to any voice that steals, kills, or tries to destroy your hope in God.
2. God looks on you with affection and favor.
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Ps. 5:12 NIV)
For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. (John 3:16 VOICE)
You are loved. All the time. Without exception. Without change. More than you expect. More than you feel you deserve. The great, extravagant love of God is for you.
Jesus came into the world, died, and rose again so you could understand His plans of love, blessings, and favor. He stands as a shield around you, and your hopes and dreams—including your relationship—matter to Him. Allow Him to protect your relationship for you.
3. Come to God like a child who understands how good their Daddy is.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young. (Isa. 40:11 NIV)
More than anything, I want to encourage everyone reading this article to take a deep breath, let go of the weight holding them back, and run to their heavenly Father with their arms wide open. “Daddy, catch me!” Because He will.
That’s where we’re called to live (in our Father’s arms), and that’s HOW we get to live (with the heart of a child, ready to trust and love Him the way He wants to be loved). We don’t have to be brilliant and experienced. We can be a tiny child who trusts Daddy implicitly.
You can trust Him with your heart and its desires, and you can trust Him to be good. Whatever is going on in your part of the world right now, don’t allow fear or shame to lead you. Let the Lord have that sacred leadership position because He’s kind, tender, gentle, and the best Father you could ever hope for.
4. Keep your eyes on the prize, and pray like your prayers are doing something.
Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward. (Gen. 15:1 NIV)
God’s Spirit lives in the ones who believe—and you believe. The Lord is the direction your heart has taken.
He chose you for such a time as this. He could have planted you at any point on His epic timeline, and He chose to put you here and now. Yes, this time is difficult, but the world is not your lamp in dark places. The Lord sees all and knows all, and He lights up your way.
In this season, you get to be a world changer with your prayers, your actions, your testimony, and the blood of Jesus—the Lover of your soul. (He LOVES who you are!) Pray without ceasing, and expect God to hear you. Entrust your relationship and future to Him. Listen to Him, and let Him tell you what He’s thinking.
As the rest of this story unfolds, you just might find yourself in a better world because you chose to believe and do your part as an amazing, much-loved child of God.
Interested in reading more about dating, relationships, and your walk with God? Here are a few articles on related topics:
For more information on sex, marriage, and finding the person who is right for you, get a copy of Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more. The book is also available in Spanish.