A Good Reminder for the Discouraged (and Single) Heart
Photo by Bayu Anggoro
Here at Becoming the One, Salomé Roat—our founder—just celebrated thirty years of marriage with her husband, Leon.
[Congratulations, Salomé and Leon! Read their letters to one another here.]
One reason their marriage works so well is that they BELIEVE a happy, successful marriage is possible.
For some of us, a good marriage seems as far away as the moon. We just don’t have the faith for it. Because of past pain and the broken things we’ve experienced, a truly wonderful marriage seems impossible.
But there’s a problem with that mindset. The problem is, you and I are the children of a God who does impossible things. Every good gift is from Him, and He delights in showing mercy—which is often a good thing we don’t expect!
God wants to heal us in the areas where we were wounded and think no good will come.
It’s Time to Throw Open the Door to Hope!
Let’s take some time this week to remember who He is and purposefully leave the door open to the “impossible” things He might want to do in our lives.
If you feel discouraged about marriage or anything else today, carefully go over the following points. Write down any thoughts that stand out to you, and pray about them over the next week.
If You Feel Like Only Bad Things Happen to 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)
Your heavenly Father is the God of abundant life. The enemy steals, kills, and destroys—but God is the Life Giver. So you will get to see His abundance in your life over and over again.
The abundant-life prayer: Father, I declare that John 10:10 is my story. I know You have abundant life planned for me. Please teach me how to think Your “abundant” thoughts.
If You Want to Give Up…
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (John 11:40 NIV)
There’s a realm of our relationship with God where we will see His glory IF we choose to believe. John 11:40 implies a need to watch over our thinking so we will see His glory. Sometimes it’s really easy to focus on other things and accidentally let our trust in God slide. But His glory is always there, even in dark times, and it’s waiting.
The glory prayer: Father God, I want to see Your glory. You are the desire of my heart. I choose to believe what You’re saying to me.
If You Feel Discouraged Because Things Are Taking So Long…
Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah. (Gen. 25:20 NIV)
Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. (v. 21)
Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. (v. 26)
Some of the things the Lord does take time. We don’t always know why, but we can trust that the wait will be worth it. God had a good plan for Isaac and his wife, Rebekah. For whatever reason, that plan took a long time—but in the end, the waiting didn’t ruin anything. They had their kids, and the plan of the Lord continued. God knows what He’s doing, and He always does good things.
Activity: Spend time with the Lord while listening to “Take Courage,” a song from Bethel Music.
The courage prayer: Father, I choose to trust You with this deep desire of my heart. I am waiting for my spouse, but I am waiting with great hope and trust in You.
Interested in reading more on this topic?? Check out some of our other articles:
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.