As written and presented by Mary Whelchel

PROGRAM D-6052

Single women tend to become depressed or worried or desperate because of the lack of 'sharp Christian men.' If that's something you struggle with, please remember the basic truth that God has good plans for you. He intends to bring joy and contentment into your life. And he has many ways to do that; he's not limited to one method.

We limit him. We think: Lord, I must have a Christian man in my life. That's where it's at, Lord! Please send me that man! You may find this hard to believe, but God has other ways and means of blessing you and fulfilling you.

I receive many letters from women asking me to pray that God will send them Christian husbands. I find it difficult to just pray, 'God, she needs a Christian husband. Please send.' But what I can and do pray is that if marriage is in God's plan for them, they will have wisdom and discernment in making that decision, and in the meantime, God would be preparing them for that man.

Do you see the difference in those two prayers? In the first instance, we are deciding for God what we think is best for us, and asking him to please deliver soon! In the second, we are admitting our desires and needs, telling him we want a Christian husband, but trusting him to make the right decision.

Most single women don't believe that God can truly make them fulfilled and happy except through marriage. That attitude really limits God's ability to work in our lives. You know, we keep putting the cart before the horse. We don't find fulfillment by filling up our lives with things that we think will make us happy, such as a man. We find fulfillment when we stop looking for it and concentrate instead on knowing God.

Isaiah 48:17-18 says: 'This is what the Lord says...: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.''

When we get to heaven, will we hear God say, 'If only you had relinquished control to me, I had something so good planned for you, but I couldn't deliver because you thought your way was better'? I don't want any 'if onlys' from God. I want to hear, 'You finished what I gave you to do,' just as he told Jesus at the end of his earthly life. I want to hear, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' I'm sure you do, too.

As a single woman, Mary is familiar with the pitfalls that ensnare single Christians. In her book Common Mistakes Singles Make she understands and offers non-compromising, biblical solutions for singles. This week she is offering the book at a special price of $5. Call the ministry at 1-800-292-1218 or go online to www.christianworkingwoman.org to order.

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