Wrinkle-free Wednesdays
Guest post by Lisa Powell
I recently read an online article regarding reasons to enjoy singleness from a major women’s magazine and it almost left me depressed. There were one or two decent recommendations on the list but overall I think the article left much to be desired. Now I always try to view things from a positive perspective, so after reading it I thought this has to be one of the greatest witnessing tools to draw non-Christian singles to Christ because as a Christian single I have much better reasons to enjoy singleness.
It was a secular magazine so I wasn’t expecting anything very inspirational but I mean, is “eating what you want when you want or running errands without dead weight” really a huge plus for singleness? Oh and please don’t forget my favorite from this list, “you can be the good aunt”. Are you kidding me? Is this suppose to cheer me up and help me “enjoy” being single?
I would like to respectfully request a bit more time, thought and consideration be given to encouraging singles. So with this article in mind, I would like to submit a few reasons that I pray will be a bit more uplifting for the Christian single.
- Get to know yourself – Singleness provides a great opportunity for you to get to know who you really are and learn to be true to yourself. So often in relationships we try to impress others and become who they want us to be, but the lack of a relationship can help you discover and focus on who were created to be.
- Discover your worth – Every Christian has been given purpose and is highly favored by God. Singleness allows you to discover who Christ says you are without distraction.
- Develop strength & courage you never knew you had – Being alone can force you to discover strength and courage because you are stretched beyond your natural ability when you are forced to do things for yourself.
- Learn not to depend on others for happiness – When you’re in a relationship it is very easy to unfairly expect the other person to make you happy. However when you’re single you must be a bit more creative and discover other ways, such as a hobby to find happiness.
- Freely serve others – Singles are given a unique opportunity to serve. Without the primary concern for a spouse, singles are able to respond wholeheartedly to meeting the needs of others. And this level of service can also provide joy and fulfillment during this season.
- Develop community – Singleness allows you to develop a true sense of community. When you’re alone you tend not to push people away so easily and you learn to overlook minor faults that are easy to avoid otherwise.
- Get to know Christ unencumbered – Last but certainly not least, you can get to know Christ for yourself and allow Him to grow you in ways that you never even imagined. By learning this in singleness, you bring a whole person with a lot less baggage into your marriage which helps to form a solid foundation for a good Christian marriage.
Not only will each of these reasons allow you to enjoy singleness, but they will also serve you well in marriage. If you are not yet a Christian and struggle with singleness, know that there is a purpose for your life. And there is much more to look forward to than being less lonely (yes that was another item on the list). You can not only look forward to eternal life in heaven, but also have an abundant life here on earth.
“…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10 NKJV
This is not an exhaustive list, so feel free to share any other reasons that I may have omitted.
About the Author
Lisa is the creator of www.the-christian-single-woman.com, a website dedicated to helping Christian single women lead fulfilling and whole lives during their season of singleness. Though singleness is not a desired state for most, she is a firm believer that it should not be a season of depression. As a Christian single who has endured many ups and downs in singleness, her heart’s desire is to be a voice of encouragement for Christian single women to remind them they are not alone, they have not been forgotten and most of all that they are loved by Christ.
If you’ve enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy these other Wrinkle-free Wednesday posts:
What to do during your season of singleness
Overcoming broken-heart syndrome
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Kiesha holds a Master of Arts in English, is a writing instructor and blog consultant.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Kiesha . Kiesha said: Real Reasons to Enjoy Your Single Status http://goo.gl/fb/ewfUh [...]
I think the reasons from the referenced article are great pluses to being single, but yours are definitely well thought out as well.
.-= Ms. Freeman@Baby Steps of an Internet Entrepreneur´s last blog ..Get out for a Date Night! =-.
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As I’m slowly crawling towards being single again, I can’t help but be excited. I love being single and I love being in a relationship. I do need to work on the community.
Whether I’m single or not I have a problem asking for help. Partially because I don’t think people will help. I feel like I may be estimating how close we are and ask for too much so I’d rather figure it out on my own.
I’m working on it.
.-= adrienne´s last blog ..Swagbucks, Free Music, and Why It Pays to Click =-.
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Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by krenee76: Real Reasons to Enjoy Your Single Status http://goo.gl/fb/ewfUh...
Hi Ms. Freeman and Adrienne,
Thanks for commenting!
As to the comment regarding community, most people don’t have a problem helping others. And what’s the worse that can happen? they say no and you’re no worse off than where you started. However, try looking at this from a different perspective and allow others to be a blessing to you.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Christian Single Woman on Facebook =-.
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Very well informative. I like your views regarding the matter. Being single is a blessing for those who waits for someone special but it’s the best time for them to know more of themselves and serves other especially the Lord. The author is really great for emphasizing such ideas.
.-= melody@easter eggs basket´s last blog ..Contact Us =-.
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Thanks Melody! I for one can say I have learned a lot about me as well as Christ during my season of singleness.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..The Revised List =-.
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Being single isnt all bad.it has its good points.like everything.
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Being single is not a bad thing, we are free to do what we want without depending of the other and we can take time to know ourselves better.
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thank you for sharing, i love being a Christian single because you learn just how much you need God. You get to know Him your friend, father, husband,Lord and much more!! Stay blessed.
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“…Learn not to depend on others for happiness – When you’re in a relationship it is very easy to unfairly expect the other person to make you happy. However when you’re single you must be a bit more creative and discover other ways, such as a hobby to find happiness…”
I appreciate all your angles and your perspective. It was a pleasure reading your post. I mention this to all my kids. I also mention it to their friends. If you don’t find happiness within, Then you won’t find it in others.
Thanks.
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There can be always times when you’re single because of circumstances. And yes, the better approach to deal with those times is to accept being single and to be positive about it. But ultimately, I believe that every human has the deeply felt desire to be in a loving relationship.
All of the reasons that are outlined in the post that allow you to enjoy singleness hold true as well for allowing to enjoy a partnership. I hope that there is no misconception that getting to know yourself, discovering your worth, etc. is only possible as a single.
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