Thanksgiving Message for My Single Sisters
Some throwback messages with a current word for all my #SingleSisters this holiday season
This was one of my first ever YouTube videos for Raised to Life on November 27, 2014. Just a few weeks after my radically life-altering encounter with the Holy Spirit in which I surrendered my life to Jesus not just as Savior but also as LORD. (I wrote about this a bit in My {HIS}tory as well as My {RE}birth Declaration).
It's not often spoken of, but Holidays are often hard on the single population. There's a longing in our hearts that is exposed as we see family and friends experiencing a part of life we wish we could engage in as well. We also have a tendency to suppress these feelings, stuff them down, and remain silent to avoid the well meaning pleasantries of our faith-filled friends reminding us, "In God's timing...." The wound remains. Our soul cries are silent to the world and screaming behind the scenes before our Father in prayer. I just wanted to give voice to this reality and let you know you're not alone.
As I've journeyed through this over the years, I want to give more voice to encourage you through it.
Acknowledge
The first step in processing anything hard is to acknowledge it for what it is. There's beauty in acknowledging things for what they truly are...while faithfully believing they won't always be this way. So whether you, yourself are processing something difficult or you know someone that is, the best advice I can give is to acknowledge reality first before attempting to fix, soothe, counsel, encourage or correct.
Be Consumed With the Word
The Word of God is our weapon of defense and is the source of encouragement for every phase of life.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. -Hebrews 4:12 NIV
When you get in the Word, the Word gets in YOU! Allow it to penetrate your soul and spirit, heal your wounds, fill the spaces of longing and bring comfort to the hurting places of your heart. Claim the promises of God and hold them strong in your heart. Write them down and keep them as reminders to encourage you through this season.
Reject the Spirit of Despair & Despondency
Don't let the enemy have a foothold on you. The Accuser, the Father of Lies will often use language to provoke doubt, discouragement, despair, despondency and depression. Learn to discern between his (not-so-sly) lies and the Voice of Truth. The enemy says things like, "You're never going to get married...you're too (fill in the blank), you're probably going to end up an old, wrinkly, lonely cat lady..." etc. Don't take the bait. It will take practice, but learn to identify those lies and, like Jesus modeled for us in the wilderness when faced with temptation (Matthew 4:1-4), we can combat the attack by simply reciting the promises of God found in His Word.
Keep your head in heaven and feet on the ground
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. -Philippians 4:4-9
This may take some intentionality and practice as well. Find what works for you. Consider asking Siri to set a daily alarm to help remind you to pause and ponder your blessings, make a practice of keeping a gratitude journal, or list out 100 blessings you can put in your phone and pull out to reflect on and remind yourself when you're feeling discouraged...whatever works for you...my invitation is to simply find a method to keep your blessings at the forefront of your mind.
Pray as if
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. -Mark 11:24
Come before God in prayer and intercession with a downpayment of praise for the future He's already working out for you! Realize that if you're feeling lonely and longing for your future mate, that same mate is likely lonely and longing for the future with YOU. Pray for your future husband. Lift him up. Know that he's a real, living, breathing human being on the planet that is needing your exact brand of beauty that you've been graced with.
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