When You're Tired of Being Single

Confession time: I was so tired of waiting that I started doing dating apps. I would tell myself when I was younger that I would never think of doing so until I found myself signing up and making multiple profiles. One after the other, when one dating app didn't work I would go to another hoping to find at least someone decent, someone worth of my time.

I probably tried every dating app there was. But I went on these dating apps out of loneliness even though I knew that wasn't what God wanted me to do at the time. I would go on dating apps knowing in the back of my mind I was wasting my time. I heard God say, "why don't you trust Me?" "Why are you uncovering yourself when I'm trying to protect you?" That alone convicted me to delete my account and the app all together.

I was frustrated. I was upset and disappointed. At times I felt as if I couldn't trust God because nothing was going my way (catch that). I was tired of feeling good and content one week and the other week I let my emotions get the best of me. We all have those days, no doubt. I asked God why do I always feel like this and He gently revealed to me that my ability to trust and wait on God in my singleness was an area I had yet to surrender to Him. Deleting the apps made me realize that it wasn't that I was afraid of trusting God, I was afraid of loosing control.

Let me burst your bubble like God burst mine: with trust comes complete surrender. It's not that we can't trust God, it's that we're afraid of loosing control. Truth is, we're not in control, (I know I burst your bubble again without warning, I'm sorry). When we realize that we're not the ones in control but God is and that God's timing is perfect, that's when we begin to see how much of a blessing it really is to be single.

It's normal to be tired of being single and waiting, but whatever you do or however you feel, don't stop waiting.

Let's be honest, there will be times when we ask the question, "God, when will it be my turn?" There will be times when it feels like you're being passed up or overlooked. There will be times when the wait will feel long and as if your desire of ever being found by that great man are slim to none. Focusing on the longevity of your singleness season takes away the focus of the beauty in your singleness season. There is still purpose in your single season. God wants to you to enjoy your single season before He invites someone else to share your life with you.

Seeing others in a relationship, get engaged, married, made me impulsively get on dating apps without God's approval because I thought that I was running out of time and that being in a relationship was where I should be. But really, I was uncontent and it just isn't the right time for the season. Sometimes being single and waiting can make us feel as if we're overlooked, but the truth is, you're under His protection. It may not feel like it at times but being hidden by the Father is the best place to be in. Sis, don't run out of His protection. You may not like being hidden, but He has you hidden for a reason. You are hidden but not forgotten; you are valued and treasured. Like a gift reserved for the recipient, until it is time to be given, it is hidden and protected.

You're not tired of being single, you're tired of feeling lonely.

Our emotions make terrible masters. I know your heart desires to be held by someone. I know your heart desires to be found. I know your heart desires to be in a relationship with someone who loves and deeply cares for you. Don't compromise your worth because of moments of loneliness. Feelings of loneliness are temporary. Don't rush ahead of God out of impatience, instead trust the pace that He has you on. Learn from where He has you now and enjoy the time with just you and Him. Remember that no one will love you and pursue you more than Jesus already has and always will.

Darling, let go of your grip on this season and hand it over to God. I challenge you to ask the Lord to examine your heart and ask yourselves these questions:

• Am I afraid to trust God because I don't want to lose control?

• Am I tired of waiting or am I just feeling lonely?

• Do I really trust God with my singleness and the love story He has for me?

• Am I truly content in Jesus or am I dependent on a man to validate my worth and value?

Surrender and let go, and be honest with your heavenly Father. Allow those feeling of loneliness to invite in the refreshing love and comfort of God. Cast all of your cares onto Him. God knows and understands how you feel, but He also knows what you need. If God can meet your needs in this current season, He can and will meet your needs in a godly pursing man in that right season. I pray these words from my heart encourage you to don't stop waiting but to cling to Jesus even tighter and trust Him with your thoughts, feelings, and desires.

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Dear Father,

I thank You for my singleness season and that You're using it for good and to advance Your Kingdom as well as the woman reading this. I pray that the women reading this would be encouraged. Help her to see Your goodness in her current season. Help her to know that she is loved and valued by You so much that you're willing to protect to her from entering head first into a season she's not ready for. Help her to release her grip on control so that she may trust in You fully. May she trusts that You have her best interest at heart and that in due timing, You will fulfill every need and desire of hers. I pray that she would be reminded that all her needs are already met in You Jesus, that You are enough. May her cup be filled and satisfied. Remind her that You are hiding and protecting her because she is a gift for the wonderful man You have for her as well as to the Earth You created. I pray that she would see the beauty that is in her singleness and that You would reveal its purpose to her. I pray joy, peace, and contentment over her. May she no longer doubt that You have good plans for her. Help her to gain more strength and patience to wait on Your best. When she feels weak, may You surround her with Your love and remind her that she is not lonely but that You are with her. In Jesus' name, Amen.