Experiencing Bitterness and Jealousy in your Singleness?

photo cred: @tiffanybackmeierphoto

        Hey Singles! So the Lord really led me to write about this topic that most singles can be in denial about, and that is their bitterness and jealousy towards other couples. Some of us have tried so hard as you scroll down your timeline on Instagram, Facebook and twitter to be happy for other couples but in the back of your mind, you're like "What about me, God?" or "What did he/she do to deserve to get him/her?" or "What's wrong with me...why am I still single?" Some of us have felt that being committed to God for a certain amount of time that we would reap a reward called marriage. Some of us have contemplated or have settled because we wanted so bad what others have. Some of you have friends and family members around you that are getting married and having babies, and you're like yet again another invitation or announcement and you're struggling to stay happy for them while you feel like you're in a dry place! I get it. You're getting older and almost hitting 40 or around the age where they would say "your clock is ticking". And it's getting hard! You want babies, you want love, you want sex, you want romance, you are ready for your life partner and you feel like singleness is becoming for the birds. But aye, even they find their partner and mate right?! lol jk. In all this, I get it. I've been single for 7 years and through that period of time there has been many nights of tears on my pillow, crying myself to sleep at night at times, refusing to settle, being asked😏😃 most recently since I've turned 26 (yes, I know I'm still young) but the questions are coming like when are you having children? Have you met someone? Have you tried online dating? Have you been going out to meet someone? lol and the answer is of course I desire and tried and no, I haven't met someone that I would like to possibly marry. In all this, I've watched close friends and family of mine settle into having families and get into serious relationships and whenever that demon jealousy or bitterness tries to creep in and settle, I REBUKE IT! I refuse to allow my state of singleness seem like a curse no matter how bad I desire marriage and children! Do you know you have authority to not entertain demons!? You don't have to entertain every thought that comes to mind when you're around other couples and families with babies. I'm glad I'm able to express my deep feelings to my close friends and family and they are there to pray, love, support and encourage me. I dare you to find someone who can do that for you. 

Photo cred: @tiffanybackmeierphoto

In the photos that I'm sharing on this blog are my cousin Pastor Maurice and his wife to be Dominique. Pastor Maurice and I have watched each other evolve in our journeys and he has prayed for me and have been my accountability partner in my singleness. I've watched the man of God grow and go from singleness to being an almost married man. I've watched God literally give him the desires of his heart and watch him pray and fast for his promise without wavering. Maurice's story is truly testament of God's faithfulness, healing, love and deliverance. He has truly inspired me in my singleness that God can give me exactly what I pray and ask for according to His perfect will. 

I want to encourage you as I encourage myself to REFOCUS! In each season of life there will be a different set of trials and tests that you will have to endure! Can you withstand to pass the tests during your singleness? Will you be still enough to figure out what makes YOU happy? Will you be still enough to enjoy your own company? Will you be still enough to be healed, delivered and set free? Behind the beautiful pictures you see are a big story that most couples may not feel led to share! So don't you dare be jealous or envious of things you can't see behind scenes like those who are fornicating, those who are cheating on each other, those who are heading towards divorce, those who are abusive to each other! Don't you dare be jealous of someone who prayed and fasted many years to make their marriage work and thrive! There are things going on in the works.

Be thankful for your portion and how God is writing your love story. Commit these scriptures to memory when you feel like you getting jelly (jealous) or bitter:

Psalm 37:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 37

Of David.

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:

Matthew 6:33 New International Version (NIV)

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Hebrews 11:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 12:14-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

A Call to Listen to God

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal.

So stop tearing down others, singles and  be happy and prayerful for others. Pray for me, and know that I am praying for you!! We're in this together! 

Love yall!

xoxoxo