Suffering Silently

Because I've been on this celibacy journey for 13 years, God tends to give me little nuggets about my future husband. My prayer is that you glean from what He's given and apply to it your life. Here's a snippet of what He gave today.

‘Love suffers long…’ (1 Cor. 13:4)

When you’re in love, the God-kind-of love, you have to be willing to suffer long with that person; with, and if need be, because of them. When you’re in real, God-ordained love, you must go into the relationship knowing that there will come a time when the relationship and/or person will suffer. But not suffer as the world suffers; not being broke, in lack, or in pain (i.e. sickness and disease). But as my Pastor teaches, suffer not being able to do what you want to do. Because doing what God leads us to do, often feels like suffering; especially when it comes to men.

Single ladies, it is wise to go into marriage knowing that you are going to suffer. Understanding that as a wife, you now must surrender your independence and suffer NOT doing what you are accustomed to; even and especially when what you want to do is right. 'Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.' - Ephesians 5:22 You have to submit your old, independent way of thinking to God and love your future husband to the point, that you’re willing to let him lead; even when you know he’s gone astray. Suffering to the point where you wait on God to get through to him, and not take it upon yourself to correct him. Because this is how God wants you to love that man. Because that's just one way your future husband will know that you love him, is by your willingness to be with him through his good, bad, and ugly decisions. So, how can you get to that point? By practicing patience.

“…count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 2-4 NKJV

When you suffer not commenting or interjecting your invaluable opinion about what needs to be done, you become more patient towards him. And because God created you to be his helpmeet, you're better equipped to aid, protect and surround him with the force field of patience. Thereby, whenever you’re around, he is always silently protected. He can take comfort in knowing, be secured and assured, that you will be there – silently suffering with and if need be, for him. That’s love. Because when you think about it, that’s exactly how God loves you and that’s exactly how He wants your future hubby to be loved. So…

Pray this with me: Heavenly Father, I’m ready to start preparing for my future husband which means I know there are things that I have to unlearn in order to do so. Lord, teach me how to not get my way, not put my two cents in and more importantly, help me to suffer in silence. In Jesus’ name.

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