Beauty and the Beast is a timeless fairy tale that explores themes of love, transformation, and inner beauty. The story follows a young woman named Beauty, who sacrifices her freedom to live in a mysterious castle to save her father from the wrath of a fearsome Beast. Although his appearance is terrifying, Beauty discovers the kindness and sorrow hidden beneath the Beast’s exterior. Through their growing bond, she learns to see beyond his outward form and recognizes the goodness within him. Her love ultimately breaks the curse, transforming the Beast back into a handsome prince.
This heartwarming tale reminds us that true beauty lies not in outward appearances but in the heart.
This story holds profound meaning when applied to our individual lives. Within each of us resides both a “beauty” and a “beast.” The “beauty” represents our spirit—the godly, virtuous nature that reflects the image and likeness of God. It is this divine essence that empowers us to act with love, kindness, forgiveness, and selflessness.
On the other hand, the “beast” symbolizes our flesh—the part of us prone to selfishness, anger, envy, jealousy, unforgiveness, and indulgence. These vices seek to dominate and control us if left unchecked.
The key to personal transformation lies in nurturing the “beauty” within us while weakening the influence of the “beast.” As we strengthen our spiritual nature through prayer, faith, and walking in alignment with God’s Word, we become better versions of ourselves.
Galatians 5:25 (KJV) “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
By yielding to the Spirit, we resist the desires of the flesh and cultivate virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.
Ultimately, there is a “beauty” inside all of us waiting to shine. The more we nurture it, the weaker the “beast” becomes.
Let us embrace the transformative power of love and choose to walk in the Spirit, unlocking the full potential of who God created us to be.
Loneliness is a powerful feeling. Like desperation, it can make people settle for less—for relationships they know aren’t right. They do this just to fill the empty space in their hearts. However, if you make a decision based on loneliness, it will often lead to premium tears—your temporary fix causing you long-term pain.
Sometimes we mix it up, but get it straight now. God didn’t propose marriage to Adam because he was lonely. No! There’s a world of difference between being alone and being lonely.
“And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’” Genesis 2:18 [NKJV]
A man can be alone, but not lonely. Another man can be married to a woman, yet lonely. “Being alone” means being singular—be it physically, in an assignment or project, etc. while “being lonely” is a void in the heart—a feeling of emptiness in the soul that is often caused by a lack of active participation in purpose.
Adam was too busy with what God had committed into his hands to do that he didn’t even have time to be lonely. He was alone but not lonely. God had to come to initiate marriage when he saw that Adam needed a helper.
For singles, the temptation to say “Maybe this is the best I can get” often springs from loneliness. Seeing others in relationships makes matters worse, making you feel like time is running out. That’s desperation. But don’t let the feeling of loneliness and desperation push you into something unhealthy. It’s better to wait alone than to walk into a relationship that steals your peace, your values, or your destiny. The wrong relationship will drain you much more than loneliness ever could.
For married couples, well, you can be married and still be lonely. Loneliness can still creep in—especially when communication is broken down or when life gets overwhelming. However, the solution isn’t to withdraw, seek emotional validation elsewhere, or compare your spouse to others. The solution is to fight for your marriage to thrive again—work towards reconnecting. Talk. Pray together. Block out every channel (the opposite gender) that gives you emotional satisfaction. Remember why you chose each other. And fight to reconnect.
A good marriage is not built on constant excitement; it’s built on commitment through every season. Commit to working on your marriage. Commit to fighting for the spark to return again. Sometimes, or most times, it starts with just one of the spouses. If it’s you, then don’t get discouraged. Keep your eyes on the goal, regardless of what you see on the way. Don’t allow loneliness to last. Don’t allow it to lead you into an emotional affair and, ultimately, a full-blown affair.
Ultimately, may we all always recognize that God is always present with us, so we can draw strength from Him.
“Do not fear, for I am with you.” Isaiah 41:10.
God is always present, even in seasons when you feel lonely. So, instead of making hasty decisions out of desperation as singles, trust that His timing is perfect. While waiting, keep active with your purpose. The right love—one that honors God—will come. And if you’re married, the love you already have can be strengthened.
Many people enter relationships with high hopes, only to watch them crumble. But why does this happen? Is love not enough? The truth is, love alone does not sustain a relationship. Wisdom, commitment, and divine guidance do.
First, you need to understand that marriage is not the union of two perfect people. Rather, it is the coming together of two imperfect individuals, choosing to walk in love daily and grace as God leads them. No one is 100% perfect, and that’s okay.
However, when relationships fail, there are often clear reasons why.
1. Absence of the Instructor (God)
Marriage was designed by God, and He alone knows how it should function. In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him.” Yet, many couples walk into marriage without the One who created it. When challenges arise, they find themselves lost, with no divine wisdom to navigate through. A relationship without God is like a ship without a compass that drifts or crashes eventually.
2. A Mismatch in Faith
When you marry someone who does not share your faith, you are building on different foundations. A spouse who does not understand your beliefs or values may struggle to align with your vision.
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
This spiritual disconnect creates frustration, leading to discord and, ultimately, failure.
3. Unrealistic Expectations
Expectations are natural, but when they are too high or completely unrealistic, they set the stage for disappointment. Many people enter relationships with fairy-tale dreams, only to face the reality that their partner is human. Instead of focusing on what they lack, appreciate the little things they do. A heart of gratitude strengthens love.
4. Lack of Purpose
God did not institute marriage just for companionship or procreation. It’s also a divine partnership with a purpose (Genesis 1:28). When a couple lacks a shared vision, marriage can become monotonous, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. Purpose fuels passion. When both partners understand their God-given assignment, it brings joy and fulfillment to their union.
5. Selfishness
Marriage is not about me, it’s about us. When selfishness takes over, decisions are made without considering the other person’s feelings or well-being.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3).
A healthy relationship thrives on mutual sacrifice, compromise, and a willingness to prioritize the needs of one’s partner.
Every relationship has challenges, but with God as the foundation, shared faith, realistic expectations, purpose, and selflessness, it can stand the test of time.
Are you building your relationship on the right foundation? If not, it’s never too late to start.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
Let God be the center, and watch your love flourish.
Letting go of past hurts is easier said than done. You may have prayed about it, tried to move on, or even told yourself that you’re over it. But then, something happens, a familiar situation, a certain name, a random memory, and suddenly, the pain feels just as fresh as it did back then.
Maybe you were betrayed by someone you trusted. Maybe you were abandoned, abused, rejected, or taken for granted. Maybe you gave your all to a relationship that ended in heartbreak. Whatever the case, those wounds don’t just disappear. They shape how you see yourself, how you interact with others, and even how you approach love.
And if you don’t deal with them properly, they will follow you into your future, especially into your marriage. Your spouse will feel the weight of baggage they didn’t pack, and your marriage will suffer from wounds someone else inflicted. The walls you put up to protect yourself will also shut out the person who is meant to love you. Your fears will cause unnecessary arguments. Your past will compete with your future. And that’s not the kind of marriage God wants for you.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:18-19
The scripture above reminds us that God is doing a new thing. But notice that He first tells us to FORGET the former things, that is, to stop dwelling on the past. That’s because we can’t fully embrace what He has ahead if we are still clinging to what’s behind.
So, how do we truly let go?
1. Be honest about the hurt. Acknowledge it Pretending you’re fine won’t bring healing. Ignoring the pain won’t make it go away. Healing starts with honesty, acknowledging the hurt, and allowing God to meet you in that place. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” What pain have you been avoiding? God is ready to walk through it with you.
2. Stop making others pay for what someone else did It’s natural to be cautious after being hurt. But when past wounds cause you to push away good people, assume the worst, or expect failure, that’s a sign of unhealed pain. Your future spouse is not your ex. Your friends are not the people who abandoned you. Don’t punish the right people for what the wrong people did. Colossians 3:13 says, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
3. Stop defining yourself by what happened to you Pain has a way of reshaping our identity. You may start to believe you’re unworthy of love, destined to be alone, or incapable of a healthy relationship. But those are lies that the devil wants you to believe. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” God doesn’t just heal, He makes new. Who does God say you are? It’s time to start believing it.
4. Allow yourself to heal Healing is not instant. Some days will be better than others. Some moments will still sting. But every step toward healing matters. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Allow yourself to feel, but don’t dwell in the hurt. Forgive, not because they deserve it, but because you deserve freedom. You don’t have to have it all together overnight, but you do have to commit to the process. So allow yourself to truly heal and stop suppressing the pain
5. Walk into your future without fear Your past does not have the power to ruin your future unless you let it. Philippians 3:13-14 encourages us, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” God has something greater ahead of you. But will you trust Him enough to step into it?
Carrying emotional baggage into marriage will not only make your life harder but also make your spouse’s life harder. Don’t let your past sabotage the love God has planned for you. Let Him heal you now so you can walk into the future whole, free, and ready to love the way He intended.
In Ephesians 5:22-33, the Apostle Paul provides profound guidance on marriage that reflects Christ’s relationship with the Church. For husbands, the call is clear: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
This command challenges men to lead not through authority or control but through sacrificial love—a love so deep it mirrors Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross. Loving your wife means putting her needs above your own, serving her with humility, and nurturing an environment where she can flourish spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
For wives, Paul writes, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). Submission here does not imply inferiority or blind obedience; rather, it reflects trust in God’s design for order within the home.
Just as the Church submits to Christ’s leadership, a wife’s submission involves respecting and supporting her husband’s role while trusting God to guide their shared journey.
It’s important to note this mutual submission is rooted in love—both partners are called to honor one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).
These roles might seem challenging, even counter-cultural, yet they point us back to the Gospel. Husbands are reminded that true leadership looks like laying down your life—not demanding respect but earning it by loving selflessly.
Wives are encouraged to embrace submission not out of fear but from faith, trusting God’s wisdom in His design for unity and harmony.
Ultimately, these instructions aren’t about power dynamics but about reflecting God’s love story.
When husbands love sacrificially and wives submit respectfully, they create a picture of Christ’s covenantal love for His bride, the Church. As Colossians 3:14 reminds us, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Let us pray for marriages to reflect this divine model—that homes may be places of grace, joy, and testimony to God’s unchanging love.
Whether you’re a husband striving to love well or a wife seeking to submit faithfully, remember that God equips you to fulfill His purpose when you walk in obedience to Him.
