There are seasons in life where you are actually doing the right things — trusting God, praying, waiting, showing up — but it still feels like nothing is happening. You’re obeying, but it feels quiet. And the longer it stretches, the more you start to ask questions you thought you already settled: “Did I miss something?” “Is God even still in this with me?” “Why does this feel so hard if I’m doing what He asked me to do?”
Luke 4:2 – “…for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.”
Jesus understands that feeling more than we often realize. Luke 4:2 tells us that He was in the wilderness for forty days. And for those days, He was tempted by the devil. He didn’t eat. He was isolated. There were no crowds, no miracles, nothing… Just Him, the silence, and the pressure.
Temptations, in this context, are not necessarily just about sin. It is about the pressure to move ahead of God.
To prove something, force an answer, lower your standards, take matters into your own hands, question your identity and worth, or choose what is easy over what is right. It is subtle, and that’s what makes it dangerous.
That is exactly what Satan was trying to do to Jesus:
“If You are the Son of God…” (trying to make Him doubt who He already was),
“Turn these stones to bread…” (trying to make Him use power to satisfy Himself),
“Bow and I’ll give you all this…” (offering Him shortcuts to things that were already His through obedience).
Jesus was tempted during those forty days, not when He was strongest, but when He was physically at His weakest. That is when the enemy often comes.
Dealing with Temptations
Not when you are busy and everything is going well. But when things are quiet, when you are tired of waiting, when nothing seems to be changing, or when it feels like God is slow or silent.
So, what can you do while you’re in that season?
Start by being honest about where the pressure is showing up. Are you feeling the urge to settle for what’s available instead of waiting for what’s right? Are you starting to question your worth or rush ahead because you’re tired of being still? Recognizing those feelings is not weakness — it’s wisdom.
Next, hold onto what you know is true. That’s what Jesus did. He answered every pressure point with, “It is written…” He didn’t argue with feelings. He stood on what God had already said. Find Scriptures that speak to your identity and your season, and let those become your grounding point when your emotions are loud.
Also, be careful not to equate God’s faithfulness with speed. God was just as present with Jesus in that empty desert as He was when the miracles started. Your “quiet” season isn’t proof of God’s absence. It might be where He’s doing His deepest work. Don’t rush it just because it’s uncomfortable.
And lastly, instead of just praying for this season to end, try praying for the strength to walk through it well. Ask for clarity. Ask for peace. Ask for endurance. This isn’t just about getting through — it’s about who you become on the other side.
Your mind is a battlefield—and your thoughts are either building your relationship or breaking it. Most people think marriage and love are about emotions and actions. While those matter, everything starts with your thoughts. A heart filled with bitterness, insecurity, suspicion, or fear will eventually express those things in the relationship, even if you try to hide them. But the reverse is also true: a mind disciplined in love, hope, forgiveness, and truth will produce peace, unity, and joy in your relationship.
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
Whether you’re single or married, you can’t afford to let your thoughts run wild. You must train them to serve your future, not sabotage it.
For Singles:
Before you say “I do,” learn to think healthy, faith-filled thoughts about yourself and about love. Refuse to believe the lie that all men or women are bad. Stop replaying past hurts or expecting heartbreak. Begin to see marriage as a partnership where both people grow, give, and thrive. What you consistently think about love, dating, and marriage will prepare you for it or poison your journey before it begins.
For the Married:
Your spouse is not your enemy. But if your thoughts always dwell on what they didn’t do, how they hurt you, or where they’re falling short, your heart will become cold. Discipline your mind to dwell on their strengths. Think gracious thoughts. Believe the best. Renew your mind with God’s truth about forgiveness, unity, and love. A changed thought life can turn a tense home into a safe haven.
Reflection from the Word:
Philippians 4:8 (NLT) – “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.”
Romans 12:2 (NIV) – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) – “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to discipline my thoughts. Help me think in ways that build love, not break it. Where there is fear or pain in my heart, replace it with Your truth. Let my thoughts be aligned with Your will so that my relationship can flourish, and my heart can be whole. Amen.
Right thinking is the foundation of right loving. If you want a thriving marriage or relationship, begin with your mind. As you think, so you become. As you become, so you love.
In a culture saturated with images, messages, and expectations that glorify physical attraction and instant gratification, the line between love and lust has become dangerously blurred. Many relationships today are built on fleeting emotions or surface-level desires rather than deep, lasting commitment. But God calls us to something higher—to love others in a way that honors Him and reflects His heart. Let’s explore why “Love me, don’t lust me!” is a powerful declaration for every relationship.
1. Lust Focuses on Self; Love Focuses on Others
Lust is inherently selfish. It says, “What can you do for me? How can you satisfy my desires?” Whether it’s physical attraction, emotional validation, or material gain, lust centers on personal benefit. James 4:3 warns, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
True love, however, shifts the focus away from self and onto the other person. 1 Corinthians 13:5 reminds us that love “is not self-seeking.” When we truly love someone, we seek their best interests, not our own comfort or pleasure. Love asks, “How can I serve you? How can I help you grow closer to God?”
2. Lust is Temporary; Love is Eternal
Lust thrives on momentary feelings—infatuation, chemistry, or excitement. These emotions might feel intoxicating at first, but they fade quickly when faced with challenges or reality. Proverbs 5:3-4 describes this cycle perfectly: “For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.”
God’s kind of love, by contrast, is eternal. It doesn’t depend on fleeting passions but on steadfast commitment. Song of Solomon 8:7 declares, “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” True love endures through trials, disagreements, and hardships because it’s rooted in covenant, not convenience.
3. Lust Objectifies; Love Honors
One of the most damaging aspects of lust is that it reduces people to objects meant to fulfill personal desires. This mindset strips individuals of their dignity and worth, treating them as tools for satisfaction rather than image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27).
Love, on the other hand, honors and respects the personhood of another. Ephesians 5:33 instructs husbands to love their wives and treat them with reverence. True love sees beyond outward appearances and values the soul, character, and spiritual growth of the other person. It cherishes them as Christ cherishes His bride—the church.
4. Lust Destroys; Love Builds Up
The consequences of lust are devastating. It leads to broken relationships, shattered trust, and deep wounds that take years to heal. Jesus warned about the seriousness of lust in Matthew 5:28, saying that indulging in lustful thoughts is akin to committing adultery in the heart. Lust destroys marriages, families, and communities.
Love, however, builds up and restores. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 encourages believers to “love one another,” emphasizing that love fosters unity, peace, and mutual edification. When we choose to love instead of lust, we create an environment where healing, trust, and intimacy can flourish.
5. Lust Is Fleshly; Love Is Spiritual
At its core, lust originates from the flesh—the sinful nature within us that seeks immediate gratification without regard for God’s will. Galatians 5:16 urges us to walk by the Spirit so we won’t gratify the desires of the flesh. Lust separates us from God’s purpose and design for relationships.
Love, however, flows from the Spirit. It aligns with God’s Word and reflects His character. Colossians 3:14 tells us that love is the bond of perfection—it ties everything together in harmony. When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts, we learn to love others in a way that pleases God and brings glory to His name.
Final Thought:
“Love me, don’t lust me!” isn’t just a plea—it’s a call to live according to God’s design for relationships. Lust may promise temporary fulfillment, but only love offers true joy, connection, and purpose. As you navigate friendships, dating, marriage, or any form of relationship, remember that love honors, protects, and uplifts, while lust devalues, exploits, and destroys. Choose love—the kind of love that mirrors Christ’s sacrifice—and watch how it transforms both you and those around you.
But trust me — it’s even more awkward when you don’t.
Singles should not be afraid to ask questions about money early. Not because you’re being materialistic, but because how someone handles money reveals how they handle responsibility.
Do they save? Are they drowning in debt but pretending otherwise? Do they tithe, give, plan, or just spend whatever comes in?
You’re not asking for bank statements on the first date—just be observant.
Money isn’t the foundation of love, but it can break what love is trying to build if you ignore it too long.
For married couples, here’s the truth:
You’re not just sharing a bed—you’re sharing a budget. And if you’re not on the same page financially, you’ll end up blaming each other for stress that could have been avoided.
Here are a few simple things that may help:
1. Talk about money regularly, not only when there’s a crisis.
Set a time each month to go over income, expenses, plans—with grace, not tension.
2. Don’t hide money.
Secret accounts, silent spending, or “it’s my money” attitudes only create distrust. Even if you earn more, you’re building together.
3. Create a plan that reflects both of you.
One person may love saving, the other may enjoy giving or investing. Find a rhythm that honours both your personalities, not just one.
4. Pray about your finances.
Seriously. Invite God into your money decisions. He’s not just the God of miracles—He’s the God of wisdom.
When money becomes a conversation instead of a battle, your relationship will breathe easier. Because love thrives where trust lives, and how you handle money says a lot about trust.
In a world where emotions are easily mistaken for divine direction, it’s important to pause and ask: How do I truly know this is God’s will for me?
Butterflies are beautiful, but they’re not divine confirmation. That quickened heartbeat when they text or the way they make you smile, though exciting, does not automatically mean they’re God’s best for you. Feelings are fleeting; God’s will is founded in truth and peace.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV).
Your emotions can scream “yes!” even when God is gently saying “wait” or “no.” That’s why peace in your spirit is more reliable than the thrill in your chest.
Proverbs 3:6 says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” If it’s truly God, His direction will be clear, not chaotic. His peace will rule in your heart, not anxiety or fear (Colossians 3:15).
You’ll know it’s God when the relationship pushes you closer to Jesus, not away, when purity is protected, not compromised, when conversations are edifying, not manipulative. A relationship led by God will reflect 1 Corinthians 13, which states, patient, kind, honoring, not self-seeking.
God may confirm His will through wise counsel, Scripture, godly mentors, dreams, or even closed doors. Don’t ignore spiritual red flags just because you like the person. Remember, God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).
Sometimes “the one” won’t fit your list, but they’ll fit your destiny. They will honor your calling, carry God’s grace, and bring out the best in you.
Before you say “yes,” ask: Is this God’s leading or just my longing? Let your emotions be quieted. Allow your spirit to listen. And above all, let God confirm it.
When it’s God, you won’t have to force it. His love story for you will be marked by peace, purpose, and His undeniable presence.
