We’re halfway through the year already. For some, that’s exciting as goals are being crushed, plans are working out, and momentum is strong. For others, it feels like the year is slipping away, and the energy that came with January 1st has long faded.
Wherever you find yourself on that spectrum, now is a great time to pause and ask: What will make me stand out in the months ahead? What is that one thing that will set you apart?
People everywhere are talking about pushing harder, resetting goals, and making the rest of the year count. And that’s good—we should strive to grow, improve, and use our time wisely.
But here’s something that’s often overlooked: beyond talent, ambition, and strategy, there’s one key ingredient that will truly set you apart, and that is God’s presence.
Look at this moment from Scripture:
One of them said he knew a young fellow in Bethlehem, the son of a man named Jesse, who was not only a talented harp player, but was handsome, brave, and strong, and had good, solid judgment. “What’s more,” he added, “the Lord is with him.” 1 Samuel 16:18 (TLB)
David had skill. He had strength. He had the look. But what made him stand out? God was with him.
Israel was home to numerous talented musicians. Music was a huge part of their culture. Yet, when King Saul was tormented and desperate for peace, only one name came up: David. Not because he was the best performer, but because he carried something supernatural.
It wasn’t the harp that calmed the king. It was the presence of God in David’s life that made his music powerful. That same presence helped him defeat Goliath. Those stones didn’t win the battle—God did.
So here’s the real question for you this season:
What’s the “one more thing” that sets you apart?
At your workplace, everyone may have the same qualifications. In your business, others may have more resources or experience. Among your friends, you may not be the most outgoing or popular. That’s okay. The X-factor is not your talent but God’s presence in your life.
Are you going to be just another name on the list, or will you be the one people look to because they sense something different about you? Peace. Wisdom. Clarity. Purpose. That’s what comes from living in God’s presence.
Maybe you’re in a relationship and your current “growth goal” is more romantic getaways or cute Instagram photos. Inasmuch as there is nothing wrong with that, what if you also focused on being the kind of person who brings spiritual strength to the relationship?
Or maybe you’re aiming to improve your image, career, or influence. Great! But beyond the surface, how’s your soul? Are you investing in the one thing that really lasts?
This season is full of opportunities—but it’s also full of distractions. Don’t get caught up in the noise. Refocus. Reconnect. God’s presence will bring clarity, direction, strength, and favor in ways you can’t manufacture on your own.
People may not always be able to put it into words, but they’ll notice. They’ll be drawn to the person who carries real peace, real power, and real purpose. That’s what David had. And it’s available to you too.
And when you truly walk with God, you’ll find that excellence follows. God’s Spirit doesn’t produce mediocrity. But His presence isn’t automatic, you have to pursue it. You have to practice being aware of God daily, in both quiet moments and busy ones.
So don’t let the second half of this year go by on autopilot.
Choose to be the one who carries the presence of God. That’s what will truly set you apart.
Loving God is the foundation of every meaningful relationship. Whether single, waiting, or married, the more you grow in loving God, the more you understand what it means to love someone else deeply and selflessly. God doesn’t just teach love—He is love.
5 truths with scripture about how loving God first can transform your relationship
1. God Teaches You to Forgive First
Loving God opens your heart to grace. You begin to forgive not because your spouse deserves it, but because God forgives you daily.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32
2. God Shows You Love is a Choice, Not Just a Feeling
Love isn’t always butterflies. It’s a commitment—a decision to stay, serve, and give even when it’s tough.
“Love is patient, love is kind… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4,7
3. God’s Love Deals with Self First
When you love God, He gently reveals what needs healing in you. You stop blaming and start growing.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” — Matthew 7:3
4. God’s Voice Trains You to Listen Better
Loving God teaches you to slow down and truly listen—first to Him, then to others. This creates space for deeper intimacy in relationships.
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” — James 1:19
5. God’s Presence Fills Your Loneliness
Single or married, moments of loneliness come. But God’s love fills every gap and teaches you to love from a place of wholeness.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
Let God be your first love—and let that love transform how you see, choose, and care for your spouse or future spouse.
Loving God teaches you how to love, so pursue loving God, and your relationship and marriage will thrive.
Five Reasons You Should Not Give Up On That Marriage
Marriage is a beautiful covenant, but it’s not immune to challenges. There will be moments when frustration, disappointment, or even heartbreak may tempt you to walk away. However, before giving up on your marriage, consider these five biblical truths that remind us why perseverance and commitment are worth the effort.
1. God Honors Covenant Commitments
Marriage is more than a human agreement—it’s a sacred covenant ordained by God (Malachi 2:14). When two people make vows before Him, they enter into a divine partnership where His presence dwells. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 reminds us, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it.” Breaking a marriage covenant should never be taken lightly because it grieves the heart of God. Instead, trust Him to restore what feels broken and honor the promises you made.
2. God Can Redeem Any Situation
No matter how dire things seem, God specializes in turning ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3). Your marriage might feel beyond repair, but nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26). Through prayer, forgiveness, and intentional effort, He can breathe new life into your relationship. If both spouses are willing to seek Him, healing can happen. Don’t underestimate the power of redemption—your story isn’t over yet.
3. Your Children Deserve Stability
If you have children, staying committed to your marriage provides them with a stable foundation. Psalm 127:3 calls children a heritage from the Lord, and part of nurturing them involves modeling perseverance and unity. Divorce can leave lasting scars on kids, teaching them that relationships are disposable. By working through difficulties together, you show them the value of commitment and the importance of fighting for love.
4. Love Requires Sacrifice
True love isn’t about convenience; it’s about sacrifice. Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church—by giving Himself up for her. Similarly, wives are called to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33). Both partners must lay down selfish desires and prioritize the well-being of the other. While this requires humility and effort, sacrificial love has the power to transform bitterness into blessing and conflict into connection.
5. You’re Fighting for More Than Just Each Other
When you refuse to give up on your marriage, you’re not just fighting for your spouse—you’re also standing against the enemy’s schemes. Satan seeks to destroy marriages (John 10:10), but God desires to bring restoration and hope. By persevering, you declare faith in God’s ability to heal and strengthen your union. It’s a testimony to the world of His faithfulness and grace.
Final Thought:
While every marriage faces storms, remember that God is the anchor who holds you steady. Before walking away, exhaust every avenue of reconciliation—seek counseling, pray fervently, and lean on godly mentors. Marriage was designed to reflect Christ’s unconditional love for the church. Even if the journey feels hard, don’t give up too soon. With God at the center, there’s always hope for renewal and deeper intimacy.
What to Do When Your Relationship Feels Spiritually Unbalanced
There are times in a relationship when the excitement starts to settle, and what really matters begins to rise to the surface. And for anyone who is serious about their walk with God, that moment usually comes with a question: Are we spiritually aligned?
“Can two walk together unless they agree?” – Amos 3:3
Because love is not just about chemistry. That spark might get things started, but it takes shared conviction to keep things standing. It takes two people walking in the same direction, the same heart for God, and a shared desire to grow in Him. If only one person is carrying that weight, imbalance is inevitable and one will feel it — in the conversations that do not go deep enough, in the silence during prayer, in the way faith becomes something one person keeps trying to bring into the middle, while the other quietly leaves it at the edge.
And the hard part? You might really care about this person. You might want it to work. But when your spirit keeps feeling out of sync, it is a sign worth paying attention to.
So what do you do when you are emotionally in, but spiritually out of step?
1. Be Honest About What It Really Is
Do not spiritualize red flags. Do not minimize it by saying, “They are trying in their own way.” If you are constantly dragging the spiritual atmosphere forward, that gap matters. Spiritual imbalance is not a minor issue — it is a core one. If they are not walking with God, it will affect how they walk with you.
2. Pray
Before talking to them, talk to God. Prayer is where confusion breaks and wisdom flows. Ask Him to show you what is really happening — not just how you feel, but what is true. Ask Him to give you clarity and courage. He is not the author of confusion, and He will lead you into peace.
3. Have the Real Conversation
Be honest. Ask them where they truly stand with God. Share how important your faith is, not in a controlling way, but in a clear one. You are not asking for perfection — you are asking for shared pursuit. If they respond with resistance or apathy, let that inform your next steps.
4. Set Boundaries Where Needed
You are allowed to take a step back. Whether it means pausing the relationship, re-evaluating boundaries, or spending time alone with God, always guard your soul. Anything that consistently drains your spiritual life is not from God. Real love draws you closer to Him, not further.
5. Be Willing to Let Go, If God Leads You There
This is not easy. If God is asking you to release it, trust that He sees the whole picture. Sometimes, the person you are trying to “spiritually carry” is not your assignment. It is not your role to fix or save them. You can love them and still walk away in obedience. God would never give you someone who pulls you further from Him. Letting go does not mean the relationship was a mistake. It might simply be a lesson. And choosing obedience now could save you from heartbreak later.
Conclusion:
Do not settle for a relationship that makes you shrink spiritually. Wait for one that grows you. One where you are not begging for prayer, or dragging someone to purpose, but walking side-by-side with someone who shares your convictions. Someone who knows it is not just about feelings but shared convictions.
Because chemistry might bring you together. But shared conviction is what keeps you aligned.
Do you know that many relationship problems actually start because of a lack of boundaries? So, it’s wise that we deal with the issue of boundaries.
Boundaries are not walls.
They’re the healthy fences that define where you end and someone else begins.
They protect your peace, preserve your values, and keep resentment from building silently.
What do boundaries connote for singles? Well, boundaries are how you say, “I love God, I love myself, and I take my life seriously.”
Before entering any relationship, be clear on what matters to you.
Will you go and spend the weekend in his/her house? Will you allow emotional manipulation in the name of love? Will you compromise your sexual purity because “Valentine’s Day is once a year”?
If you don’t define your boundaries, someone else will define them for you.
For married couples, boundaries are just as vital. A healthy marriage thrives on boundaries.
Not everything should be said in anger.
Not every extended family member should have unrestricted access to your home or decisions.
Not every habit is okay just because “that’s how I’ve always been.”
Marriage thrives when couples communicate what’s acceptable, what’s uncomfortable, and what needs to change—with love, not hostility.
A marriage without boundaries becomes chaotic.
A relationship without boundaries becomes a trap.
Even Jesus had boundaries—He said “no” sometimes, walked away sometimes, and guarded His purpose always.
