The Bible warns us not to conform for a reason—it’s because conforming is easier. The pressure to fit in is constant. There’s pressure to get married, have kids, build a career, start a business, travel the world, and so on.
But God has given us a way out: the renewal of our minds.
Romans 12:2 (AMP) And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
One of the key ways to experience transformation is by growing spiritually. If you’re still struggling with the basics—fasting, tithing, praying, meditating—how will you stand firm when the pressure comes?
Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s a journey worth taking. The more you grow in your walk with God, the less pressure the world will have over you. Instead of being swayed by expectations, you’ll stand firm in God’s will for your life.
Battles are won through strategies. No military man would go to war without a strategy in mind. Things may change on the battlefield, but he would never go there with a blank mind.
Joshua had a strategy.
Jos 7:2-3 [NIV] Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So the men went up and spied out Ai. When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there.”
Gideon had one too.
Jud 7:17-18 [NIV] “Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”
David, Samson, and every other war veteran in the bible had a strategy they used.
Strategies are meant to be improved over time. You don’t stick to the same old plan you’ve been using. Even if it works for you, there is always room for improvement.
You’ve approached that marriage with the same strategy for years. Yes, you might have had some results, but there are still more grounds to conquer.
You’ve approached that ‘babe’ with the same game plan over the years. This Valentine’s Day, why don’t you change your strategy?
That business hasn’t yielded as expected. It’s time to try something new.
The Israelites had a winning strategy I would love to recommend to us this morning. It can be applied anywhere – business, family, career, finance, and so on.
Jdg 20:18 [ERV] And the children of Israel arose, and went up to Beth-el, and asked counsel of God; and they said, Who shall go up for us first to battle against the children of Benjamin? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up first.
In all you do, let praise take the lead. I know you are a prayer warrior. I know you are a master strategist, with a doctorate in strategic planning. Let Judah go up first. Read through the scriptures, anywhere they applied this strategy, it worked.
Ps 149:6 [CEV] Praise God with songs on your lips and a sword in your hand.
When you allow praise to take the lead, it translates to a sword in your hand.
By now we all know the scripture God gave us and are standing on it for manifestation. The little we know is all that is needed.
While meditating on this scripture, the Holy Spirit told me that this scripture also relates to the family.
Isa 60:22 (KJV) A little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time
When we become truly united in the family, ‘our little’ becomes a thousand. God has designed it so that our interdependence with each other will produce far more than our individual effort, grace, anointing, strength, influence, and productivity.
In God’s arithmetic of marriage, one plus one never equals two. One Plus one equals three. It goes on and on until our one plus one equals ten and multiples of ten. It will always start with the little – husband and wife.
When husbands and wives walk in unity, bringing their unique ideas, graces, and anointing to the table, we don’t have a better idea, we have a completely new idea that is better than either the husband’s or wife’s initial idea.
Unity is not just sameness but complementary. You don’t have to be the same but complement one another. That’s humility and preferring one another to ourselves.
This is the atmosphere for thriving, blossoming, and flourishing. There is a powerful principle in the book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. That’s the power of effective listening, first seek to hear before you are heard.
Effective listening brings unity which is necessary for us if our little is going to become a thousand.
Let’s work towards agreement in our marriages. The devil will challenge our agreement and unity. We should be wiser than the devil and not let go of the unity in our marriage. Our fight should be against the devil, for ourselves to defend ourselves.
How beautiful would it be if all marriages could strive and work at attaining this stage where they truly become a thousand?
Great victory will be won for the kingdom of God and great disaster done to the devil’s kingdom.
The victory of the Cross is not a one-time event but a daily reality for every believer. The scripture reminds us that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life.
2 Peter 1:3 (NIV) – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.
To consistently enjoy this victory, we must embrace two fundamental principles:
1. Knowing Who You Are in Christ
Before we can truly celebrate the victory of the Cross, we need to understand our identity in Christ. This revelational knowledge is the key that unlocks our freedom. When you grasp that you are loved, redeemed, and empowered by God, every life’s battle becomes an opportunity to live out that truth.
In our marriages and relationships, this truth comes into play. Instead of seeking approval or validation solely from one another, we learn to ground our worth in who we are in Christ. This mutual understanding transforms conflict into growth and challenges into stepping stones toward a deeper, more resilient love. Just as the Word nourishes our spirit, a clear knowledge of who we are in Christ becomes the sustenance for every aspect of our lives.
2. Faith
Faith is essential to experiencing God’s victory. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Our belief in His promises like Romans 8:32, which reminds us that He gave His only Son for us builds an unshakeable foundation. Faith is the anchor that holds us steady when life’s storms arise.
Consider the simple yet crucial question: “What are you feeding your mind?” The thoughts we nurture shape our identity and our destiny. In every relationship and marriage, feeding our minds with the truth of God’s Word and meditating on the scriptures, enables us to overcome difficulties with confidence. Even when challenges seem impossible, faith assures us that Christ has overcome the world.
Victory in Christ isn’t about never facing struggles. It’s about knowing that no matter what comes your way, you’ve already won through Christ. Life will test you in every way possible but don’t lose sight of what the cross secured for you. See yourself with the lens of the cross!
Stop picking up what God has already taken away. It could be fear, doubt, or past mistakes. Keep feeding your mind with His truth, trust His timing, and hold onto faith even when things don’t look like they’re changing.
God’s victory should be your everyday reality. Live in it, walk in it, and never let life convince you otherwise.
The situation in Israel was terrible, so terrible that MOTHERS entered into an agreement to have their children for lunch. There’s an emphasis on “Mothers” because mothers have a special bond with their children.
And the king said to her, “What is troubling you?” And she answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son so that we can eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ So we boiled my son and ate him. And the next day I said to her, ‘Give your son so that we can eat him.’ And she has hidden her son”. 2 Kings 6:28-29
If mothers could slaughter their sons for lunch, then the situation was really terrible. And it also reveals to us that a man, if he doesn’t receive grace, can do ANYTHING in his vulnerable seasons.
This is actually a very disturbing story to read, but sometimes life can throw dirty and hard curveballs at you that will make you begin to justify barbaric acts. You can “kill” anyone just to survive, and you can even justify it as “God’s provision.”
“If I’m alive, I can give birth to another son. If I don’t boil my son, I and my son will still die of hunger. It’s better I sacrifice my son so I can live and give birth to another tomorrow. Thank You, LORD, for this wisdom.” One mother would have said, out of severe hunger, justifying the sin she was about to commit and slapping the name of God on it.
What are you currently trying to justify? This is God’s call for you to stop!
One of the moments you have to be extremely careful and double-check every action is in times of dire need… in your low moments. In such times, it will do you good to stay real close to God—to really enquire of God before taking any action—so that you don’t do anything you will regret and pay for later. Many have “boiled their sons” to satisfy their needs. I hope you don’t do so.
After they boiled the first woman’s son and ate, the hunger cleared, and the second woman began thinking well.
“How on earth did we agree to do this?”
So she went and hid her son.
You see that hunger was really the driving force of the barbaric act. Hunger can mess up your life. Hunger can make you do terrible things you couldn’t have imagined yourself doing. So, I counsel again:
In your times of dire need, stay close to God. Allow God to purify you constantly. Don’t take actions hastily—sit on decisions and allow God to direct you.
Finally, come to the throne of grace and receive grace.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 [NKJV]
There’s Grace available for you. You can receive grace for the season you’re currently in. You can receive grace.
Have you ever felt like you’re not good enough for God? No matter how much you pray, worship, or try to live right, there’s always a lingering feeling of guilt, doubt, or spiritual failure. If so, let me break the good news to you that you’re not alone.
Many believers struggle with the thought that they are not truly godly and that they’re somehow a disappointment to God. That feeling doesn’t come from God, it’s the enemy messing with your mind.
One of Satan’s greatest strategies is deception. He knows he cannot take away your salvation, so he works hard to make you think you’re not worthy of God’s love. His goal is to make you believe a lie so that you live in defeat rather than the victory Christ has already won for you.
That’s why the Bible admits to us
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
If the enemy can make you doubt God’s love, he knows he can weaken your faith.
You see, your mistakes, struggles, and doubts can not separate you from God’s love. God’s love is constant, consistent, and unchanging.
Romans 8:38-39 that: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Now that you know the enemy’s tactics, here’s how you can fight back:
1. Renew your mind with God’s word daily
The enemy thrives in ignorance, but God’s Word is your weapon. (Romans 12:2)
2. Reject condemnation
Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit to lead you back to God, but condemnation comes from the devil to push you away from God. Learn to recognize the difference.
3. Guard your thoughts
When negative thoughts come, don’t entertain them. Instead, do what is in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Counter lies with truth. When the enemy says, You’re not godly, remind him: I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).
4. Stay in a community
Isolation makes you an easy target for the enemy. Stay connected with other believers who can encourage and uplift you.
5. Pray and resist the enemy
Prayer isn’t just talking to God; it’s also spiritual warfare. Fight negative thoughts in the place of prayer.
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
So the next time the enemy tries to bring guilt and mess with your mind, remind him: I belong to Jesus, and nothing you say can change that truth.
Most of the time, our immediate actions have futuristic consequences, which is why we have to be careful about what we do or what we don’t do. Our choices – whether good or bad, transcend us.
David, for example, chose to go for another man’s wife after murdering him. One would think God’s silence on the matter for over a year meant He approved David’s actions. Well, his choices threw his family into problems as the sword never departed from his house.
What about Abraham, the father of faith? He wanted a permanent solution to his issue of childlessness as the supposed promise of God was taking too long to manifest. Of course, we know he eventually had to send Ishmael away.
I could also talk about Samson, Joseph, Gehazi, Saul, and a host of others whose choices outlived them.
What is my point this morning? It doesn’t end with you. That 5 minutes of pleasure doesn’t end there. That subtle text doesn’t end there. Yes, it is taking longer than you thought but compromising has never solved any problem beforehand. Ask everyone who has compromised in one way or another. It never ended there. More often than not, the moment you are done compromising, then the issues begin.
Jos 24:15 [NKJV] And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Before you take that decision, think about your children. Think about your assignment. Think about your purpose. Jesus could have easily turned the stones into bread. He not only had the power, he was hungry, but he knew better. He knew his work on earth was more than bread.
Like we say in Nigeria; the food you do not have plans to put in your mouth, do not bring it close to your nose.
It is amazing how we can overlook the power of the little.
God has the capacity to create anything out of nothing. It is the attribute of the divine.
But for man, there has to be that little to work with. God will never leave you with nothing. It could be gifts, talents, substance, relationships, or even the seed of the word, but there will always be that thing you have to get you to where you ought to be.
That is the principle of the kingdom.
In our scripture for the year, it says,
Isa 60:22 (KJV) A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
Can you see that? What will become a thousand is the “little.”
That little is always needed.
What is the little that you have but have neglected because you are looking for the “huge” capital to get started?
What is the little gift you have but have simply refused to appreciate?
Well, whatever is not appreciated will depreciate.
You must not only identify and acknowledge your little, but you must be thankful, praise-full, and grateful to God for it.
Do you remember the five loaves and the two fishes?
John 6:5-9 (KJV) When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? [6] And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. [7] Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. [8] One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, [9] There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
Andrew despised and dismissed the little lunch of the little boy, but hey, that was exactly “the little” that Jesus needed to demonstrate God’s wonder on supernatural provision!
Be thankful and grateful for the little this morning, put it in the hands of Jesus like that lunch, and watch a glorious miracle of multiplication unravel in your life! May God open your eyes to see the little!
Abigail is one of the women in the Bible, with rich lessons to teach and wisdom to glean from.
Her story is in 1 Samuel 25: 1 – end.
Her story teaches us how to handle any difficult relationship. Whether it is a relationship with an employer, an associate, a colleague, a child, a mentor, a mentee, a spouse, or a family member, it’s the same principle and it can be applied for success.
1 Samuel 25:3 [KJV] Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
Emotional intelligence, people management, and good understanding were virtues that Abigail possessed. Abigail had a good understanding of herself, her husband, her situation, and her household.
Our focus is not on Nabal’s behavior but on her ability to beautifully manage and navigate the situation.
It is our year of supernatural growth and our emphasis should be growing in the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 [KJV] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The more we learn to develop the fruits of the Spirit, the better our relationships will be even if the persons are “churlish and evil in their doings” like Nabal
We can see her good understanding being displayed in her attitudes, speech, actions, and the quality of her inner life.
Her good understanding helped her to know the times and seasons and how to salvage a situation that would have led to the murder of every life associated with Nabal, both young and old.
The story of Abigail is not just for wives but also for men, who want to know how to manage people. People are ladders, especially those relationships God brought into your life.
Don’t discard people because of offenses and unforgiveness. You need to understand that not every man has developed fully in the fruit of the Spirit. They might just be the help you need at certain junctions in your life.
There are some things we have control over and some we don’t have control over. You don’t have control over other people’s behavior but you have control over your attitudes.
It’s all about how you react when others treat you badly.
Being married to Nabal was a lot, but Abigail was a woman who had a good understanding.
Isaiah 11:2 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
I pray the Holy Spirit will impact our lives with Good understanding in Jesus’ mighty name amen
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
Have you ever been in a relationship where everything seems to be okay on the surface, but there is just this little voice inside you that says something is not right? Maybe you have been in it for so long, that everything is going smoothly, and you stopped questioning it.
Have you asked yourself; Is this the person God has for me? It’s so easy to get into the flow and move with it.
A biblical account that beautifully illustrated how God’s choice often defies human expectation was when Samuel thought Eliab was the perfect choice for a king because he had the look, the stature, and the presence. But God saw differently: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
This story reminds us that good is not always God’s best. Like Samuel, we must learn to trust God’s wisdom over our perceptions. Instead of making decisions based on what seems right, we should seek God’s guidance, knowing that His choice will always be greater than our expectations.
Life has a way of presenting us with this picture-perfect view of choices to make in life. Sometimes, in relationships, friendships, or even career paths, we meet people who often seem to be everything that we would have prayed for: kind, loving, responsible, and even God-fearing. But then, as time unfolds, we really get to find out that just because they are a good person does not make them the right person. The difference is found in the divine alignment.
A good person can have great qualities, but the right person is someone God has specifically aligned with your destiny. The right person won’t just make you happy, they will help you grow into the person God has called you to be (Jeremiah 29:11).
Sometimes, we get caught up in our own checklist of what we think we need, but God’s plan is always bigger and better than our expectations. A good person may be kind and loving, but if they’re not meant to walk your journey with you, they could slow you down instead of helping you move forward. Perhaps the clearest sign of all, while a good person may seem perfect on paper, the right person will bring a deep, unshakable peace in your spirit that only God can give (Colossians 3:15).
Good isn’t always God. Just because something looks perfect doesn’t mean it’s meant for you. What seems right in your eyes may not be what’s best for your future. Instead of chasing what looks good, seek what is God-ordained. Pray, listen, and trust His leading because His choice is always better than yours.
Time doesn’t really make things better; what happens IN time is what has the power to change the course of actions.
So, if the enemy has stolen from your life, marriage, family, and career last year, he will come to take another this year. Don’t think that the passage of time from 2024 to 2025 will stop him from taking another. He will come for another!
“Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.”Acts 12:2-3 [NKJV]
Herod had killed James, and you would think that was enough and that time would make him stop. It didn’t. When he was done with James, he went for Peter! And had he been able to deal with Peter, he would have gone for another. And then another. And another… until there was none left.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” John 10:10 [NKJV]
But the church stopped that from happening—they stopped the enemy from taking another. How?
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Acts 12:5 [KJV]
Prayer was made without ceasing. What changed the narrative was what the church did in time—they made constant prayers.
In this season, things will spiral into more mess if you don’t step in and stop the flow. The enemy will take another if you don’t step in and stop the flow. More things will go wrong in your marriage if you don’t step in and stop the flow. Your life will get worse if you don’t arise and stop the flow.
It’s that year that we arise and declare, “No more!”
Single or married, we are all believing that God will bless the work of our hands. God is interested in doing this, especially when that work of our hands is in alignment with His purpose for our lives both here and eternally.
The best place we can enjoy God’s blessings is when we are right at the center of His will and purpose for our lives!
The scriptures say here:
Deu 28:12 (KJV) The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
There is a good treasure of God that can be closed or opened. There needs to be cooperation between heaven and earth wherein the land in its season gets rain given from heaven.
The blessing of the work of our hands can be exemplified in the reality of being a victor and not a victim, where you can be the owner of a loan-giving company and not owe several loan sharks who keep calling friends and families with threats.
All of these dynamics can be found in just one verse! This verse needs to be studied, as a panacea to lack and poverty, as a way out of famine!
We all know the chief cause of famine can be a lack of rain, right?
Let’s take a look at another transition.
Deu 28:12 (MSG) GOD will throw open the doors of his sky vaults and pour rain on your land on schedule and bless the work you take in hand. You will lend to many nations but you yourself won’t have to take out a loan.
Hey! He will pour out rain on your land on schedule!
Isn’t that powerful?
You will lend to nations and won’t have to take a loan!
A good prayer here is this:
Lord, throw open the sky vaults and pour rain on my land in Jesus’ name!
I have learnt over time, that there are certain blessings you don’t have to pray for. The scriptures rightly tell us what to do if we want these blessings activated in our lives, finances, and relationships. One of such blessings is the blessing of longevity.
Long life comes from honoring one’s parents.
Eph 6:1-3 [NLT] Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
So rather than praying for a long life, focus on honoring your parents- biological and spiritual.
Likewise, the blessing of favor has an instruction attached.
Ps 5:12 [ESV] For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
This simply means for you to be favored, you have to be righteous. It’s as simple as that. You cannot be living in sin and expect the favor of God to rest upon you.
Let’s see how this verse is explained in another translation
Ps 5:12 [AMPC] For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor).
A life of compromise cannot attract the favor of God.
Look at Joseph. What made him favored in the prison? It was his life of righteousness that God saw and decided to show him favor.
Gen 39:21 [KJV] But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
While it is good to pray for the favor of God, it is better to lead a life of righteousness.
Marriage is an institution created by God for a purpose. It’s one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. This is a world where emotions run high and destiny calls, but many singles still find themselves asking if they should marry for love or purpose.
Genesis 2:18 (NIV) The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
The scripture gave us a reason why it is not good for a man to be alone which is why it said He will make him a helper suitable for him. The gospel truth is that love and purpose work together and every destiny decision must have a strong WHY.
The first thing Adam saw in Eve was her beauty. He was blown away and immediately gave her the name WOMAN. When he was to name the animals that God created, God had to give the instructions, but when he saw his wife, his purpose to oversee, to be fruitful and to multiply began to flow effortlessly, which made him name Eve immediately. Even though he was asleep when she was created out of his ribs, he got her name at first sight and followed through with sweet lines.
Genesis 2:23 (NIV)The man said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh, she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
There has to be a complementation between you and your spouse that allows you to flow naturally in the fulfillment of your purpose with deep love.
So, leaving purpose out for love does not balance with the equation of God.
Here are reasons you should marry for love and purpose.
1. Love without purpose is risky
Love is a powerful force. It makes your heart race, gives you butterflies, and makes you believe in forever. But love alone is not enough to sustain a marriage. Feelings can be fleeting, and what happens when life gets hard? You will no longer feel the excitement you once had. When you make love a choice, your WHYs will reflect and you will be able to sustain better than relying on the feelings of love alone.
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Marriage without purpose is like a car without fuel. It may look good on the outside, but it won’t go far.
2. Purpose without love is a struggle
On the other hand, marrying only for purpose, whether it’s for ministry, business, or societal expectations without genuine love can feel like a job instead of a joyful union. If you choose a partner just because they align with your calling but lack deep affection, your marriage may feel forced and duty-bound rather than fulfilling.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Purpose alone won’t carry you through the days when you need warmth, affection, and deep emotional connection.
3. Balance love with purpose
The best marriages are those where love and purpose align. Love brings joy, intimacy, and companionship, while purpose gives direction, meaning, and a shared vision. God’s design for marriage is not just about romance or function, it’s about a divine partnership that glorifies Him.
Before saying “I do,” ask yourself:
● Does this person truly love me, not just in words but in action?
● Do we share the same spiritual and life purpose?
● Will our marriage honor God and advance His kingdom?
God’s plan for marriage includes love, partnership, and purpose to work together. If you marry only for love, you may wake up one day wondering why you’re together. If you marry only for purpose, you might feel emotionally disconnected and unfulfilled.
It’s only when love and purpose meet that you experience a marriage that is not only joyful but also God-ordained. So, love and the tendency of your purpose fulfillment have to be found in the person you’re choosing for marriage.
A cheerful disposition is such a potent experience that it cannot be taken lightly.
It is the environment in which God thrives.
On the other hand, the devil thrives in an atmosphere of sadness, depression, and despondency.
Pro 17:22 (MSG) A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.
Gloom and pessimism can have a detrimental impact on one’s well-being.
Which of these two emotions would you prefer: joy or sadness?
I know you would choose joy.
The joy of the Lord is your strength!
As unmarried individuals, experiencing sadness or unhappiness during a particular season of life would only exacerbate those circumstances.
Instead, cultivate a state of joy, as it is the source of your inherent strength and resilience.
Let’s take a look at other translations.
Pro 17:22 (AMPC) A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
A happy mood is like taking the right medicine. It works wonders, as the Bible says.
Whether you’re single or in a relationship, make it a habit to find something funny to laugh about every day.
If you’ve been struggling to find the humor in things, here are a few ideas that might help:
Try to find something funny to laugh about every day.
How do you do that?
1. Schedule Laughing Time:
Make time each day to watch a funny movie, read a hilarious book, or play a game that makes you laugh.
2. Find the Humor:
Laugh at yourself and find the humor in everyday situations.
3. Be Playful:
Let loose and have some fun together! Engage in playful activities and games that bring laughter and joy to your relationship.
Did you know that sharing laughter can release oxytocin, the “love hormone”? It makes us feel attached and close to others, especially if you are already married. So, next time you’re feeling stressed or upset, try laughing about it and feeling the joy!
Have you ever prayed about something and then you imagine exactly how God should answer? Thinking, “He’ll do it this way, at this time, and everything will fall perfectly into place.” But then, nothing happens, or worse, God shows up in a way that feels completely opposite to what you expected. Frustrating, right? That was exactly how Naaman felt.
Naaman’s story teaches a valuable lesson. When prophet Elisha told him to wash in the River Jordan seven times, he was offended. Why? Because it didn’t align with how he thought God would work. Naaman expected a grand display of Elisha calling on God, waving his hand, and instantly healing him. Instead, the solution was simple and humbling.
How often do we do the same? We pray, but deep down, we’ve already imagined how God should answer. Maybe it’s healing, provision, or finding the right partner, and we’ve mapped out exactly how it should happen. Then, when God doesn’t follow our plan, we are disappointed, frustrated, or even offended.
But here is the truth. God’s ways are not ours, and His thoughts are far above ours as recorded in Isaiah 55:8. Like Naaman, we need to let go of our expectations and trust that God knows best. His instructions may seem unconventional, and His timing may stretch our patience, but His plans for us are always good (Jeremiah 29:11).
Are you waiting for God to send the right person, but it feels like the wait is too long? God is asking you to work on your character first. Perhaps in marriage, the journey looks nothing like the dream you envisioned. Whatever the case, always remember that God’s instructions may not always make sense to us, but obedience brings breakthroughs.
Naaman was only healed when he humbled himself and followed God’s word, even though it was not what he expected. In the same way, our blessings often lie on the other side of trust and surrender to God.
So today, let go of the“how” and“when.” Stop trying to control the process. Trust His plan, obey His word, and believe wholeheartedly that He has good things in store for you.
