Trust God With Your Love Story

Two months ago I married my best friend and the love of my life. Our wedding day was quite literally the most surreal day of my life, not simply because I was getting married, but because of what the day represented, the journey it took to get there, and the man I was marrying.

As a woman who didn’t marry until my mid-30’s, I can honestly say that my journey to find love, was a long and arduous one. Full of heartbreak, lonely nights, and tears, but also learning experiences, breakthrough, and incredible gifts.

I was thinking back the other day to the years before I met my husband, and quite honestly I’m thankful that I made the most of those years. BUT the one thing I wish I would have done more while I was single is learn to trust God more. It’s so easy as a single person, when you’re in the thick of it, after one too many heartbreaks and goodbyes to begin to doubt God. To wonder if He actually sees you, and question His ultimate plan. Admittedly that happened quite often with me. On the outside I put on a pretty confident veneer, but on the inside, quite often I was scared and unsure if God truly had my best in mind when it came to my love story.

I prayed daily for strength to trust Him with the process, but trust often was the hardest part. Now, looking back I wonder why I ever doubted. Being on the this side of my story, I’m able to see God’s faithfulness in it all. I’m able to see the reason for the heart break, and the hard goodbyes. I’m able to see every painful situation and be so thankful, because those experiences are what made me who I am for my husband.

But some of you are not on the other side. Instead, you are right where I was, perhaps wondering where God is in the midst of the struggle and the heartbreak. Let me just assure you, you are not alone. As human beings, the need and desire for intimacy is at the root of our very being. God designed you and me that way. We were created for intimacy. And because of that, in those times of loneliness, often the easiest thing to do is try to fulfill that longing  by running into the arms of a false love…which in fact is no love it all. I will admit, I fell victim to that from time to time as a single woman. And what I discovered is that in the end, false love always just leaves you more lonely and confused than when you started. But God’s love isn’t like false love. It’s real and it’s true. Because of that, it’s the only love that has the power to heal your heart and give you the strength to trust. Finding healing and comfort in God’s arms was the only thing that helped get me through those lonely seasons. And quite honestly I’m learning that that is a pivotal truth to understand even in marriage. Because no matter how wonderful and fulfilling my marriage is, God is the only one who can fulfill me ultimately. 

So if there’s anything that you get from this article, I pray that it is this…TRUST GOD ULTIMATELY. It may feel less tangible initially than running into the arms of false love. But I can assure you…the more you press into Him during those times of loneliness, the more real and tangible His love will become. No matter what you think right now, I assure you, God has your best in mind. My prayer for you today is that you will have the strength to let go, live fully, trust deeply, make the most of today, and know that God has you. You have so much to look forward to my friend.