Why is God keeping me single?

What do you do when you are tired of singleness and want marriage “right now”? Has God forgotten you and is ignoring the strong desires of your heart?

First, we must say that your conclusion that God had forgotten about you is incorrect.  God is all-knowing.  “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” (Hebrews 4:13) God is definitely aware of your longings. He knows all about you, much more than you know about yourself.  “Indeed, the very hairs on your head are numbered.” (Luke 12:7)  

He is a God of love and wisdom. Therefore, just because the door to love and marriage has not been opened to you does not mean He does not love you.  God may have another pathway for you and it may be just as fulfilling and positive as married life.  

The Apostle Paul speaks of the virtues of singleness in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35.  “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.  But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.  I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”

Although marriage and children are wonderful gifts from God, they are not given to everyone who asks.  Perhaps you have put too much emphasis on romance and marriage.  How do you know that if you married the person of your dreams that you would be happy?  Marriage has its challenges just as being single has its challenges.  The state of happiness is not contingent upon marriage or singleness.  

Happiness and contentment come from within regardless of your situation.  The Apostle Paul tells us,

“For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 

For the Christian both marriage and singleness are spiritual gifts from God.  The point of spiritual gifts is to serve the Lord with joy for as long as God permits.  In singleness, choose to focus on serving God for the indefinite future and let the question of marriage take care of itself, if and when God sees the time is right for you.  

You are a valuable member of the family of God whether you are single or married.  It is important to remember that all singles are complete persons in Christ and have a special opportunity to build up the body of Christ as they set an example for other single individuals to follow.  

To learn more about how to handle being single listen to “Christian and Single- What Does Life Look Like?”