Singles Dealing with Temptation and Bitterness
By editor Andrea Hughes, Counselor, Speaker, Singles & Family Life Minister
 Everyone has to deal with temptation and
sometimes we're even tempted to be bitter about some of life's trials
and circumstances. Temptations are even good sometimes because they
can make us stronger in character. However singles face some particular
temptations that have their own twist to them.
Take for instance time and money. Many singles find they have quite a bit to play around with.
There is the temptation to squander all this extra time with lots of
frivolous activities and expenditures, as the world does, rather than
meditate on such questions as: "How might I use this extra time and
money to further advance God's kingdom coming?" "What will I be able
to say when I am asked to give an account of the "talents" I was given
to work with?" "Will I have provided shelter for someone needing a home,
refuge, or emergency shelter - near or far, visited some sick, in prison,
or shut ins on a regular basis to minister healing, setting someone free
from loneliness (even my own) by bringing Jesus to them personally or
by a letter, by phone and or funds, provided clothing to anyone needing it
- near or far?" "Am I spending so much time and money on myself -
hording in the bank, staying "fashionably correct", hitting all the right
nightlife places, cruises, trips to conferences and restaurants, educational
and career advancement that I have not shared this with someone who may
not be able to afford any of these luxuries, who is barely making it?
Do I even know any such people, personally or have I surrounded myself
with so many of the elite, "arrived people" that even Jesus with his down home
mixing-with-the-common-people self would not be comfortable or even allowed in
my social sphere?"
Hmm. What would God say to us? How about meditating on:
Matthew 6:19-21, Matt. 25:14-30, & 31-46, Luke 14:12-14. Also you may want
to see the movie Hotel Rawanda, the best modern display of a man doing
Luke 16:1-10, wisely making friends with mammon that this editor has seen.
Then there is the question of bitterness.
Many singles, especially in the D.C. area, find themselves staying single
much longer than planed. Not only does it seem incredulous and quite an
unexpected, unpleasant surprise, for many it also begins to rub on the
nerves and patience. There is not only the temptation to give up waiting
on Jesus in chastity and or abstinence from premarital sex (after all,
seems like everyone is having all the fun); there is also the temptation
to be disappointed, angry, and even bitter with God.
Now, it's not that God can't take us and all these
emotions, after all He is the one who created us emotional beings and He gets
angry and disappointed too. He says: "Be angry and sin not." Ephesians 4:26 And
His chosen people, Israel, were forever disappointing him. Right?
However, what about this bitterness with God that shows up in our bearing, our interaction
with people - irritability, coldness, harshness, disagreeableness, unfruitfulness,
self-righteousness? Have you ever stopped to meditate on why you may have been
selected to be single? What God might be saving you from or for? Have you ever
wondered why some saved singles seem genuinely happy while many married, divorced,
or separated seem so sad? Why God didn't relegate "peace beyond understanding"
and "joy unspeakable" only to married people but said all believers regardless
of status, age, country born in, etc. can have them?
Therefore it would seem
that married people really don't have a corner on joy, peace, and the abundant
life. Alleluia! We can all have it. Now what about you?
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