CHRISTIAN SINGLES ARTICLES BY DR. JIM RIVES

Please understand, Christian singles, that a definition of stupidity (or insanity) is “doing the same things the same way over and over and expecting different results!” That is a strong statement but I invite you to REALLY think about it. Do you, or other Christian singles that you know, find yourself dreaming of a different life but you have not done any deep changes to contribute toward this change?

Life has a way of numbing us from reality. There are plenty of hurts and struggles that bathe us in disappointments to harden our views. In fact, if Christian singles are over the age of 21, I suggest that it is impossible for Christian singles to have a completely objective view of themselves. It is called conditioning and everyone experiences it.

What is your greatest hope? If it requires anything or anyone outside of you then it is beyond your control. In fact I would be so bold as to state that if Christian singles think that anything outside of themselves is necessary for Christian singles to find happiness and peace, they are being deceived. Yes, others can make major contributions to our lives but no one is necessary for you to experience peace and joy.

How have you been going about approaching the changes you want in your life? Christian singles have plenty of input from the world telling them what Christian singles should expect and how to go about it. The premise behind the world’s push is to make Christian singles feel inferior and incomplete. IF you are filling your life with approaches that you are learning from the world you will only achieve the object of the world’s goals – to keep you dissatisfied and searching. There is no way to be satisfied, for that is the last thing that the “world” wants you to be.

If Christian singles really would like to have different results, I have a recommendation for them. Sit down and consider how you are currently approaching your life. Are you mostly dealing with “surface” things and not paying attention to the underlying foundational issues? Do you find yourself running your life and only going to God when the results are not what you want? Here is a secret for you: God’s ways and promises do not work for part-time Christians. God’s ways really do not make “sense” to us if we stop and approach His principles the way we have been trained by the world. Consider what God tells us:

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Here is another factor to help Christian singles determine whether or not they are using God’s principles in seeking the best results in their lives. Is your focus on you – or on God? Ouch! That one always brings things into perspective.

Proverbs 3:6 Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.

Allow me to share some thoughts that come to mind as Christian singles consider how they are going about seeing results in their lives:

1. Is your focus on being all you can be as a great friend, or on finding a mate?

2. Do you place more attention on the surface features such as the physical or on character and deep friendship?

3. Are you a needy person who’s “driven” to fill those needs? Or are your needs met and you have some wants but they are not in control?

Most of us have lost our identity and are seeking to find it in others. That is another subject for Christian singles to consider, and I will be addressing that in the near future.

I am asking God’s Spirit to use this little article to prompt Christian singles to get serious about how they are approaching life. God really wants Christian singles to experience the victories and joy that they desire. However, He is limited in working in your life because you are not using the tools, principles, and His power on a committed, consistent basis. Many Christian singles have tried it their way for a LONG time. Dear, beloved Christian singles, don’t you think you owe it to God and yourself to take out the creator’s manual and do it His way?

Related Christian articles for singles: Christian Singles, are you feeling isolated? And: Christian Singles: Hurting people hurt others! And: Advice for Christian Singles: some Christian singles are asking "Please, God, Give me a break?" And: Advice for Christian Singles: Should a single Christian woman let a single Christian man know she is interested? And: Christian Singles: "Is it love?" And: Dear Pastor Jim: "Do you expect all Christian singles who want to be married to be happy being single?" And: Christian Dating: "Dear Christian Singles, what Criteria Do You Use for Dating other Christians?" And: Is Christianity An Excuse for Christian Singles to Be Passive? And: Finding the Will of God and Making godly Decisions And: Christian dating: "What are the “NORMAL” stages in dating for Christian singles?" And: "What about Christian Dating and Signals?" And: In Christian Dating is Chemistry important or not?

In His love,
Pastor Jim