God Speaks to WomenExemplo

PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE

To know and understand God's will for our lives, we must have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:6). Marriage is a Christ-centered covenant. To prepare for marriage we must first commit our lives to Christ. We cannot comprehend the things of God unless we have the mind of Christ. For the matters of the Spirit cannot be comprehended by the flesh (2 Corinthians 2:12-14). Therefore, having a Christ-centered marriage requires two people who are committed and obedient to Christ.

Preparing for marriage begins with working on ourselves. There is always room for improvement. Singleness is the perfect time to seek God's face to be healed of our brokenness and strengthened in our weak areas. Whether we are single by circumstance, choice, or calling, we all have suffered heartaches and disappointments. In Christ, two complete people become one. We must be whole and complete within ourselves to be a viable component of a healthy Spirit-led marriage.

Be patient in waiting for your mate. Our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us, so we must wait for His timing to be fulfilled in our lives. It is not uncommon for us to want the Lord God to move quickly on our behalf, especially when it concerns marriage. However, we must wait patiently if we desire a spouse who will walk with us in a God-ordained marriage designed to fulfill His purpose.

As we look toward the future in hope of marriage, we should prepare for life changes. Marriage requires a transition of reprioritizing our lives, changing our lifestyles, and reassessing outside relationships. Our husbands should become our priority, second only to our relationship with God. Our interactions with friends and family members will have to change to be in alignment with God's order for the family (Genesis 2:21-25, Ephesians 5:22-33).

Prepare for spiritual warfare. We are aware that Satan comes to destroy anything that exemplifies and glorifies God. Healthy families personify the Kingdom of God. We must be diligent in guarding our marriages or they will become the devil's playground. Adversity will come; however, when we are united in faith and in agreement with our spouses against the enemy he will be defeated.

PRAYER: God Almighty, grant me the patience to wait for You to unite me with the man of God You have chosen for me. Bless us to be prepared to walk together in the love, agreement, and power of a Christ-centered marriage. Amen.