The Corona Survival Guide for SinglesSample

A word for widows/widowers

I can’t imagine what you’re going through.

Singles come in many shapes and sizes. The young man who wants to, and probably will, marry some day. The older bachelorette who is comfortable in living like Jesus, a lifelong single. The guy who didn’t want the divorce, but his wife filed anyway.

But then there’s the widow (or widower). The one who found love and, hopefully, sustained that love until death did them part.

If that’s you, I can’t imagine what you’re going through. What you wouldn’t give to be isolated with the one you love! What you wouldn’t pay to be quarantined for weeks with that voice, that face, that laugh! Corona would lose its sting if only they were still here . . .

But I refuse to believe that you widows or widowers are less than blessed. As a Christian, I cannot agree with that conclusion, no matter how wonderful she was or how deeply you still grieve his death.

Because, through faith in Jesus, you have Someone even better than your spouse— you have GOD.

I left his name capitalized so that you would not think too little of GOD. Reduce GOD to a so-so “God” or a generic “god” and you will be in spiritual and emotional trouble. But force your heart to remember that GOD is glorious, exalted, magnified, and sufficient, and you have discovered the secret to being content, even living through a global pandemic.

Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, eventually remembered this fact, which freed him from bitterness and restored his joy. He sang, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (verse 26). GOD is your portion too, and he will keep your heart strong, even after your spouse’s heart has failed.

In addition, if you have wonderful memories of your spouse, you are one step away from worshiping today:

If your husband was thoughtful, always finding the right words to make you smile, how much more thoughtful is GOD whose words have changed billions of hearts?!

If your wife was selfless, sacrificing her comfort to bring joy to your day, how much more selfless is the GOD who gave his one and only Son?!

If your husband was patient, putting up with your personal struggles and opening his arms to your tears, how much more patient is the GOD who waits for his prodigal sons and daughters to come home?!

If your wife was beautiful, taking your breath away when she put on that dress, how much more beautiful is the GOD who created beauty so you could catch a glimpse of his?!

I could and should keep going. You should too.

Because this GOD is the eternal GOD. He doesn’t die. We never have to attend his funeral. We never have to cry at night, wishing we could only have one more day with him.

Because he is the great I AM, the GOD who always is. He is with us. He is with you.

The coronavirus might have stirred up in you new feelings of grief. Oh, how you wish your spouse was still here! But please remember to grieve with hope, recalling Who is still present in the room.

GOD is here! And he is all you need to be okay today. 

Want more on this topic? Try Christ > Corona here!