When I think back to my single days, I am very thankful I had a group of girlfriends with whom to hang out during the years before I got married. The time of waiting to meet and marry my husband would have been so much longer if not for a lovely group of Christians who could spur on one another in faith, laugh endlessly and fill the weekend hours together.
But it isn’t always that easy for everyone and social media hasn’t alleviated the situation. Today’s singles are not only challenged with navigating the single life in a society where the idea of love and marriage is often distorted and confusing, but they also have to swipe through their feed filled with stories and photos of their dating, engaged and married friends. It is no wonder we see so many Christian singles rushing into dating and pursuing unhealthy relationships.
What can we do to love and help today’s singles and tomorrow’s marriages?
Here lies an opportunity to lead singles in truth, provide direction and connect in a way that will encourage them to wait on God, to seek Him for a marriage partner and hold fast to biblical values.
Five Ways We Can Encourage Christian Singles
1. Point them always to the faithfulness of God.
It is easy as a single person to feel lonely and forgotten when everyone else is pairing up like the couples on Noah’s ark. Remind singles that the one whom they trust with their salvation and eternity can surely take care of the details of their love life.
He knows every thought, every fear and every disappointment. He sees them and most definitely, has not forgotten them. Singles need to be reassured that God is faithful.
2. Model strong, godly marriages.
Singles’ groups are wonderful, but singles also need mentoring from married couples. Not all Christians grew up in a healthy, faith-filled home. Invite singles from your church for lunch after worship. Include them in Bible study groups. Meet them for coffee. Build relationships. Allow them to see what it means to be a godly husband and wife.
3. Encourage spiritual growth in every season.
No matter what our season of life, we all need to be growing in our faith and living a life of surrender to the Lord. Inspire singles to make the most of this time and grow in a vibrant relationship with God.
4. Direct Singles to opportunities to serve.
Some of my favorite activities that filled my single days were the many opportunities for ministry. Encourage singles to serve. One benefit of helping others is that it broadens our perspective and propels us to think beyond ourselves. Serving is a great prescription for a lonely heart.
5. Inspire them with true love stories.
Have you shared how you met your husband or wife with the singles in your church? I have always enjoyed the opportunity to tell about the six-foot-five guy I met on a blind date and ended up marrying as a part of God’s wonderful plan. Tell your story but also encourage from the Scriptures. Genesis 24 holds a beautiful account of how God arranged for the very woman Isaac was to marry. His hand is over the entire story. Singles can find great encouragement and inspiration from this story of God’s plan for finding love.
Is God entrusting you with encouraging singles? How can you be a blessing to those who are waiting on God for love and marriage? {eoa}
Kristen Tiber and her husband, Dan, met on a blind date 15 years ago. Two years later, they married and now have two elementary-aged children. Kristen has a degree in Christian thought/Christian ministry and spent many years in part-time and volunteer youth work, yet God led her in a different direction for her professional career. For seven years, Kristen worked with countless couples as a wedding planner.
She loves Jesus, planning parties and teaching youth and young adults to follow God with their whole heart. Kristen has been blogging for six years and is the author of Teach Me to Serve. Currently, she and her husband teach the high school Sunday School class at their church.
This article originally appeared at triciagoyer.com.
Janet Perez Eckles 
Shawn Akers 
Abby Trivett