Does God keep you from Marriage with a man because he is not the One?

Answer 1

There are many reasons that one man and one woman are not able to marry. Finances, family pressures, or simple incompatibility are some of the factors.

Frankly, "the love of your life" might not be! Looking in The Bible, consider the the story of Jacob and Rachel. While it is not immediately obvious, Jacob waited 20 years to marry Rachel. Does your wait mean that s/he is unavailable? Or does it mean that perhaps in this day of instant gratification, you might not have the patience to wait for a better opportunity?

Too often our society places speed ahead of commitment. One of the reasons for the high rate of divorce (currently about 50% in the US) might be this instant gratification culture that the US has bought into. When someone take the time to have a deeply personal relationship with a partner, marriage is the OUTCOME of the relationship, not the goal.

It might be that you need to assess your feelings about this person. Take a retreat, study your Bible, and pray about your situation. In a retreat (even in your bedroom), you can have the clarity to correctly assess what it is about this person that has convinced you that he is the one. Often a short term romance is not the start of a great marriage, but is just that...a short term romance.

Make a list. That's right, a list of things that you are looking for in a partner. Can he support you? Is he willing to work day to day...for the rest of your lives...to provide a home and be willing to support 37 kids? Joking about the number, but think about it! Is he willing to live in a studio apartment because money is tight? For that matter, are you willing to learn nutrition and cook...for the rest of your lives...nutritious meals at home every day?

Much goes into marriage and what I have outlined is just the beginning of the selection of a partner in marriage. Perhaps it is that you have not thought it through carefully and decided what you are willing to do..and what he is willing to do...in order to stay together.

God works in many ways to prepare us to be happy. If it is that this is the person for you, then maybe you need to examine your expectations. Are they too low or too high? How long are you willing to wait? Once again, look at Jacob and Rachel. Is waiting a good thing or a bad thing? Depends on your perspective.

"The love of your life" can change, sometimes in the blink of an eye. Examine the relationship, the circumstances, your expectations...and pray. God will show you, even if you don't want to be shown, what His Plan is for you. Don't ask if you don't want to know, for He will SURELY show you...in HIS Time.