The Blessing of Being Single

Many Christian singles long to be married and feel that being single is some warped punishment. Having been single most of my adult life, I’ve come to recognize that being unmarried has many benefits. The first three weeks of my three-year marriage were great. We moved in together, went on our honeymoon and enjoyed the benefits of our combined resources from health insurance to income. However, one thing I quickly learned was that just as we shared resources, we shared the results of bad decisions, and we shared character flaws. Now that I am six years out of that marriage, I truly appreciate the many blessings of being single. Allow me to share.

1. Giving. When you are single, you can give your time, money, and talent to individuals and institutions. Yes, you should prayerfully consider major commitments of time and money, but you don’t have to factor in the fear, selfishness, or lack of understanding in a spouse.

2. Focus. During years or even decades of being single, you have the time to focus on self-improvement, hobbies or education. Additionally, this is a time to really get to know God in an intimate way.

3. Freedom. Want to go on a missionary trip to Africa for a year? If you’re single, and your finances are squared away, you can do it. Want to immerse yourself in French culture for a month? While you are single, you don’t have to clear this plan with anyone other than your employer.

With every season in life, there are benefits. Sometimes, we have to make the effort to look for the good in our circumstances. I have every intention of remarrying, but if it never happens or doesn’t happen for several years, I will continue to thrive during my season of singleness.