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Joyfully Single in a Couples' World
Many facets of our world appear biased toward the couples’ lifestyle; there’s often an insinuation in advertisements, private conversations, and public gatherings that being alone means being unfulfilled--that singleness is a second-class status. How could that be true? In Joyfully Single in a Couples’ World, Bible teacher Harold J. Sala clearly states:
“What I want to accomplish is to help singles understand that they can find contentment and peace where they are right now, that they don’t have to be married to be happy. I want to help them come to grips with who they are and to help them to discover where God wants them to go with their lives and futures. Finding God’s help to meet the present need is the key to peace and fulfillment.”
Chapters on making peace with your dreams, handling other people’s expectations, the beauty of friendships, and God’s will guide readers to great joy in the here and now.
“What I want to accomplish is to help singles understand that they can find contentment and peace where they are right now, that they don’t have to be married to be happy. I want to help them come to grips with who they are and to help them to discover where God wants them to go with their lives and futures. Finding God’s help to meet the present need is the key to peace and fulfillment.”
Chapters on making peace with your dreams, handling other people’s expectations, the beauty of friendships, and God’s will guide readers to great joy in the here and now.
133 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1998
17 people are currently reading
226 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 16, 2013
I'm guilty of throwing my own prejudice on this book, since the copy I have is a translated material. But having to read it in Tagalog did not serve as an encumbrance to my understanding of the book's central topic: that singleness and married life are both to be surrendered to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. For our fathers, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew7:11) Whether you have to live your life blessed singly or to live it with someone whom God has given, you can be sure that it is under the good will of the Lord for "we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) Knowing this, you can find contentment in God through Jesus wherever you are in your life right now.
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September 2, 2013A friend of mine insisted me to read this book and took me 2 weeks and finished it. Sala's principles of being 'JOYfully' (since my nickname was JOY, too) SINGLE was somehow overwhelming. I was blessed and thankful. Whenever people see me reading, they all have the same impression, and it's, "Hey, you're reading that? You really are serious of NOT marrying and remain single ALL YOUR LIFE?" But..they're all wrong. The book only tells to live your life, while you are single, glorifying God in your body, mind and soul. That's what matters after all. I'd definitely share this to my friends. :)
August 29, 2012
Meron pang worse sa pagiging Single, ang ikinasal sa maling tao!
September 14, 2017
Sa panahon ngayon na uso ang magkarelationship kahit wala pa sa tamang edad at panahon, may mga tao parin naman na sinisikap alagaan at protektahan ang sarili nila para sa tamang tao at sa tamang panahon. Isa ito sa mga librong nabasa ko na dati ilang taon na ang nakakaraan pero nabasa ko muli at ngayon may mas malalim na pagkakaintindi. Paano nga ba talaga magiging masaya kahit nag-iisa? Posible ba talaga?
May 17, 2013
It helps me a lot. Very inspiring and helpful.
September 29, 2015
Interesting and inspiring!
November 7, 2019
Binasa ko ang Tagalog version. Maganda dahil madali lang siyang basahin (booklet lang, hindi ko alam kung mas mahaba pa ang English version).
For me, there's nothing here that I didn't already know/heard of. Pwedeng dahil pare-parehong pakikipagsapalaran ang buhay single, na marami ka nang naririnig na advice mula sa pamilya, kamag-anak, kaibigan, etc. Pero pwede ring may mga pagkakataon na sa tingin ko stereo-typical ang pagtalakay sa ibang scenario rito.
Ang daming anecdotes at tingin ko naman na effective yun sa booklet na ito for examples, pero sometimes it's unnecessary sa point na tinatalakay. Minsan napapaisip din ako kung gawa-gawa ba or totoo ang mga yun (o kung totoo man, may consent ba mula sa kanila?). Karamihan naman ay galing sa experience ng manunulat sa pagko-conduct ng mga counselling so naiintindihan ko rin na maaari ngang nangyayari.
Hindi rin ako sang-ayon na kapag kasal ka na at nakatali ka na sa isang mapang-abusong relasyon ay too late na yun para sa'yo (page 48). Pwede kang umalis sa isang mapang-abusong relasyon, para sa ikabubuti ninyong dalawa (at ng anak ninyo kung meron man). Sa tingin ko hindi dapat isakripisyo ang health mo (physical, mental, emotional, etc.) para masabi na nanatili kang tapat sa sinumpaan ninyong dalawa. Pero sang-ayon ako na isa 'to sa dapat mong tanungin sa sarili mo bago ka magpakasal.
Huli, napansin ko na may end notes ang author para sa mga quoted statements. Na-appreciate ko ito. Mas maigi sana kung ang mga nabanggit niyang "mga pag-aaral", yung mga statistics etc., ay maibahagi rin sa mambabasa. Nakakatulong 'to sa pag-support ng ideas na tinatalakay sa libro, at nakakatulong din sa mambabasa para may malaman pa beyond what this book has to offer.
To sum it up, I agree to the whole point of the book: Singleness is not a sickness. Enjoy our single lives, and live to be the right partner. So if it is destined that you are to marry, you will be prepared.
For me, there's nothing here that I didn't already know/heard of. Pwedeng dahil pare-parehong pakikipagsapalaran ang buhay single, na marami ka nang naririnig na advice mula sa pamilya, kamag-anak, kaibigan, etc. Pero pwede ring may mga pagkakataon na sa tingin ko stereo-typical ang pagtalakay sa ibang scenario rito.
Ang daming anecdotes at tingin ko naman na effective yun sa booklet na ito for examples, pero sometimes it's unnecessary sa point na tinatalakay. Minsan napapaisip din ako kung gawa-gawa ba or totoo ang mga yun (o kung totoo man, may consent ba mula sa kanila?). Karamihan naman ay galing sa experience ng manunulat sa pagko-conduct ng mga counselling so naiintindihan ko rin na maaari ngang nangyayari.
Hindi rin ako sang-ayon na kapag kasal ka na at nakatali ka na sa isang mapang-abusong relasyon ay too late na yun para sa'yo (page 48). Pwede kang umalis sa isang mapang-abusong relasyon, para sa ikabubuti ninyong dalawa (at ng anak ninyo kung meron man). Sa tingin ko hindi dapat isakripisyo ang health mo (physical, mental, emotional, etc.) para masabi na nanatili kang tapat sa sinumpaan ninyong dalawa. Pero sang-ayon ako na isa 'to sa dapat mong tanungin sa sarili mo bago ka magpakasal.
Huli, napansin ko na may end notes ang author para sa mga quoted statements. Na-appreciate ko ito. Mas maigi sana kung ang mga nabanggit niyang "mga pag-aaral", yung mga statistics etc., ay maibahagi rin sa mambabasa. Nakakatulong 'to sa pag-support ng ideas na tinatalakay sa libro, at nakakatulong din sa mambabasa para may malaman pa beyond what this book has to offer.
To sum it up, I agree to the whole point of the book: Singleness is not a sickness. Enjoy our single lives, and live to be the right partner. So if it is destined that you are to marry, you will be prepared.
February 2, 2022
Very nice to read
December 27, 2016
Although this book was written a long time ago, its ideas still feel relevant to me. I love this isn't a book about how to find The One, or how to increase your chances of snagging The One. It simply reminds you that a single life is just as wonderful as a married life, as long as it is purpose-driven and God-directed. It gives tips on how to re-focus your life from obsessing over what you don't have (a romantic partner) to what you do have- a loving family, friends, a wonderful career, skills, talent, etc.
July 20, 2017
This is my second time to read this book. This is a must have for all the single women. Before you call the shots to self pitty party!!! read reality and find the joy in blessed singleness instead of feeling sorry but Rejoice. masarap basahin bago ka pumag ibig ulit !!!!! sarap basahin araw araw!
I am proud to say that I am Blessed as a SINGLE. After being in an 8 years of relationship cracks of wrong decisions came out. Its true that conflict of difference will arise in a long term relationship. I realized that having different levels of set of goals and purpose you want to achieved makes a difference in pursuing a relationship. This book was advised by my friend and co worker to read on in my current season in my life. I learned that I have been believing this non sense lies on my old relationship. This book helped me to test my conscience in establishing my next relationship. The point of the book is to live happily being single and not just single life but always stay in the word of the Lord. This is a must have for every girls who have an immature approach on what relationship should be. The price is affordable since this is just a summary of the book in my language in Filipino . Until now it is always in my purse to remind me about the lies and the reality that I should believe in when it comes to being single and happy. I like H J, SALA straightforward advice on how we should value the meaning of being single. Getting married immediately will not make us happy. It is a lie and sometimes we cannot or a person will not change for you. Abandon false lies we women believe. Being secured to Lord makes us more wiser. Each in everyone of us as a woman has a God shaped whole in which God can only fill it. Happiness is not dependent in material things, love ones, success and most all earthly pleasures. SINGLE WOMAN ABANDON the lies of happiness when you get married "thinking approach" I am no currently rereading the book to solidify my self. To God Be Glory Thank you HarolD J Sala.
I am proud to say that I am Blessed as a SINGLE. After being in an 8 years of relationship cracks of wrong decisions came out. Its true that conflict of difference will arise in a long term relationship. I realized that having different levels of set of goals and purpose you want to achieved makes a difference in pursuing a relationship. This book was advised by my friend and co worker to read on in my current season in my life. I learned that I have been believing this non sense lies on my old relationship. This book helped me to test my conscience in establishing my next relationship. The point of the book is to live happily being single and not just single life but always stay in the word of the Lord. This is a must have for every girls who have an immature approach on what relationship should be. The price is affordable since this is just a summary of the book in my language in Filipino . Until now it is always in my purse to remind me about the lies and the reality that I should believe in when it comes to being single and happy. I like H J, SALA straightforward advice on how we should value the meaning of being single. Getting married immediately will not make us happy. It is a lie and sometimes we cannot or a person will not change for you. Abandon false lies we women believe. Being secured to Lord makes us more wiser. Each in everyone of us as a woman has a God shaped whole in which God can only fill it. Happiness is not dependent in material things, love ones, success and most all earthly pleasures. SINGLE WOMAN ABANDON the lies of happiness when you get married "thinking approach" I am no currently rereading the book to solidify my self. To God Be Glory Thank you HarolD J Sala.
September 2, 2013
One of the best introduction and conclusion that I have read concerning singles. It covers friendship relationships, how to handle remarks from married folks about, how to overcome feelings of loneliness and sexual energy and there is also a section for engaged coupled.
It is very informative and worth reading.
"Don't avoid your responsibilities today, while pondering the great questions about tomorrow. If you know next step -even though it maybe a very short one- take it."
It is very informative and worth reading.
"Don't avoid your responsibilities today, while pondering the great questions about tomorrow. If you know next step -even though it maybe a very short one- take it."
December 24, 2019
Reassuring
When I started reading this book I was recently single & anxious. What a great heart position to get into such a book.
Harold Sala delves into not just singleness but also the riot to our emotions in singleness. Do I feel I'm enough? Do I trust God w/ my future? Do I believe He's writing my love story?
And that's where the gold really is; in seeing the things that underpin how we perceive our singleness. Definitely worth the read.
When I started reading this book I was recently single & anxious. What a great heart position to get into such a book.
Harold Sala delves into not just singleness but also the riot to our emotions in singleness. Do I feel I'm enough? Do I trust God w/ my future? Do I believe He's writing my love story?
And that's where the gold really is; in seeing the things that underpin how we perceive our singleness. Definitely worth the read.
August 9, 2016
The first star is for Harold's knowledge of worldy issues often faced by singles which I never knew existed outside of my shell. The second star is for the "getting-trapped-in-a-room-with-your-grandfather-for-24hours" kind of experience, where you just sit and listen to his stories and all sorts of practical wisdom...until your eyes drop!
June 11, 2013
A book I bought months ago to show my sister that I was serious about being single, but I didn't read it right away because I didn't really want to. Now I did and it's okay. But I like that it was so fast and easy to absorb.
July 28, 2013
Insightful book. I love how Harold Sala weaves snapshots of life to make a point. This book is actually for Singles and Couples alike:)
May 21, 2016
Interesting approach based on life experience and Scriptures.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews