Introduction
Marriage is something that will influence and affect your life both in this world and in the world to come. A sincere Christian will not advance his plans in this direction without the knowledge that God approves his course. He will not want to choose for himself, but will feel that God must choose for him. We are not to please ourselves. Those who are ruled by passion and impulse will have a bitter harvest to reap in this life, and their course may result in the loss of their souls. The character of the unbelieving may be similar to that of the young man to whom Jesus addressed the words, “One thing thou lackest”; that was the one thing needful.
1. Love God
Mathew 22:37 “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” A true relationship with God, will attract a genuine Godly mate. Remember “You always attract who you truly are.” Christ and Him crucified should become the theme of our thoughts and stir the deepest emotions of our souls.
2. Be Diligent
Colossians 3:23-24 “ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ.”Resolve to reach a high and holy standard; make your mark high; act with earnest purpose as did Daniel, steadily, perseveringly; and nothing that the enemy can do will hinder your daily improvement. Notwithstanding inconveniences, changes, perplexities, you may constantly advance in mental vigor and moral power.
3. Be Wise
James 1:5 ” If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” When your will is in harmony with the divine will, you will be in harmony with one another; you will have Christ by your side as a counselor. Enoch walked with God. So may every laborer for Christ. You may say with the psalmist, “I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8).
4. Be Honest
Proverbs 10:9 ” He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. Represent your true self. Do not hide behind a facade. Strict honesty must be cultivated. We can go through the world but once; we cannot come back to rectify any mistakes; therefore every move made should be with godly fear and careful consideration.
5. Be Patient
Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;.Patience must have its perfect work or we cannot be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Troubles and afflictions are appointed unto us, and shall we bear them all patiently or shall we make everything bitter by our complaining? The gold is put into the furnace that the dross may be removed.
6. Pursue Healing
Psalm 147:3 ” He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their [a]wounds.” A broken vessel will leak and attract those who will not stop the leakage but promote it. Unpack your emotional baggage. Heal from any past trauma. Broken people attract broken people many times. Only God can heal any brokeness and to attract a healthy relationship ensure you are also emotionally healthy as well.
7. Make God the one who defines who you are
Psalms 139:14 “ I will praise You, for [a]I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. See yourself from God’s eyes, he sees perfection. Yes, he does to him, you are just right. For men, be one with purely manly character traits. For the ladies, one who is prudent in all her ways and not vain.
8. Build Your Self Awareness
Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Galatians 6:3 “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” Proverbs 20:5 ” The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.“
9. Live out your core values
Psalms 143:8 “Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Prayerfully identify the values that form the core of who you are and live them out each day.
10. Be Mature
1 Corinthians 13:11 ” When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Grow up! To be anticipating a Godly mate means that you are no longer a child. You have now grown up and are preparing to settle down into a marriage ordained by God. You need to understand the principle love. Its not the romance you read in the many books or watch in the movies. Love as defined in 2 Corinthians 13 is a born from a heart that has learnt the love as defined by God.