In this day and age, one of the requirements of happiness is having a significant other. If we are in a relationship, everything is going to be fine. We have been trained to think that if you are single, then there is something wrong with you; you’re too big, too little, too short, too tall, or just “too ugly”. Those thoughts just hurt you and make you feel bad about yourself!

Being single is okay. While we may not feel that way if we have just gotten out of a relationship, our “okay” will eventually be the reality that we are living in. As time passes, we learn the most about ourselves after a breakup – which would technically be when we are single. The pain of a breakup or of breaking up with someone else can be really difficult to get through and sort out. We thankfully have resources to feel better about ourselves.

We have friends or the ability to make some friends. In my life, it feels like I make the best friends when I am not even thinking about being in a relationship. Our friends really get us through the highs and lows, especially those of us still in our teens. As we get older, we tend to realize that more and more. My closest friends have been there for me when I thought I was completely alone. I don't even talk to some of those people I thought were my friends, anymore. Friends may last only for a season, but so does being single.

Our family also helps us. They are the people who know us better than anyone else. Most of them have seen us grow up. They know what we like and what gets on our nerves the most. My family might know exactly what to say to make me mad, but they also know what to say to make me feel good about myself. They encourage me in ways that no one else can. The way that we are connected with our families is unique and special to each family. We have to be thankful for the family we have while we have them because someday all we will have is how they made us feel and some distant memories that we can recall.

We also have this time of singleness to learn about what God wants for us and for our future. We can never learn too much about what the Bible has to say to us. The things we learn can teach us for years to come. Our faith shapes us and how we live. God has big plans for each of us. So, we might be single right now. And that's okay.

Take pride in your singleness. It won’t last forever.

Good luck this week!

Sydney