of Marriage Preparation

GROWING • PREPARING • TRUSTING GOD

Discover the season you’re in as you grow closer to Jesus Christ and prepare your heart for the covenant of marriage.

Spiritually preparing for marriage is about more than waiting for the right man to come along. It’s about growing closer to Jesus Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, and becoming spiritually mature women who understand what it means to enter into a marriage covenant.

Sometimes we’re so focused on finding the right person that we don’t give enough attention to our own spiritual growth. We may have expectations about the kind of husband we want, the marriage we hope to have, and the life we envision sharing with someone. There’s nothing wrong with desiring these things, but we must also ask ourselves whether we’re allowing Heavenly Father to prepare us for the responsibilities that come with marriage.

There are different seasons of preparation, and each one gives us an opportunity to learn something important about ourselves and our relationship with Jesus Christ. Some seasons reveal areas where we need healing. Others teach us to trust God, surrender our plans, or become more disciplined in our walk with Him. Wherever we are in our preparation, we can be confident that the Holy Spirit will help us grow as we yield ourselves to His leadership.

WHAT SEASON ARE YOU IN?

DISCOVER • RECOGNIZE • GROW

We don’t all experience spiritual growth in the same way or at the same pace. What one woman is learning about trusting God may be different from what another woman is learning about forgiveness, obedience, or spiritual maturity. Even when we share the same desire for marriage, the areas where we need to grow may be very different.

The Five Seasons of Marriage Preparation are designed to help us take a closer look at where we are spiritually. They aren’t steps that we must complete in a particular order, and they don’t determine when or whether we’ll marry.

Instead, they help us recognize the areas of our lives where we may need to give the Holy Spirit greater freedom to work.

As you explore these seasons, consider which one best describes what you’re experiencing right now. You may recognize yourself in more than one, and that’s perfectly fine. The important thing is that we’re willing to examine our hearts and allow Heavenly Father to continue His work in us.

SURRENDER • TRUST • OBEY

GROWING THROUGH EVERY SEASON

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT) reminds us, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”

We don’t always recognize the value of a season while we’re going through it. Sometimes we’re so eager to move forward that we overlook what Heavenly Father is teaching us right where we are. We may become discouraged because our circumstances haven’t changed, even though we’ve been praying and doing our best to remain faithful.

But spiritual growth isn’t measured by how quickly our circumstances change. We can be growing tremendously in Christ while our relationship status remains exactly the same. We may be learning to control our emotions, forgive someone who hurt us, make better decisions, or trust God in ways we never have before.

We should never consider these things small accomplishments. They’re evidence of the spiritual growth that takes place when we surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit. And whether marriage is in our near future or further down the road, that growth will serve us well in every area of our lives.

EXAMINE • REFLECT • RESPOND

TAKE AN HONEST LOOK

It’s good for us to examine our hearts from time to time, especially when we’re praying and preparing for something as important as marriage. We may discover that we’ve made progress in some areas while there are others where we still need to grow.

These questions can help us think more carefully about our preparation and the areas where we need the Holy Spirit’s help.

Are we giving our relationship with Jesus Christ the attention it deserves, or have we become more focused on finding a husband?

Are there past hurts, fears, or unhealthy attitudes that continue to influence how we approach relationships?

Have we surrendered our expectations about marriage to Heavenly Father, or are we still determined to have things our own way?

Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions, especially when our emotions and desires are pulling us in another direction?

What changes have we noticed in our spiritual growth, and where do we recognize that we still need to mature?

We don’t have to know when marriage will come, or whether it will be part of God’s plan for our lives, to make good use of the season we’re in. There is much to be gained from learning to trust Heavenly Father, becoming more familiar with His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to help us grow.

Philippians 1:6 reminds us of Paul’s confidence that God, who began a good work in believers, will continue His work until it is finished when Jesus Christ returns. That’s an encouraging reminder that our spiritual growth is an ongoing process. Heavenly Father hasn’t finished working in us, and we shouldn’t stop making ourselves available to Him.

Wherever you find yourself in these seasons, keep walking with Jesus Christ. Continue praying, studying His Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions. Marriage may be something you’re looking forward to, but the woman you’re becoming in Christ matters right now..