The Wait.

Endurance means: "the fact or power of enduring or bearing pain, hardships, etc. The ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina. Lasting quality; duration."

I've been reading "Boundless Webzine" as of late, and I found this to be rather relative to the topic of Endurance/patience. [Read the whole article here]

"Between the Internet and credit cards, we buy what we want with alarming swiftness. Pay a little extra and you can have it tomorrow thank to FedEx. Rather than taking the time to cook, we can have our food right away from restaurants, take-outs, or the microwave. Sex — real or virtual — is well within reach without patiently awaiting marriage.

The places where patience is required show us how impatient we really are. Think bumper-to-bumper traffic, slow service, long lines at the supermarket, and old magazines in the waiting room at most doctors' offices. You get the idea and, in fact, just thinking about it is making you feel impatient."

And just how do we, as Christian women, wait for things like...oh, say...MARRIAGE?

Matthew 28:20
~ Two halves don't make a whole in relationships
~ Don't waste your time thinking and wondering if 'he's the one'
    +Psalm 37:1
~ Spend your single time chasing after the woman God wants you to be:
    +Proverbs 31

6 Steps A Woman Must Master In Her Season of Singleness

   

1. Emotional Stability

          *Proverbs 31:25
Now, most of you may be able to shout a resounding amen to the fact that women are known to be emotional. But we need to know that God created us women as emotional beings, but we often allow how we "feel" to get the best of us. Emotional people in general just are not fun people to be around, as you can never expect what's going to set them off next.

To be stable in your emotions will save a whole heap of heartache in the future. To be stable means this: "not likely to fall or give way, as a structure, support, foundation; able or likely to continue or last; firmly established; enduring or permanent; resistant to sudden change or deterioration." Would you like to be known as the woman who's emotions didn't rule her, but the woman who ruled over her emotions? Stability is key. Becoming emotionally stable is learning to reason with a sound mind and to listen to wisdom over emotions. Emotional stability not only applies to relationships, but to all aspects of our daily lives.

How does one get emotionally stable? You need to get into the Word (Psalm 119:9-16). You must take thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). Be accountable to a close friend (Proverbs 27:17, 1 Peter 5:8). Be smart! Don't let your emotions guide you!

2. Sexual Purity

          *1 Corinthians 6:16-20

To be said simply, Don't allow yourself to be in compromising situations. Take a break from dating (consecration!). Develop healthy relations ships with your gender! 

3. Develop Healthy Friendships 

When girls share what's on their hearts with people, we tend to develop fondness for them. Share with your male friends what you would feel comfortable sharing with a group of people. *Your guy friends are someone's future husband, so you need to guard their hearts just as you would like to have your future husband's heart guarded.* When you develop friendships with a guy in a healthy group setting, you are able to evaluate his character, interests, likes and dislikes, etc., [which will allow you to see if he is a potential].

4. Determine Your Physical Standards

    If you have them (boundaries), you won't be as tempted to give way to those pressures! Set the lines of what you feel is comfortable for you.

5. What Is Your Vision?

      *Proverbs 29:18

You have to know where you are going in life, and who you are in general before you can determine who you are going to be with. Ask yourself these questions:

-What is your greatest passion in life?
-What are your talents?
-Would you like to be in full-time ministry, or would you like a career?
-If you would like to be in full-time ministry, what type of ministry would you like to be involved in? Do you want to work in the US, overseas, or both?
-If in full-time ministry, what type of people would you like to work with: children, singles, youth, young adults, etc.?
-If you are planning to pursue a career outside of ministry, how would you use that for God's glory and to help His people?
-Are you interested in going to college? If so, what are you interested in majoring in and what are your top five colleges?

6. Make A Dream List

How will you know if "he's" right for you if you don't know what you're looking for? Search your heart and discover your desires for a spouse [be specific if that helps you]. Here are some simple examples:

• Faith: Is he a born-again, on-fire-for-God Christian who knows God more than anyone you've ever met? This is the most important question you will ever ask yourself when it comes to evaluating if a guy is right for you. The Bible is very specific about not being unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14). By dating someone who isn't a Christian, you are inviting all sorts of problems into your relationship
• Religion: While you both may be Christians, it is also important to share the same major doctrinal beliefs.
• Vision: Can you submit, help, and follow the vision God has placed on his life and does it line up with the vision for your life?
• Character: This is a must as well. Evaluating his character is extremely important. Is he loyal and kind? How does he treat others around him? How does he treat you? Is he honest? These are all important questions to ask.
• Family: Does he want a family someday? Do you?

Just search the heart of God. He knows exactly what you need before you ever do, and when you need it. Read Psalms 139.

Waiting isn't so bad. It's our relationship with the Father — not what we're waiting for — that should be our ultimate goal.