by God has placed within every young woman and girl alike the desire to love and to be loved. He created us with the capacity to care for and nourish those around us. Our Creator designed us to be emotional beings, with a strong sense of devotion and affection. And yet, as we enter and pass through these joyous—though sometimes trying—years of young womanhood, we often find ourselves struggling with the very desires that God has placed within us! Maybe you have prayed, “Lord, while I am young and waiting, why can’t You take away these emotions and desires that seem to continually rage within me??” I know I have uttered these words on several occasions. But I have also discovered that—as always—God had a plan when He created us with certain desires and affections. He even has a purpose for those (sometimes) unruly emotions!
Sadly, the world around us has completely missed the mark in the area of love and devotion. We see young people all around us giving in to their carnal instincts and allowing their emotions to “carry them away”—often right into trouble. God did not crown us with the precious capacity to feel and think emotionally so that we could spend and waste it during our childish youth. Quite the contrary, His plan was that we, as Christian young ladies, would release our emotions to God and use the energy and desires He has given us to work for and love Him. I know that this is the opposite of what our society is shouting in our ears and even of what our own fleshly impulses would tell us. But stop and think of what God could do with just one young lady who has placed the key to her heart—her mind, will, and emotions—into the palm of the Savior’s hand!! Instead of chasing after shifting whims and fancies, let’s turn the tide of our own generation and begin to diligently seek after the Lord our God!
I can tell you, girls, from my own experience, that doing this is not always an easy task. One day we may feel that we have placed our hearts under the Savior’s control, and the next thing we know, we are fighting the battle all over again! Although God will not take our desire for love and human companionship (marriage) away, He will use those desires to help us grow spiritually, if we will allow Him to be the Master of our hearts.
As I was struggling in this very area recently, I ran across a beautiful verse that has been a great help to me:
“And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (1 John 3:19, 20, emphasis added).
What a reassuring thought, to realize that God is greater than our hearts & emotions, and He knows all about us! Another verse states, “Lord, all my desire is before Thee.” (Psalm 38:9a) Surely He is worthy of our trust.
I can testify that there is such joy and fellowship in using our God-given desires to seek and serve the Lord in every way we can. Perhaps the most important step in doing this is to establish a consistent prayer life. Don’t wait until you’re older or more “mature”—God desires to be your closest friend and companion now! Rekindle within your heart a passion to know and love God like never before. You may be surprised at the peace and contentment that leaving your heart in the Savior’s care will bring.
The most exciting part is that the reward of fully releasing our hearts into the Master’s hand is true fulfillment and security. If others look at you and think you are “deprived” or “missing out” because you have made the decision to wait for God’s best concerning dating and marriage, don’t even give it a second thought! When we have a living, vibrant friendship with God, we can be confident that we definitely are not the ones who are deprived.
And so I ask you: Are you willing to turn over to God even the deepest longings and desires of your heart? Can you trust Him with your dreams and future? Are you willing to pass up something that appears good and even desirable for that which is BEST? If your answer is yes, then you, my friend, will never reap the sorrow and regret that awaits those who head heedlessly down the paths of this world. Your fulfillment, and mine, will be unmatched with anything that frivolous dating relationships can offer, if we will but cling to the Savior and rest—truly rest—in Him.
“Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee: which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee…” -Psalm 31:19
Originally published in the Summer 1999 YLCF Journal #24, when Kristy was an 18-year-old single. Now, she says, “I’m 30 yrs old; been married to my preacher boy, Jeremy, for 9+ years. I’m a fledgling homeschooling mama (two daughters and two sons), a whole foods fanatic, and most recently, a country-girl transplanted in Forth Worth, Texas. I love reading and writing about health, home education, natural birth, homemaking, and Biblical womanhood at littlenaturalcottage.com.”
AMEN!!!