Most of us can remember the childhood “happily ever after” fairy tales we were told about handsome princes and beautiful princesses. When we grew up and began to experience the world, however, we may have found that sometimes things don’t work out the way we expected. We may have decided that we were somehow insufficient or inadequate without another person beside us. This is wrong-thinking; thankfully, there is someone who loves us very much and wants to be a part of our lives.

God accepts us just as we are, and He wants us to be happy whether or not we’re in a relationship with another person. He wants us to succeed in everything we do, and doesn’t like to see us struggling to meet someone else’s unrealistic expectations. When we feel weak, God strengthens us and turns our shortcomings into sufficiency. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The world sees things backwards; it has a way of making us feel as if there’s something wrong with us because of the season in life in which we find ourselves. We never have to feel ashamed of our marital status; that doesn’t matter to God. Jesus hated shame so much that He went to the cross to defeat it. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:2, 3, NKJV). When we feel discouraged, Jesus offers us hope and encouragement.

God knows far more than we do, and He can see things in the future that are hidden from us. He knows what’s in our hearts and in our minds. Trusting God in our relationships allows Him to intervene by putting godly people into our lives who need to be there. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV). Believing this gives us peace of mind about our future while enjoying our present.

Peace of mind and contentment aren’t found in another person, but only in God. Everyone has imperfections and flaws; thinking that someone else can give us what only He can will only lead to disappointment. It’s also a mistake to think happiness depends on marital status, or on any other external circumstance. Trusting God as our source of contentment empowers us to endure situations we may not necessarily like, because we know they can change at any time. “Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want” (Philippians 4:11, 12, AMPC).

There’s no need to stress out about the dating scene. God will work everything out perfectly. All we need to do is trust Him.