Dear Future Wife: A 3-Day Devotional With Cade ThompsonSample

# DAY 3 - Learning to Thrive It is natural for all of us to focus on what we DON’T have instead of what we DO have. Sometimes we are so stuck in that imbalance that we aren’t even able to recognize what God has ALREADY given us. Take a minute or two to do a quick mental inventory of what you DO have; what God has already given you. Resist the temptation to follow that thought up with what you don’t have. Stay focused on the good and cling to these things. One of the most beautiful ways to realign your heart is to read scripture. Scripture is how we share in the heart of God; it’s how we understand, not only who we are but whose we are. We are God’s creation, He made us in His image and we are His masterpiece. Our identity rooted in Christ is key for us as humans before we even enter into any other relationships. My prayer for you is that you are filled with holy confidence in who you are, so God would mold your heart to be more like His. I AM A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE KING. GOD IS STILL AT WORK IN ME. GOD IS WORKING IN MY WAITING. GOD WANTS TO SPEND TIME WITH ME, AND HE DELIGHTS IN IT. GOD CHERISHES ME AND CREATED ME FOR HIS GOOD PURPOSE. And again, it is natural for us to try to take the reins back from God, to control the outcome of our life, to write the story, to right our wrongs. Quite honestly, we try to tell God what we want and hope He agrees. Sometimes, we are so confident in our understanding that we make our dreams happen without really letting God take the lead, only to find out later that indeed, it was not the best thing for us. In any relationship, I believe that God wants us to continually place all of our relationships on the altar. Are you willing to give up what you think is the best thing or the best person for you, for God to show you what IS the best thing or person for you? Truly, God may allow singleness to be the best thing for you. He wants us all to strive to live in a posture of surrender to Him; surrendering whatever desires are in our hearts. He does not promise this to be without hardships, but walking it out with Him is promised to be a lighter load. If we aren’t careful, we will naturally walk in fear of the unknown. Begin to pray ‘surrendered prayers’ by saying “God I give you my desires, my dreams, my passions.” Hold all of these desires, dreams, and passions loosely so that God can be the one to enhance or diminish them over time. As you pray these prayers, watch how your heart comes in alignment with the heart of God. “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9. This surrender of ourselves is where the thriving begins. We move from surviving to thriving when we trust and have patience while we wait on the Lord to do all He has promised. My parents' love story is the example I grew up with that reflects God’s blessings and desires to make all things new. Growing up, there was never any doubt in our family that patience, waiting on God, and surrendering our thoughts and desires are the components to thriving as a follower of Christ as you navigate your singleness. PRAYER: “Dear God, you know my heart, you know every single hair upon my head, you call me yours, and you know what is best for me. So now, I choose to rest in those truths, I choose to follow you, and I choose to walk by faith as I trust and have patience. Finally, I choose to thrive in this season with you, not go ahead of you. I pray that my future spouse will come into full knowledge of all that you are. Draw them closer to you every day as I draw closer to you too. AMEN.”