Love Letters for SinglesPrøve

## HE WILL RESTORE > "Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs." Isaiah 61:7 (NKJV) It is natural to feel despondent and even a sense of guilt or shame when a relationship does not work out, or you were hopeful for a relationship to start. It's also common to feel like you wasted your time and efforts in those moments. These emotions are further compounded when you compare yourself to others.  But the Word of God in Job 23:10 (NKJV) says, 'But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold'. The path you are on is different to anybody else's path. And when God is through with you, you will come out better than you started (gold). Talk about restoration! It's important to deal with the issue of comparing your own path to others. Comparison is commonly known as the thief of joy - and we touched on joy in the previous reading. Comparing yourself to others can make you feel as though you are 'behind' schedule: you have set a timetable for yourself and are anxious to meet certain deadlines. Because of this, it is easy to lose sight of the plans God has for you. Instead of surrendering to God and His plans, you strive in our own might. This can only lead to endless cycles of discontentment and self-pity. Sound familiar? The truth is, we have all been there before, or know someone who has. But thank God for His Word to us! We can be comforted knowing that He has something greater in store for us! And we can rejoice with others, knowing that our own blessings are on the way. God promises double for all our trouble. Why? Because He is a God of restoration. That is one of His many attributes.  So, the time, resources, prayers, etc., that was spent on past relationships, God will make up for it. He will bless us with more than we had before! One of my favourite scriptures is in Psalm 126. Verses 4-6 (NIV) say, 'Restore our fortunes,  Lord,  as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears  will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.' That's a pretty good trade! Every tear you have shed will turn to shouts of joy, and every seed planted will turn into harvest! If you notice throughout the bible, God does not say, 'I may restore'. Every time He promises restoration, it is with certainty. He WILL restore! > JOURNAL: > What are your fears and what are your desires? What did you lose from your past relationship/s? Meditate on Psalm 126. God wants to restore you back to how you were before, and give you double blessings!