"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the LORD" ( Proverbs 18:22 ESV)
I've
studied this scripture several times, and every time I do it tells me how
serious the quest for a life partner ought to be. "He who finds"
means you're not going to fold your arms on your chest and think your heart's
desire will fall from heaven like manna. A man who is ready for marriage should
be like a keen hunter who won't return home until he
has his game.
I believe
the biggest mistake men make is falling for eye candy. But looks are
dangerously deceptive. After the excitement of honey moon, when reality begins
to register you might find yourself crying, "Oh God, who is this animal
I'm stuck with!" That's why it's important that you hurry not. Our
scripture up there talking of "a good wife" makes it obvious that
there's the opposite number. The bad wife. She's insecure, a control freak, a
nag, vengeful, proud, quarrelsome and quite a handful--the type whose
contentions Proverbs 19:13 says are like "a continual dripping of
rain". Basically living with her is like living in a leaking house for the
rest of your life. That's why it's important that a man be very careful and
smart in choosing a wife. You must go down on your knees but also do thorough
research and seek advice.
Speaking
as a born-again, I believe the most important quality of a good woman has
everything to do with her relationship with God. Does she profess and possess
Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour? Be careful though, not every
church-going, choir-singing, tithe-offering, cell-leading, overnight-attending,
tongue- speaking lady is God-fearing. Some girls genuinely love God but too
much love of the world has left them unable to fully surrender to God's
will.That's why it's important that you seek God and be alert, for as you court
her you will begin to see and hear things from her upon which you will base to
reach the ultimate decision.
If
it's your desire to get married but you have failed in your quest, don't give up.
Keep searching and trusting God who made Eve for Adam will help you find that
missing rib; that great woman that embodies Proverbs 31:10-31; the genuine
quality that can only come from Him (Proverbs 19:14).
I'll
end with the words of King Solomon from The Message version of the Bible:
"It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the
wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there's no one to help,
tough! Two in bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you
round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped"
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
