Searching for a Wife

"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).