HOW DO YOU KNOW HE OR SHE IS THE ONE? Part II

What is the Bible’s take on this? Proverbs 18:22 says “find a wife and you find a good thing”. Proverbs 31:10-31 says about the Capable Wife, “How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor. As long as she lives, she does him good, and never harm. She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth. She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do. She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family, and to tell her servant women what to do.

She looks at land and buys it, and with the money, she has earned she plants a vineyard. She is a hard worker, strong and industrious. She knows the value of everything she makes and works late into the night. She spins her thread and weaves her cloth. She is generous to the poor and needy. She doesn’t worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing. She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen. Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens. She makes clothes and belts and sells them to merchants. She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future. She speaks with gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family’s needs. Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.

He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.” Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.”

The advice that I have heard frequently from Christian marriage counselors is that to know a man or woman well enough to marry him or her, they should have a period of engagement – no longer than 12 months, but no shorter than 3 months. We are also taught that prayer is the most critical step. It should be obvious that pre-marital counseling is crucial.

You will have a feeling of peace over an extended period about someone you are planning to marry or are thinking about marrying. You will have known them long enough to see them at their worst and their best. You will have seen how they react to certain situations and seen what kind of spouse they would make. You may have seen them around children and observed the kind of parent they would be, and their reactions under pressure.

When you find the one, you will know. Your heart will tell you he or she is the one. At some point in the relationship, you will have inner peace and conviction which will linger forever. You will experience this joy and contentment that would make it impossible for you to commit to anyone else, and that gives you the zeal that makes you believe you are ready and willing to face the world with this person by your side. Then you will know he or she is the one.

Please share your experience with us on how you were able to know ‘the one’,
and for the single, please share with us any challenge you might be facing.

Please stay tuned for the next episode next Tuesday.

“Excerpt from “Marry And Wed For Good”, written by Agnes Isika.