Singles Awareness Day | JOY for Today

(Updated January 5, 2024)

Let's reverse the mood from S.A.D. to JOYful today. All of us have much to celebrate in our singleness; we are all unique masterpieces designed by the creator of heaven and earth. Relish the beauty of what makes you, you. Find JOY in your singularity.

JOY for Today Offerings:

• Did You Know... Five we didn't.
• Wolfe Stew Connects To being single.
• Bible Verses and Quotes About remaining single.
• Activity Suggestions Book suggestions, writing activity, discussion opportunities.

UPCOMING HOLIDAYS

• Presidents' Day (February's Third Monday)
• Be Humble Day (February 22nd Annually)
• International Women's Day (March 8th Annually)

Did You Know:

1. Women who remain single throughout life benefit mentally, physically, and financially? An Australian study compiled data on over 10,000 women in their 70's from all walks of life and found that those who remained single throughout their life received higher education and income, were physically healthier, more optimistic, and less stressed. (Medium, Psychology Today, and National Library of Medicine)
   
2. Singles are better at maintaining relationships? Couples tend to spend time on themselves, building their families and relationship within the coupling, whereas singles think more outwardly spending more time with siblings, parents, neighbors, and friends. (Psychology Today and Zoosk)
3. There is a rising trend of single households around the world? In the U.S., the number  of single households has nearly doubled in 50 years. Norway and Sweden have a few cities where the majority are single households. Richer countries are more likely to have an increase in single household living than poorer countries.  (Our World in Data)
4. Americans consider remaining single more advantageous? Although only by a one percent margin, Americans surveyed favored remaining single to being married. The most agreed upon (90%) reason for marriage opposition was the amount of effort required.  (Psychology Today)
5. Less than half of all Americans consider marriage essential to a fulfilling life? Thirty-seven percent of men and twenty-four percent of women believe marriage is essential for a life fulfilled. (Psychology Today)

We'd Love to Know:

Which of these facts most surprised you?

Wolfe Stew Connects

It seems to me there are four categories of romantic relationship statuses:

1. Single and Content 
2. Single and Searching 
3. Married and Lonely
4. Married and Content

Regardless of your current relationship status, I think we all need to be "Single Aware." Independent of another's input, we each need to consistently check-in on how we as a singular person are doing.

• How is my relationship with God? What am I doing to develop it?
• How is my physical health? What am I doing to improve or maintain it?
• How is my emotional well-being? What habits are helping? What ones will I change?
• How are my goal-reaching efforts? Am I on track or off course? Is it time for new goals?

Even when coupled, we are still singles uniquely made with unique fears, physical and emotional needs, and hopes for the future. However, it is essential you communicate these needs to your spouse regularly. Keep defining them independently so you can convey them clearly. In doing so, you are entrusting your heart to your spouse (Proverbs 31:11). You committed to working as a team on your wedding day; so, do it (Genesis 2:18-24). The conversation might play out like this, "Here is where I am as an individual. I am working on these things, and I am asking you, my teammate, to help by..." And you need not run through the whole summary. Instead, choose the area of greatest need and ask your spouse for help. Two are better than one, and a three stranded cord (God) is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Focusing on our own needs, and especially on our personal relationship with Christ, makes us better in any relationship (Ephesians 5:21). 

Even if single, you are never alone. You still have someone to answer to, a person who longs for you to share your personal check-in. God awaits. In being single, God is the only one you need check-in with. You are wholly committed to Him and He to you. Marry yourself to Him. Entrust your heart to Him (Proverbs 31:11) and in so doing, He will pour out blessing upon blessing. I caution you against falling into the trap of living out your own significance; live for Him and JOY will abound.

If you are lonely, whether married or single, focus on God. Trust in Him. He knows your heart. He knows your needs. He is a good Father and gives better gifts than you can imagine (Matthew 7:11). Release your heart to Him. When it is complete in Him, then it is ready for another.

Whatever your relationship status, letting God into it will shed light on it. Delight yourself in Him; He will give you desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4).

In response:

1. Take a moment to complete the self-check-in. Consider the four bulleted questions above. Commit to making one change today. Write it out. Share it with God (and, if married, your spouse). Schedule a day next month to check in again.
2. GROW in uplifting others by joining us as we continue studying Proverbs 31:11. Or engage in last year's growth opportunity and learn to RISE to change.

Bible Verses and Quotes 

Bible Verses

• "Now for those who are not married and for the widows I say this: it is good for you to stay single like me." I Corinthians 7:8 ERV
• "But if you decide to marry, this is not a sin. And it is not a sin for a girl who has never married to get married. But those who marry will have trouble in this life. And I want you to be free from this trouble." I Corinthians 7:28 ICB
• "I want you to be free from worry. A man who is not married is busy with the Lord's work. He is trying to please the Lord. But a man who is married is busy with things of the world. He is trying to please his wife. He must think about two things - pleasing his wife and pleasing the Lord. A woman who is not married or a girl who has never married is busy with the Lord's work. She wants to give herself fully - body and spirit - to the Lord. But a married woman is busy with things of the world. She is trying to please her husband." I Corinthians 7:32-34 ERV
• "When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." Mark 12:25 MEV
• "And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord." Hosea 2:19-20 ESV

Quotes

• "You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody." - Maya Angelou
• "If we be doomed to marry, we marry; if we be doomed to remain single we do." - Thomas Hardy
• “Being with no one is better than being with the wrong one. Sometimes those who fly solo have the strongest wings." - Nitya Prakash
• "Being single is about celebrating and appreciating your own space that you're in." - Kelly Rowland
• "As a body, everyone is single. As a soul, never." - Hermann Hesse

We'd Love to Know:

Which verse or quote connects with you?

 

Activity Suggestions

Mostly focused on book suggestions, we hope you find a way to celebrate who you are as an individual. Get a printable version at our TPT store.

The Mr.'s Suggestion:

Read a book!

Here are some books that just might fit the bill starting with one for all of us: Single, Married, Separated, & Life After Divorce by Myles Munroe helps us learn to be content with our singleness first, then examines these various places of relationships.

• Single and Content
• Single: The Art of Being Satisfied, Fulfilled and Independent by Judy Ford
• Living Single by Tony Evans (Christian)
• Single and Searching
• Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy Ken Page. Handle as a serious study to work on understanding yourself better. Includes guided meditations, journal prompts, and personal exercises.
• Waiting and Dating: Your Practical Guide to a Fulfilling Relationship by Myles Munroe (Christian)
• FOR TEENS The Truth about Dating, Love, and Just Being Friends by Chad Eastham. Written in a tone of genuine concern, Chad implores his audience to seek deep friendships, keep trying, and learn to understand and manage their feelings - all while remembering they don't have to worry about all the guys/gals, just the one that is right for them. (Christian)
• Married and Lonely
• You are Not Stuck by Becky Vollmer
• Soul Strength: Rhythms for Thriving by Alan Ahlgrim (Christian)
• Married and Content
• Make Your Bed: Little Things that can Change Your Life... And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven. Based on a commencement speech, McRaven here expands 10 steps to help give you a new outlook on life.
• One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp (Christian)
• Happy Being Me (for kids and teens) 
• I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont, illustrated by David Catrow
• I am Enough by Grace Bryers, illustrated by Ketura A. Bobo. Pictures only include girls. Full of similes that promote endless discussion opportunities. 
• How to Like Yourself by Cheryl M. Bradshaw

The Mrs.' Suggestions: 

Rewrite the Books

• Use one of the books above as a model.
• Rewrite it using you, or your own advice, as the subject.

Discuss "Would You Rather..." Questions

• Spend a night alone watching movies or reading books?
• Eat or dance by yourself?
• Take a walk or ride a bike on your own?

These questions are unique to this post. If you would like three "Would You Rather...?" questions for every February day, download this Wolfe Stew PowerPoint. 

Take on the Family Challenge

Everyone writes one goal for themselves to complete by week's end. Encourage one another in meeting the goal throughout the week. At the start of the new week, celebrate successes and growth.

We'd Love to Know:

How you would celebrate being single?

We’re excited to share one more day with you and wish you JOY for Today and HOPE for Tomorrow. Come back next week for...Be Humble Day!

Your Partners in JOY Finding,

Sample these related posts:

To celebrate your inner beauty.

To craft a vision board.

To start a journey getting to know your spiritual spouse.

To consider your unique crafting.

To find your place as a stone in the wall.

Find even more JOY for Today in our monthly calendars, holiday, and seasonal posts.