Are you feeling empty this Valentine’s Day? No need to feel like you are alone. Most singles have this experience. You may or may not receive the flowers and chocolates you see flooding the aisles at your local grocery. If this is making you feel a bit empty or incomplete, you need to find a way to refuel and feel whole again.
Here are a few tips to help get you through it and actually enjoy it!
1. Don’t submit to the holiday. Make the holiday submit to you!
Throw the traditions of the holiday to the side and make Valentine’s Day work for your benefit. For years I allowed the holidays to dictate my emotions. But in Christ you have the strength to change the course of how you are feeling. In our weakness, God is strong. And who is stronger than God?
Take the upper hand and use the holiday as a reason to do what brings you joy. Love shopping? Put together a gorgeous “outfit of the night” and have dinner with friends at that restaurant you’ve been eyeballing. Enjoy cooking? Grab your kids, nieces, and nephews and have yourself a chocolaty fun time in the kitchen. Just want to relax at home? Then do so without taking on the unnecessary duress to do what you think everyone else is doing.
Before all the Valentine’s Day cards are lifted from the shelves, purchase a few to give away. We get caught up in the romance of the day and forget that they do actually make Valentine’s Day cards for family and friends. There are other kinds of love worth celebrating.
Before you say, it’s just not the same…give it a try. There is no better way to refuel our hearts than to know that someone else felt loved because of us!
3. Cast out all fear.
This refuel tip is more of an inward practice. 1 John 4:18 says that there is no fear in love. There should be no fear of what isn’t or what may never be. I don’t personally believe that God wants His children to allow thoughts of love to cause fear and torment. God, himself, is love.
When we understand what true love really is and where it originally comes from, we see we have nothing to fear. This year may not be the year for diamonds or long stemmed roses, but that day will come. So why fear? Until then embrace the best love you will ever have and fear will have to flee. In Christ Jesus we are lacking nothing.
4. Have a Date with God.
Depending on how close you are to God right now, this idea may seem old hat. But even if it proves to be a struggle or unimaginable, spend time with God. Prepare your date with Him in the park, at the river, in your backyard, or in the comfort of your dining room.
Prepare your heart for all the things you would like to say to God on this occasion. Ask for wisdom. Ask for instruction. Acknowledge that His love is the best love available. Worship Him with the fruit of your lips and with songs of praise. You just might have yourself a lovely Valentine’s Day revival.
Proverbs 8:17 – I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
Lastly I leave you with a quote from Rick Warren…
“God is love. He didn’t need us. But he wanted us. And that is the most amazing thing.”
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!