When we want something, we often want it now. The desire for immediate gratification is a human weakness. We tend to forget that we’ve got an eternity with God front of us because we focus on our wants and needs in our earthly life.

The desire for a partner with whom to share our lives is natural, dating back to the very first book of the Bible:

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. —Genesis 2:18, KJV

Just as God fashioned the perfect soul mate for Adam, He has created the right husband or wife for all of us. The problem is that person comes to us on God’s time frame. It’s hard to be patient and trust in the Lord when everyone around you seems to be meeting someone, getting married and settling down into family life. How do you keep your faith and find peace and contentment while waiting for the right person to come along for you?

First, you must have faith in God’s plan for you. It might feel like He’s forgotten about you, but the Book of Matthew makes it clear that everyone has great value in His eyes:

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. —Matthew 10:29-31, KJV

You’re worthy in the Lord’s eyes, and because of that value, you don’t have to fear for your future. Instead, you must have faith and allow it to unfold before you in God’s own time.

How can you be content in the meantime, while you wait for your soul mate to enter your life? Stay active and fill your life with positive things, like family, friends, church, work, volunteerism and fun, healthy pastimes. God gives us all talents and abilities, which we should use to their fullest extent, as this passage from Romans reminds us:

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. —Romans 12:6-8, KJV

Not only does using your God-given strengths help you feel content with yourself and fulfilled as a person, but it’s also an opportunity to be of service to others.

When you keep your life busy with fun, productive and faith-affirming activities, you might just discover that God will use this to link you up with your soul mate. It could be that a new person in town sits near you in church. You strike up a friendly conversation and suddenly discover how much you have in common. Or maybe it’s someone at the gym who’s as interested in keeping healthy as you are or a fellow volunteer you meet when working a shift at the community center.

Instead of feeling like life is passing you by because you’re still single, with no prospects in sight, make the decision to plunge in wholeheartedly. Marriage is an important part of God’s plan, but it’s only one scene on the rich tapestry He’s woven for your life. Don’t get so caught up in pining for a relationship that you miss the rest of your wonderful journey. Embrace the process of finding your soul mate and enjoy yourself while you’re doing it, knowing that God will reveal him or her when the time is right.