Marriage, meant to be a blessing, can sometimes become a stumbling block. Instead of people partnering with their spouse to chase ten thousand, they find themselves being chased by ten thousand, overwhelmed by the very things they were meant to conquer.
Being married has truly shown me that while marriage is a blessing, it can also become a distraction. In fact, it is one of the most common reasons people struggle to answer God’s call. They find it difficult to carve out time for the things of God. This is especially true for women; even without children, the responsibilities of being a wife alone can demand a significant portion of one’s time and energy.
One day of missed devotion or personal time with God can easily turn into several days, then weeks, months, and eventually years of neglecting your spiritual life. Before you realize it, you can hardly remember the last time you prayed or opened your Bible, at least not until you find yourself in a tight corner, unable to find a way out. Then, suddenly, you remember God! If you’re not careful, your relationship with Him may become one of constant requests, a cycle of “Give me, give me!” Once you receive what you need, you drift away again until the next crisis. But we can, and truly should, strive to do better.
And then, children enter the picture. From waking up early to get them ready for school, dropping them off, managing work, tackling laundry, and attending to the endless demands of home and career, it all piles up, each task competing for your attention. In the midst of it all, it’s so easy to lose yourself, to lose sight of God’s vision.
Gifted, anointed women find themselves merely surviving, living as if their only identity is that of a wife and mother, forgetting that there is so much more to them.
This is why I strongly advise that if you are unmarried and unsure of God’s purpose for your life, invest your time not only in praying for a godly spouse but also in seeking His will for you. Ask Him to reveal how you are to make Him known, whether in the workplace, as an evangelist, pastor, prophet, or teacher. Discover His purpose for your life and begin walking in it even before marriage. Let your spouse meet you already living out God’s will.
Paul understood how marriage could be distracting, which is why he wished more people remained single as he was (1 Corinthians 7:7-8). His message was simple: Do whatever enables you to serve God better. Marriage comes with responsibilities, and if not handled wisely, one can unknowingly put their divine assignment on hold. Paul reminds believers in 1 Corinthians 7:29-34 that time is short. While marriage is important, it should not become an all-consuming focus.
However, marriage, when approached with the right mindset, can also be a powerful tool for fulfilling God’s call. A godly marriage should be a partnership where both husband and wife encourage each other in their spiritual journey. When spouses walk in purpose together, they strengthen each other rather than hinder each other. This way, they can truly chase ten thousand together.
Paul never discouraged marriage; in fact, he advised those struggling with self-control to get married, saying, “If they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better to marry than to burn with lust” (1 Corinthians 7:9). For difficult marriages, his words were never a license for divorce. Instead, he encouraged endurance and reconciliation, saying, “A wife must not leave her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).
Again, the summary of his message was: Do whatever enables you to serve God better.
Fear
Many people hesitate to step out in faith because they fear what others might think. They worry about how they will be perceived, dread being mocked, or feel unsure of what to say. God addressed this category of people through individuals like Jeremiah, Joshua, and Ezekiel.
When God called Jeremiah, He told him: “Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them.” (Jeremiah 1:17)
Similarly, when God commissioned Joshua to lead Israel after Moses, He repeatedly commanded him not to be afraid. God went as far as promising him that no one would be able to stand against him as long as he lived. He assured Joshua that He would never fail or abandon him. In essence, He was saying, “Be strong and courageous. Lead my people boldly, and I will back you wherever you go.” But Joshua had to first take that step of courage.
David, too, understood this when he stepped forward to face Goliath. He did so in the name of the Lord, who had already proven Himself faithful in his life. The Bible does not tell us that David received a special assurance from God before taking on Goliath. He simply knew it was the right thing to do, took a step of courage, and God backed him. He said yes to standing for God, to defending his faith, and to making God known.
When God called Ezekiel, He said: “Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels.” (Ezekiel 2:6)
To you and me, God says the same today: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Anxiety and Worry
Some believe that those who do God’s work must live in poverty. But thank God for the fathers of faith who have shown us otherwise! Their lives testify that God cares for His children, blessing them not only with provision but also with good health to enjoy His blessings. Yet, many remain overly focused on their comfort and well-being, forgetting what Jesus said: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33). The truth is, when we prioritize God’s kingdom, He takes care of our needs. As Jesus warned, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24).
Some worry about whether the people God has sent them to will listen. But God reassured Ezekiel that his responsibility was simply to speak, whether or not the people accepted the message. He said to Ezekiel: “They are a stubborn and hard-hearted people. But I am sending you to say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ And whether they listen or refuse to listen… at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.” (Ezekiel 2:4-5)
At the heart of it all, our role is to obey. God equips those He calls. Rather than being consumed by worry, focus on trusting Him, knowing that He will guide, provide, and empower you for the work He has assigned to you.
Additional Scriptures for Study
Luke 12; Matthew 6:25-34
