Stress and anxiety are two things that consume peoples lives. Paul shows us how to be free from anxieties, stay single. This will remove all of the stress of pleasing a spouse and caring for children. It will also allow our heart to be focused explicitly on the things of the Lord. If we are married or are planning on it, we can still live a fruitful life, but there are anxieties that come as part of the package.
1 Corinthians 7:32-35
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
Focused on the Lord
Paul knew the world wasn’t getting any better. He also knew that being free from anxieties was beneficial in following Christ. The key is to be focused on the things of the Lord and seek how to please Him. As a single person, we are free to focus entirely on Christ without anxiety. When we get married, we are torn. We want to please the Lord, but we also have a spouse and family that need to be cared for. It becomes a struggle to balance both of those.
Heart of Devotion
We need to have a heart of devotion for the Lord while at the same time a loving marriage. It takes discipline and sacrifice but can be achieved. It’s a matter of priority in our life. When Christ is at the center of our life things, have a tendency to fall into order. We can love and serve our family all the while pointing them to Jesus. When things get out of order, it brings anxiety and stress. Undue expectations and focus in one area of our life can bring imbalance and divided attention to the Lord. Jesus said that we couldn’t serve two masters. We will love one and hate the other. Our goal is that we live a life that is pleasing and devoted to Him.