21 strategies to overcome marital delay – Part 2

Introduction
For the past few weeks, we have been considering some practical strategies that will enable single men and ladies overcome marital delay. Today, we want to consider the issue of character and how it affects our lives, as far as the issue of marriage is concerned.

Develop Good and Godly Character
“Character is power,” says Booker T. Washington. This is absolutely true, because nobody will like to associate with you or marry you, if you lack good character. Your attitude determines who relates with you, and certainly, those who are well-behaved will do everything to avoid you, if your character is nothing to write home about. Although many complain of delay in marriage, but they do not think they need to sit down to analyse the cause, especially in our days, when many see the devil as the only cause of their problems. Unfortunately, the devil cannot reply them that they are the culprits. Take, for instance, a man or a lady who is not respectful or courteous. Someone, who is saucy, disrespectful, arrogant, hypocritical, rude and stubborn, may find it difficult getting a life partner, except the so-called partner is not careful or watchful enough. Even people of the same character will detest such attitudes. There are individuals, who will not greet you, unless you greet them first. Some are full of themselves, arrogant, rigid and incorrigible. They do not learn from anybody, they cannot even accept that they are wrong, not to talk of apologising or asking others for forgiveness.

According to Proverbs 22:1, the Bible says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” The only thing that confers a good name on you is your good and godly character. Your character will either make people to repel you or make people to gravitate towards you. And that is why I believe your character can either make or mar your destiny. If you read that same Proverbs 22:3 of it, the Bible says: “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.” This is talking of the need for us to thoroughly watch out for character flaws, if we do not want to suffer regrets in the future concerning the choices or the decisions we are making today.

There was a lady who was in courtship with a young man. This young man’s only prayer was that God should reveal or expose the lady to him, no matter how close they were to the altar. On a certain day, he decided to pay her a surprise visit. On getting to the lady’s compound, he noticed that his wife-to-be was in a serious fight. She was half-naked, with everyone around trying to pacify her, but she would not listen. After watching the show for about an hour, the guy decided to show his face. The lady was shocked to see him, but it was too late to hide, and the guy called the relationship off. Character is like smoke; it keeps coming out, no matter how much you try to cover it up. Someone rightly said character is who you are, especially when no one is there.

What many people do not know is that hardly will anyone choose to marry you without trying to find out who you are from others around you. You need the recommendation of some people you have ignored and despised. What people say about you matters. I often hear people say, “I don’t care what they say about me,” but sometimes it matters. God Himself will not come down to recommend you. He often sends people to you to correct you, and you get better, if you listen to the right people. Your problem is certainly minimised and many mistakes and regrets can be avoided, when you accept that you do not have a monopoly of knowledge and allow others to contribute to your life. In Acts 24:16; Apostle Paul said he exercised himself to have always a conscience that is void of offence towards God and men.

Rev. (Barrister) Solomon Ojigiri,(The Senior Pastor) 08059203554, 08023997277
sowoojigiri@yahoo.com
Everwinning Faith Ministries Int’l
31, Oritse Str. off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Balogun Bus Stop, Ikeja, Lagos.