Hmm.. the Bible never refers to such a thing as the "gift of singleness," though Jesus does mention distinct groups of people who have the ability to be celibate:
For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it. Matt 19:12
A eunuch was a castrated man and is referred to both literally and figuratively in the above passage. Obviously if one cannot accept lifetime celibacy then they don't have such a gift, though of course God's grace (supernatural ability) can help us bear anything that we must.
5 cDo not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that dSatan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, enot as a commandment. 7 For fI wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: gIt is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9 but hif they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Corinthians 7:5-9:
Paul put the Kingdom above everything else in his life and from his perspective, being single allows one to pursue God's purposes with no distractions. What he said was not a commandment but his personal preference.. as stated in the passage above. But he is also practical, in that if you can't control yourself sexually (or deal with lifelong celibacy), then you need to get married.
@
Kinkyhairlady No one deserves anything from the Lord according to human logic, anything we have is because of grace through Christ. God has given us the privilege of asking him in faith for our desires because we are His children and He loves to give us good gifts. As stated in the Word, God wants to grant us our desires (not just needs, but
desires) according to His will.. and if we are abiding in Him our desires will purified according to His unique purposes for our lives.
So the Bible tells to make requests of God in faith, and believe that we have received the answer before we see it manifest. That's usually the hardest part for all of us..the time between the asking and the receiving is where the most testing takes place. We are also told to ask for wisdom above all things and God will give it to us generously, but we must believe that we have what we ask for.
We are admonished in the New Testament that we are to take to heart the story of the Isrealites as warnings and examples for our own lives (1 Cor 10:1-11). Their biggest sins were doubt and unbelief, which kept them from experiencing the fullness of prosperity in the promised land and fellowship with God. So they wandered in the wilderness..
There are a few areas of my life that I have been very discontented in and I've come to the understanding that I've waited unnecessarily in some areas because of doubt and unbelief.
God wants us to believe the He is absolutely
good and not a withholder but a rewarder. In some places the Amplified bible defines faith as "the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in
absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]"
The bible has strong words about nurturing doubt and unbelief:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Heb 11:6
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1
God absolutely wants to answer our prayers
. But we must do our part to continue in faith and walk in wisdom (practical things like physical and financial excellence, identifying emotional issues and character flaws, etc), and pursue spiritual maturity. God is responsible for the timing and supernatural part.
erplexed... 
.
. Don't let the enemy steal your hope.
You have a lot of life to live.
