Article By Beth James // EEW Magazine // Singles

Who says single women should be somewhere moping around, feeling overlooked and depressed about their singleness? Not Mandisa Lynn Hundley, that’s for sure.

The mononymous Christian singer says, ladies, enjoy your singleness and view it through a biblical lens—and we totally agree with her!

In a message first shared on Instagram to encourage singles on Valentine’s Day, the “Overcomer” songstress, who has been out on the road as part of TobyMac’s 29-city “Hits Deep Tour,” quoted Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 7:7 from The Message Bible.

The great Apostle said, “Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.”

Singleness is a gift, just as married life is.

“Paul’s words here are like music to my unmarried ears. It is so refreshing to hear someone refer to being single as something more than a temporary vapid state that will be remedied as soon as the scales fall off of some bloke’s eyes, and he sees me for the catch that I am,” said Mandisa, 41.

The well-loved vocalist, who first rose to fame as a contestant on the fifth season of “American Idol,” continued, “I am not a poor, unfortunate, lady-in-waiting whose life is on hold until ‘Boaz’ puts a ring on it. I am much more than someone’s other half. I am a Holy Spirit-filled, woman of God, who was made complete the moment I asked Jesus to be my Savior and Lord.”

The confidence Mandisa now exudes didn’t come overnight. A survivor of rape, who struggled with depression that led to morbid obesity, she was once down in the dumps, feeling sorry for herself.

In a recent interview with the Sacramento Bee, the GRAMMY® Award-winner recalls how, at one point, she’d isolated herself and shut all those who loved her out.

“My loved ones were reaching out and I would ignore their phone calls and text messages. It got to the point where I had friends who, out of love and concern, came to my house banging on the door and I just put in some ear plugs and pretended I wasn’t there. I was angry at the world,” she confessed.

But her friends didn’t give up. They staged an intervention and Mandisa went through grief counseling. Today, she is back on track, feeling strong again and getting healthier, too.

“So far, I’ve lost 100 pounds – again,” she said. “I take it one day at a time.”

Lately, her wide smile radiates true joy as she delights hearts across the nation with her contagious enthusiasm and inspiring aura.

“I am a mighty warrior princess armed with the Shield of Faith, who skillfully wields the Sword of the Spirit. I am called by God to build His kingdom by using the gifts my Father has given me,” she declared.

For those who are single and waiting like her, Mandisa wrote, “rather than allowing it to make us sad, let’s open our eyes to the gift it is, and enjoy it while we can!”

She left off with a scripture found in 1 Corinthians 7:17a (MSG):  “And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life.”

Good stuff.

Check out Mandisa's awesome racially unifying song "Bleed the Same" featuring TobyMac.