How can an elderly person achieve a balance between not overthinking marriage and not despairing of it, and should they pray with absolute certainty of an answer, or does certainty that God will grant what is good contradict ambition?

There is no need for excessive worry and overthinking regarding marriage; for it is a predetermined provision from Allah. One must take the legitimate means, such as supplicating and persisting in it with certainty of its acceptance, having a good opinion of Allah, and seeking assistance from trustworthy individuals to search for a righteous spouse. For expending effort does not contradict faith; rather, Islamic law encourages it.