My Experience
With The Dating Game
By a Sister in Christ
I learned the hard way! - Dating brings only temptation, guilt and
sorrow!
My parents knew nothing of protecting their children by teaching them
at home or of godly courtship, so I don’t hold anything against them. There
just wasn’t much said back then about courtship except in very conservative
circles, I guess.
Anyway, I grew up in an atmosphere where all the young teenagers talked
about girlfriends and boyfriends, and I’m sad to say that my early teenage
diaries were filled with words about the boys I admired, the things they
said to me, and the dreams I had of dating. I loved the attention the guys
gave me, and I was boy crazy. Nobody told me how important it was to guard
my heart and mind and focus my attention on serving the Lord until the
time came for me to “release my emotions” in a godly way towards the one
man who was to be my husband someday.
I got into trouble just by being a “friend” to several guys who needed
a friend. I always felt it was the Christian thing to do to be nice to
everyone and to help the “underdog.” Little did I realize how quickly a
“friendship” could turn into a romance, especially on the part of the one
who really needed a friend. This can happen too easily just in casual conversation
at church or when families get together. (In my case, it was the boy who
lived several houses down.) Because of my experience, I think it’s best
to never engage in extended conversations with anyone of the opposite sex,
and especially never alone.
As I grew older I began to date, and how I regret it now! Because I
was dating for fun and popularity, I didn’t always date guys that I would
even consider for a mate. I never meant to “fall in love” or become attached
to any one. I was just being a “friend” and having a “good time.” But one
guy I went steady with really fell for me, and I became really emotionally
involved with him also, to my hurt. My life became an emotional roller
coaster, and I was constantly filled with anxiety and guilt. Finally, I
realized I had to break up with this guy because I really didn’t want to
marry him. Although we were so emotionally involved with each other, I
always said I only loved him “in the Lord.” The devil just used this to
destroy me emotionally. Years after I finally broke up, scars were still
there - emotional scars - and anxieties. How I praise the Lord for His
complete forgiveness, but I would not desire anyone to follow the path
I took.
What a blessing it must be for every young lady who is in surrender
to God and her parents to devote her “best years” to the Lord, and then,
according to God’s will and in His timing, and with her parent’s counsel
and involvement, begin a pure and godly courtship with a godly young man!
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,
peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” - ll. Timothy
2:22
Dating will cause: B.F.S. (Bad Focusing Syndrome)
WARNING!! : The side effects from playing the dating game are serious!
The mind will become blurry and unfocused on Christ. Much desire for the
things that should be the most important in your life (for example: pleasing
God and parents, and focusing on learning to become a godly wife and mother)
are apt to fade out, leaving your mind focused on the things that should
be the least important at the moment: Boys! Results: broken hearts, strained
relationships, and deep scars...