Are you in a relationship right now? What are your plans? Are you just playing with your emotions? Are you living in purity and holiness as you count the years in your relationship while waiting for the guy’s proposal?

Actually, there are thousands, probably millions of single ladies around the world who have experienced emotional hurt and pain because of their boyfriend who left them for another girl. After all the things she had done for him? Even to the point of giving her own body which is sinful.

How can both of you avoid going through emotional hurt in a relationship that has no clear direction?

I remember our son asked me while driving how I courted their mom. I told him that I met his mom as a professional in the church. She was involved in the book table ministry at that time while I am also a part of a different ministry. I wanted to get to know her so I tried to reach out to her circle of friends. We managed to grow in our friendly relationship without any serious commitment while we prioritize the Lord first and His kingdom. Our friendship lasted for more than four years that we were so acquainted with one another. When that appointed time and place came for me to say the words “I love you. Will you marry me?” She said, “Yes!” Our one year of engagement is a moment of preparation for our wedding celebration.

A man’s spiritual conviction must not be to play with the woman’s emotion. He should be thinking seriously about marriage already before entering that courtship stage.

Unfortunately, many single men and women enter a boyfriend-girlfriend romantic relationship without any commitment or marriage plans. They are probably testing the water if their relationship will work. I label this as “emotional live-in” where many unfortunate things could happen like petting, fornication, and sexual immorality if they are not guarded.

If they will not watch over their physical closeness then sexual intimacy even before the day of the wedding could surely happen. This is what God calls sexual fornication among single people. Be spiritually fruitful in your relationship so you will not gratify your sinful flesh.

Observe purity and holiness in your relationship while waiting for your wedding day. Remember, the enemy’s temptation can hound us anytime and anywhere. May both of you be mindful of what grieves the Holy Spirit of God. Do you want to raise your own future godly generation? Then be serious with your relationship by talking about marriage.

Your children someday will probably ask you about your love story. Be excited to tell them your own version of the story. Be prepared to have a God-glorifying testimony to share with them. If something unfortunate happened in the past, then acknowledged your sins and asked the Lord’s forgiveness. God is forgiving who would surely cleanse you from all your sins so you can have a fresh start.

Going back to my personal story earlier. I asked my son, “Why do you want to know?” He confidently said, “Oh, I also asked mom how you courted her.” I immediately asked my wife who was seated beside me in the car, “Did both of us said the same thing?” My wife smiled and said, “Yes.”

Biblical References:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30, ESV

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17, NIV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16, ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9, ESV

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, – 2 Thess. 3:7, ESV