It’s that time of year again: Love-struck teenagers post romantic pictures on Facebook of Valentine’s Day dates and gifts as others post sad statuses of dateless singleness. How is it that one day can bring such differing emotions?
Every person lives a different life with a different background. As a result, this “day of love” brings to the surface many reactions to the past.
To those in relationships:
Most likely, you look forward to February 14, the day when you will express your attraction for your significant other. While this day can strengthen your relationship, remember a few things as you move forward together:Emotions catch us off guard. Whether a result of sweet words, or kind gestures, we often interpret romanticism as love, only to find out that unity begins to wither away after the romance ends. Keep in mind that only God can satisfy your deepest desires. You can seek acceptance in you partner consistently, but until you find identity and approval in Christ, your relationship will not last; God is the foundation on which relationships must be built.
With that in mind, you must purposefully position several safe-guards in your relationship in order to avoid fatal mistakes. Know your weaknesses and the areas in which you and your significant other face temptation. Specifically avoid these areas. Feelings can overwhelm you with a false sense of passion, leading you to give in to the fleshly desires of a life devoid of self-control.
Go forth in prayer as you celebrate this Valentine’s Day.To the lonely single:
Cheer up! Do you realize that your loneliness provides the perfect opportunity to draw closer to Jesus? He created you specifically for a purpose, but many of you do not recognize or understand your God-given identity. Adding a boyfriend or girlfriend to the situation simply complicates this process, as lonely people usually look to their partner for approval.
God desires that “all [your] fountains are in [Him]” (Psalms 87:7, NIV). Basically, this means that you only rely on God for fulfillment and satisfaction. Only when you reach this point can God trust you with a relationship. Otherwise, you will encounter prickly situations with a significant other; your spiritual brokenness would hinder relational wholeness.
Don’t fret. God will bring “the one” into your life when He sees fit. Until then (and even after), give your worries up to Christ. He sees you and hears your cries of loneliness. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, NKJV).To the sexually abused:
My heart goes out to you. How hard it must be to endure a celebration of love after others have distorted love’s true meaning for you. Know that God cries your every tear. He sees your pain and assumes it as His own. (Psalms 56:8). He did not cause your abuse and hopes that you will accept Him for Who He is:
He will not leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He will not manipulate you to satisfy His own desires. He will not flee when times turn rough. God is the true Love that holds you when you cry and comforts you in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Trusting His Word may prove difficult, but slowly, God will help you overcome the pain that others have caused.With every magazine article, Facebook post and television commercial flaunting the love that has betrayed you, remember that only God can hold you up with an everlasting sincerity (Ephesians 3:16-21). Seek out help as you give your life to Christ. I am praying that you will reach safety from the evils that surround you. Do not fear: God will pull you through.
To the happily single:
Having chosen my singleness, I have not forgotten you! Congrats on your commitment to Christ. I know the frustrated feeling of reading yet another magazine article focused on soothing V-day loneliness all too well. Think of this Valentine’s Day as the perfect opportunity for you and Jesus to express your love for each other. After all, He is our Lover, right?
May you and Jesus experience overwhelming closeness as you celebrate the life-long commitment you have made to our eternal Savior and Lord.
Regardless of person or background, God provides this Valentine’s Day with a purpose. Go forth and seek His purposes out as others forget the true Love this love-filled season.
