Session 3
Ready to give up on relationships?
From Fearless Dating: A 6-Day Devotional
On Valentine's Day, it's easy to think about what could have been. Some of us may have been considering compromising our beliefs to be with that person we like, or maybe we already did. Maybe some of us are hungering for the promise of Proverbs 23:17-18: hope.
In Proverbs, the writer asks us not to envy sinners. There are worse things than being single on Valentine's Day, being in a dating relationship and wanting to move to the next stage of commitment or having some bumps in our marriage. Acting on any of these impulses in a way that compromises our integrity will not be worth it in the long run.
Putting our relationships in God’s hands brings hope.
For those of us who have already made mistakes with relationships, God offers hope (1 John 1:9). He is always ready to forgive and to offer a fresh start. We can give Him a chance by asking Him to be first in our life. On this day after Valentine’s day, he'll lead us to the life for which He has made us.
In Proverbs 23:17-18, the author reminds those who fear the Lord that they have "a future hope" which cannot be taken away. Putting our relationships in God’s hands brings hope. Though there may be changes He wants us to make, we can be content with a Christ-focused life instead of wanting what God prohibits. His plans for our life and relationships will always be beyond what we could ever imagine (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 12:2).
Reflect:
- Are you compromising yourself to get the kind of relationship you envy? Is this relationship or behavior pleasing to God? If you are compromising, what is one step that you need to take to begin living with God-centered relationships?
- Have you asked Jesus to be Lord of all aspects of your life, including your relationships? If not, what can you do today to give that aspect of your life over to Him?
- Do you trust Jesus to bring hope that will never be cut off? Why or why not?