Am I iN lOvE?????

The following article is from -
How Can You Tell If You're In Love?
From CONNECT Email - Parent Edition - Week 29
by WisdomWorks Ministries

Now, that's a good question. Most of what we call "love" today, and what we see in films and hear in music, is not love at all. It's infatuation. And infatuation is not a good foundation for a lasting relationship. Here are some differences:

- Love gives, but infatuation is selfish. Love wants what is best for the other person and is willing to make sacrifices to make sure that happens. Infatuation gets mad when it's needs aren't met. It demands it's own way, now!

- Love is secure; infatuation is jealous. Infatuation is very possessive. It has to "own" that other person, and it gets it's identity from being with that person. Love is glad for the other person to have lots of friends and to enjoy other relationships. It knows that broader, stronger relationships can only strengthen the one who is loved.

- Love takes time to develop, but infatuation can flame up instantly. In fact, people can become infatuated with people they've never met! (Now there's a rich relationship!) Love is patient and is willing to wait however long it takes to take the next step.

- Love is deep, but infatuation is superficial. Love looks at a person's character and values the person because of what's on the inside. It doesn't change if the outward appearance changes. Infatuation is usually based on appearance and the level of "cool" or sexiness.

It's no wonder that people get so confused about love. They don't see much of it in high school or in the media. If a person wants to know if he or she is really in love, here's some advice:

1. Look for God's leading, not hormonal gratification. The Scriptures say to value people, not to use them as sex objects (I Thess 4:3). If physical touch is a main ingredient in the relationship, back off and see if the relationship can be grounded on nonphysical communication.

2. Take plenty of time. Hormones push people to take steps they shouldn't take that quickly, if at all. Don't be in any hurry. Focus on communicating and getting to know each other in all kinds of situations.

3. Get input of wiser, older Christians. Yes, parents were young once, too. And aunts, uncles, pastors, and other adults can be a great source of wisdom, but choose carefully! Some of these folks may not know any more about love than a stump!

4. Enjoy a lot of relationships. Don't get into an exclusive relationship too quickly. Friends may be pairing off, and a person may feel a lot of pressure to find somebody, too. I hope they don't do it. Group dates and lots of friends are the way to go until they know lots of people well and they're old enough to be strong and not give in to pressure.

5. If they feel pressure, they need to run! Love doesn't pressure people. If someone feels pressure to be in an exclusive relationship or have sex, that's a sure sign that's not the person to hang out with.

Dating can be a lot of fun, if young people are wise and strong, and if they pick good people to hang out with.

CONNECT is brought to you by
Mark Matlock and WisdomWorks Ministries
visit us at planetwisdom.

I love you guys!
Dogledanji!!!