To younger Christians out there, you have the right to take decisions and be in-charge of your own life but more importantly, you have to allow God's word, rod and staff to direct and comfort you. It's very difficult at this stage of life, trying to distinguish our choices from God's decisions. Our desires from God's will. But I believe God will always guide us aright. For he has promised to live with us every second of our lives. The question I always asked myself then was directed towards; "Dating as a young Christian" (Here Dating/Relationship are used interchangeably) Maybe you have all the answers to this question or maybe you don't yet, but I'll like to share some thoughts with you. The big reality is that most kind of dating and relationships we find ourselves in, when compared to the work/task ahead of us as believers, the risk of sinful act involved, the time, mental/emotional stress and energy required to manage whatever the outcome, you'll find out they are not very necessary now. Hugging, cuddling, touching, kissing and other processes to be sincere, do not give joy and satisfaction nor add value to one's life. They just arouse our emotions and still leave us empty, most times with regrets when we are not inline with God's will. True joy, satisfaction and fulfilment is found only when purpose is discovered. Most times I find it difficult hearing from God, believing him and even receiving answers to my prayers when I am in right standing with him, talk more when I'm compromising my faith. I can't imagine living life again as a believer in guilt and regret of my own sin. Find the reason why God has brought you this far, that's more important. And ask yourself this question, "Is the pain, suffering and death of Christ worth the life I am living today?" You spent approximately 9 months in your Mother's womb all alone unless you had a twin which I guess you weren't even talking to. Who said you cannot do without some kind of friendship and relationship. Also, don't think you can't do without sexual thoughts and feelings. There are normal people like us who have dedicated their lives to live as monks, hermits and some have consciously abstained themselves from any form of physical pleasure just to get to a religious or psychological height. You even can live throughout your life without these things. My major concern is you, your service to God and your making heaven. So, get up and stop compromising with negative impulses, wait for the right time. Focus on God, your future, your dreams and whatever will give your life a good meaning. God has already given to us victory over our thoughts, desires and will. Some people enter into relationships with the right and positive mindset maybe to grow, help and assist each other but at the end of the day, they still get caught up with same issue. But you can still be in a relationship and still represent Christ, especially when you are more matured to understand life, take right decisions and also for marriage. God's grace is always there to catch us even before we fall. You are not alone in this struggle, I am too and many others are as well. But God's grace has guaranteed us our Victory. Stand for purity. The Top is ours! Take care. From Johnson Crystal. #HopefulMeNetwork #RealityLifeTalks