Something to think about when you consider a partner

I hear so many young men and women say that ,"he's such a good man".  or "she's a good person".  That very well may be, but a man or a woman who has a personal relationship with Christ has a place to go when they come to the end of their rope, or as some say when they come to the end of themselves.  We all come to the end of ourselves.  The devil is expert at making us angry. We become exasperated by some person or situation.  It happens.  What counts is the way we handle it.

 Light has nothing in common with darkness. A born again person has nothing in common with a person who continues to remain stubbornly in darkness. When a person who doesn't know Christ personally comes to the end of their rope due to something that truly frustrated them or made them extremely angry, you are likely to hear *#! I can't believe it! I could just kill somebody! What were you thinking you #*#! When they come to the end of their rope, they hang themselves or someone else with it.  There was no where for them to go when they came to the end of their own self control because they didn't know how to surrender it to Christ, so they came to the end of their rope and they let go.

When you are around a person who knows Christ he or she will also experience the frustration of coming to the end of their rope. The attacks that a practicing Christian will experience may be far worse and may be constant. The difference here is that you should hear, " Oh man, I can't believe this! What in the world! Lord, please give me strength.  I surrender to you.  Please help me get through this in your way.  I can't do this on my own without messing up."  When a child of Christ reaches the end of their rope, they have a place to go.  They step, crawl, fall, or jump into the hands of Christ.  They know how to give the situation over to Him.  He truly is love. 

Remember that the word says "Love is patient, love is kind, love isn't jealous, doesn't boast, and isn't prideful. It doesn't dishonor others and isn't consumed with self.  It doesn't get easily angry and doesn't keep a record of all the things you've done wrong.  Love doesn't delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.  Love ALWAYS protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

If you are thinking about becoming close with a person who says they love you, but they don't have those qualities, think again....please.  Love doesn't stop trying to please God.  God never fails to answer.  Don't sell yourself short.  That kind of love is possible and not just from God.  God is the embodiment of all those qualities.  God is love.  We strive for those qualities.  We are His children.  Walk in love and don't open any doors until God's proven love walks up to you.