When Breaks Are Appropriate

by Sarah
(CA)

I know that our society warns against this, but I would like to say that, if you and your partner are trying to live for God, and you're in love with your boyfriend/girlfriend and you are sure that they love you back, a break once in a while is perfectly OK in the context of dating.

I am a college student, and I am currently on a break from my boyfriend of eleven months. Before we broke up, we were having a lot of sexual temptation but we wanted to honor God. Because of the tension, there was a lot of anger and anxiety (some of which actually had little or nothing to do with sex) between us that we were taking out on each other.

We both love each other dearly, but a break has been good for us! We're just friends for right now, and we give each other a lot of space. For me personally, this break has given me the opportunity to rely more on my friends and on God, and I can now focus on praising God without the high level of temptation.

I want to get back together with my boyfriend, but the last time we talked it over, my boyfriend said that he thinks the space is helping us both grow in God, and focus on school.

Therefore,
1. I know that my boyfriend is still genuinely pursuing a relationship with God whether or not I am in the picture (therefore he's being honest about his relationship with God) and
2. I know now that God wants me to focus on Him for right now, and I am now learning not to be anxious about my relationship.

A break will help determine if your boyfriend/girlfriend really loves you. If they don't date anyone else during your break and they eagerly come back after the break, it means they really want YOU.

Also, if they are OK with being single for however long you decide is appropriate, then they probably are putting faith in God and you-- because the reality is, a lot of people don't want to be single!!