You are Valuable, and Your Virginity is a Treasure

"There is a dullness, monotony, sheer boredom in all of life when virginity and purity are no longer protected and prized. By trying to grab fulfillment everywhere, we find it nowhere." ~Elisabeth Elliot

Recently, and more often as each day goes by, I notice how very little respect our culture has for themselves and their purity. Virginity is seen as a "bad word", and we're told to truly become a man or woman we have to get rid of it ASAP. Every day girls and guys are bombarded with inappropriate images, songs, and t.v. shows that justify and excuse casual sexual relationships, implying that it is okay to do what you want and give into temptation. Our culture does not value sexual integrity and purity. Instead it values instant gratification and pleasure. But with that pleasure comes many consequences that are often not considered when decisions need to made; will you say yes or no to the temptation?

"'Everything is permissible'- but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible'- but not everything is constructive" ~1 Corinthians 10:23. Just because we can get away with almost anything (ie. sex, drugs, alcohol), doesn't mean that it is okay for us to do.

Purity is not just a physical process- it is mental, emotional, and spiritual as well. While we need to honor our bodies, we also need to protect our minds and emotions. The consequences that can come from premarital sex are not just physical, such as STD's or pregnancy. They can also be emotional, causing baggage for future relationships, maybe leading to trust or self-image issues, and regret. Also present will be mental and spiritual consequences. Giving in to sex, or other temptations like porn, can also cause different kinds of addictions. Those addictions become spiritual strongholds, where the devil gains control of your heart and mind a bit at a time.

"...Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship." ~Romans 12:1

Purity and lust are issues for everyone, guys and girls. It's sad to think about the struggle that your friends and family may be dealing with living with the junk society puts out for us. While guys are stimulated visually and physically, girls are stimulated emotionally, so the triggers for temptation vary. If everyone works to protect themselves though, there won't be issues so many issues having to avoid temptation.

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control [your] own body in a way that is holy and honorable.."~1 Thessalonians 4:3-4.

You are a valuable treasure in God's eyes. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and your virginity is a gift; that you can only give away once.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 says," Flee from sexual immorality...Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." We need to RUN away from any sort of sexual action or temptation; put yourself far, far away from it to keep it from coming back into your mind and life, because "the spirit is willing, but the body is weak," (Matthew 26:41).

We need to honor God and ourselves by protecting one of our most valuable gifts, and simply save sex for marriage.

Sex was designed by God to take place only inside of a marriage between a husband and wife. And God has one person picked out just for you to share your life with. One person. So until you're married you need to honor the Lord with your body. Purity takes care of that, and saves you for the one person you are meant to spend your life with. By staying pure and valuing this treasure you have, you are also saying something to your future spouse. You're telling them that you are waiting for them.  And you're telling them, even now, that you love and value them, because you're willing to wait.

If you are struggling with sexual temptation, know you can overcome it, and you are not alone. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 tells us," So if you think that you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." It's encouraging to know that God can provide ways to escape, especially when we know that He has gone through the same struggle > "Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted... [God] has been tempted in every way just as we are-yet was without sin" ~Hebrews 2:18, 4:15b.  Also know that when temptations arise, they are not coming from God- "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed..." ~James 1:13-14. 

You can overcome the fight to protect your virginity, you just have to be willing. Don't give in to the pressure of society- it's not worth it.Don't be discouraged. God loves you more than anything in this world and He doesn't want you to get hurt. He saves us from trouble because He loves us more than we can ever imagine (Psalm 18:19). In a world full of sin, be the shining light. Treasure who you are, and treasure your purity. <3

If you have already given away your gift of your virginity, or it has been taken from you as a result of some sort of sexual abuse, know that there can be healing. If you are willing to now offer your body to God, and obey Him, you can become pure again, and God understands your heart. You can talk to a responsible, Christian adult you know about how to do this. 

(The books referenced in this post were: The Holy Bible, NIV;  "Every Young Women's Battle"; and "And the Bride Wore White, Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity").  

New Year, New Goals

It is a new year, and another chance to start fresh. I was thinking about my goals for this new year. They're not really resolutions, but things that would come out of a different attitude.

• Be willing to step out of my comfort zone and watch God work in ways He wouldn't be able to if I wasn't able to let go. Taking small "risks", as in trying new things, forming new opinions.
• Deal with the crap. I need to stop brushing things under the rug and face them as they happen. Things don't get solved when you avoid them, and they can end up becoming bigger issues. I need to work on being upfront and honest with people when it's necessary so that friendships aren't broken when they don't need to be.
• Stop interrupting. I miss a lot when I spend half of a conversation  jumping in with a lot of ,"Oh yeahs! I was thinkings.." Or throwing in my thoughts or ideas. And it's rude, so I'll work on that..
• I want to mend friendships that haven't gone the way I envisioned. Because my friends mean the world to me, and I need to stop worrying about embarrassing myself by trying to be the better person and work things out. It's freaky to confront hurtful situations, but it needs to be done sooner or later. 

And some suggestions for anyone who needs ideas:

• Don't spend so much time being angry or complaining. Be thankful for everything you're blessed with.
• Put yourself in other people's shoes. I know you hear it all the time, so its gotten old, but seriously. Often times we wouldn't be so hard on people if we just thought of what they may be currently dealing with.
• Take things one step at a time.  A lot of unnecessary stress comes from jumping ahead of yourself. 
• You don't have to like everyone, but remember to love everyone. We could all use some love through every day, but a lot of people forget that they can be an encourager.

Remember, things could always be worse. And if you saw everyone else's struggles, yours wouldn't seem so awful. Don't be discouraged; this year is going to be a great one. <3