How do you all feel about dating? Is it important? Why or why not? Can or does it mess with your heart? In his book called I kissed dating good bye the Harris said that giving you heart way is a bad thing because when you do marry your wife you was only giving her the left overs.

Hi srose26, My hope is that when I date, that I will be dating my future wife. That's probably the hope of most. The Lord is fixing so many issue, maturing me so much more than I had been. It's great to see that my wife, if the Lord intends me to find one, will have fewer problems to deal with in our (possible) future relationship. Sure, it can mess with your heart. Probably we began dating in the first place thinking he/she is THE ONE, or COULD BE, and I will never have to date again. There is real pain from a failed dating relationship. It lasts for a time. But that the Lord heals us and helps us move on. I haven't dated for years. Most of the time it is okay, but sometimes, I wish Jesus would bring my future wife and I together soon. On reflection, say, a few days later, I see that the Lord's plan is best, and am at peace in Him. Every day I pray for my wife, even though I don't know her, or may never have one. Jesus would be able to refill our hearts, so that, though we gave our heart away previously to the wrong someone, it can be overflowing for our Lord's intended spouse. He is able to do more than we ask or think. And that's a lot! Well, those are some of my thoughts. God bless, Jason

srose - why all the questions about dating? You're married. Just curious.

Here's the question that needs to be answered... what is the purpose of dating? Once you answer that, then you can determine whether it's healthy or not!

My first post on MyPraize. Looks like a great place. I like the advice of asking the purpose of dating. It helps to identify the motivation as worldly or Christian. Another question I think should be asked by every Christian in our choices is, "Is it Christ honoring? In general for young people just starting their adulthood I believe the Christian approach should be to prepare themselves for the responsibilities of adulthood and marriage spiritually, emotionally, and financially before considering getting involved. Doing this process backwards has led many to dishonor Christ by divorcing. Was that too much info for the first post? Regards, SteveB